Harvard is one of the best, and one of the best respected, universities in the world. Simply wearing a Harvard sweatshirt conveys a message of exceptionalism and exclusivity that packs a social punch, and that only takes a trip to the bookstore. Where Harvard truly shines, though, is in the library stacks, the science labs, the dining rooms, and the residence halls. It is where innovation happens, big and small, and where sparks catch light. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was 4.2%. Even more exceptionally, the yield rate, or the percentage of accepted students who choose Harvard, was an unheard of 84%.

Colorado College offers a unique educational experience and academic community that attracts strong students with an equally strong focus. The most unique piece of CC is the way they structure their academic program, the Block Plan. Through the Block Plan, CC students take one class at a time, diving completely into a subject or niche for 3.5 weeks of immersion. This program isn’t for everyone, but many students thrive in it. It has certainly made CC popular among small liberal arts colleges, and the acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 was 26%. You should note, though, that the acceptance rate for Early Decision I and II, and Early Action, was a little over 30% that same year, while the Regular Decision acceptance rate was only 18%. 

For a university with an acceptance rate in the single digits, Vanderbilt has a surprisingly warm reputation. They have invested heavily in residential life, interdisciplinary learning, undergraduate research, and a campus community where students know one another beyond the classroom. It's academically demanding, but it isn't built around the idea that success comes at someone else's expense.

Washington University in St. Louis is a leading research university ‘between the coasts’ of the USA. Two decades ago, it offered an outstanding education but wasn’t all that well known on the coasts. Over the past 20 years, though, it has become a top choice for strong students and the acceptance rate has dropped by half. For the Class of 2029, the first-year acceptance rate was only 12% overall. 

Harvard. It’s a one word brand at this point, as well as a coveted educational opportunity. Harvard is one of, if not the, most famous education institutions in the world. So, there is not much we can say about Harvard that hasn’t been said a million times. It’s outstanding, it’s desirable, and it’s extremely difficult to get into. Every year, we get great students into Harvard — many of whom might surprise you, as they haven’t done all the fancy programs or flashy extracurriculars that students are led to believe they need to do to get in. They are simply awesome humans with strong, curiosity-driven narratives. You need that kind of narrative to beat the Harvard odds. The acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was only 4.2%. 

Are you a computer genius? Do you dream of Hotlanta living? Trying to be the next Sundar Pichai? If you answered yes to any of these questions, Georgia Tech might be the perfect school for you (honestly, if you even just know who Sundar Pichai is, you should probably check out Georgia Tech).

Claremont McKenna is a small, private liberal arts college in Claremont, California with massive resources and opportunities. As one of The Claremont Colleges, a consortium of schools that share resources, students at Claremont benefit from the opportunities provided by a large university while benefitting from a close-knit community. There are 23 majors, and the top programs are Economics, International Relations, and Government. The acceptance rate is only 9.4%. 

Columbia University is old (it was originally King’s College back in 1754), it is storied, and it is in the heart of a city that is a global capital for business, finance, art, and innovation. Columbia College is the liberal arts undergraduate college of the university, and it is where the vast majority of undergraduate programs are based. Most students who go to Columbia are in the college, and once you are on campus it’s easy to fit in and embrace the opportunity. Getting in, though, is very difficult. The overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2030 was only 4.23%.