Pomona is a small liberal arts college in Claremont, California. It is a member of the Claremont Colleges, so Pomona students can take advantage of resources at Scripps College, Claremont McKenna College, Harvey Mudd College, and Pitzer – all of which are within walking distance. Pomona stopped reporting their acceptance rate, but know that it is incredibly difficult to get into. The acceptance rate for the class of 2023 was 7.4%, and we imagine it is even lower now.

Haverford is a tiny liberal arts college, home to about ~1,300 undergraduates, located in Haverford, PA. It’s a part of the “Tri-College Consortium,” which includes nearby Swarthmore and Bryn Mawr. It’s about 20 minutes from downtown Philly, which is great if you want to be near a city but to still attend a school with a “cozy, campus-y vibe.” We see you, wanting the best of both worlds. Haverford’s acceptance rate is around 16%.

Smith is an all-women’s private liberal arts college in Northampton, Massachusetts. Those who choose to attend Smith will be encouraged to study multiple disciplines, participate in internships, and engage with politics. The acceptance rate hovers around 31%.

Syracuse University is a private research institution located in—you guessed it—Syracuse, New York. Syracuse is a large private school (15,000ish undergrads) located in a college town. It’s notably cold, but a fun campus. The school offers 200 majors and has highly-regarded communications and business programs, among others. While there’s something for everyone at Syracuse, the school is also known to be great for veterans. The acceptance rate is 50%.

Bard is a super small liberal arts college in Annandale-on-Hudson, New York. Interdisciplinary studies are encouraged, and all freshman at Bard start by taking the same core courses.

Occidental is small liberal arts college in Los Angeles, California. A vast majority of students on campus are involved with either volunteer work or community engagement, and the acceptance rate is around 37%.

Williams College is a small college located in the forests of Massachusetts in idyllic Williamstown. The school has about 2,000 undergraduates, it’s an intimate vibe, and is known for its high-quality faculty, super small class-size, and its strong liberal arts roots. Williams students *love* interdisciplinary studies. Their acceptance rate hovers around 10%.

NYU is a city campus in the truest sense. Founded in 1831, this university is a perfect blend of historic prestige and cutting-edge culture. With 50,000 students, it’s big for a private school and its student body is packed into the heart of lower Manhattan (or wherever it is they choose to rest their heads from Brooklyn on). NYU offers 19 schools and colleges from business to arts and just like its hometown, there’s something for everyone. The school also offers an expansive study abroad program, with campuses in Abu Dhabi and Shanghai. The acceptance rate was 15% this year, making NYU highly competitive.

Bryn Mawr is a small women’s liberal arts college in Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania. The school has relationships with Haverford, Swarthmore, and The University of Pennsylvania, so Bryn Mawr students can cross-register for courses at those institutions. The acceptance rate is around 33%.

Brandeis is a private research university in Waltham, Massachusetts. About 3,600 undergraduate students attend the Boston adjacent school that is known for its strong liberal arts program and attracting students who are interested in social justice work. The acceptance rate hovers around 30%. Their supplement is broken down below:

Vassar is a private liberal arts college in Poughkeepsie, New York. Vassar draws students who are passionate and engaged in activism, and the school values diversity. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 23.5%.

Emory is a private research university in Atlanta, Georgia. About 8,000 undergraduate students attend the school, and the academic programs are rigorous. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 17.5%.

USC continues to be one of our most asked about schools. In addition to stellar academic programs, the school spirit is unbeatable and the school is home to numerous special programs and opportunities. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 16%.

USC is a private research university in Los Angeles, California with about 20,000 undergraduate students. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 16%.

Vanderbilt is a medium-sized private research university in Nashville, Tennessee. Students who attend the school rave about the academic programs and the booming social scene. Vanderbilt is often referred to as the “Harvard of the South,” and the acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 9%.

Stanford University. It’s a school so prestigious that just its name may as well constitute a complete sentence. Yes, it is an Ivy League equivalent, but it stands alone as one of the best schools in the world. Located in Stanford, California with an undergraduate student body of a little over 7,000. Stanford stopped publishing their acceptance rate last year, so few people outside of the Office of Admission know precisely how many people get in. What we can say for certain, however, is that the acceptance rate is extraordinarily low. The last reported rate, for the class of 2020, was under 5%. There is no reason to believe it is higher now than it was then. Strap in, folks.

The University of Wisconsin—Madison is a public research university located in, well, Madison. The oldest and largest public school in the state, Wisconsin is known for its exceptional athletics. A proud member of the Big Ten, the school also offers a plethora of activities and clubs, including a robust Greek Life. Located in a popular college town for those who can handle winter, the school has more than 30,000 undergraduate students and an acceptance rate of 52%.