Access to higher education has increased dramatically in recent decades. However, not all universities and colleges welcome applications with open arms. Strong academic performance and test results can undoubtedly improve one’s prospects, but they may not be sufficient for admission to some universities. Join ViewCation as we take a look at the hardest colleges to get into in 2023.
Harvard University
Harvard University, based out of Cambridge, Massachusetts, is the envy of other schools and the desired destination of innumerable high-achieving teenagers. There are more than 32,000 students enrolled at this private Ivy League institution. Harvard presently holds the title of being the most challenging school to get into, with an all-time low acceptance rate of about 3.19% for the class of 2026. Out of the total number of 61,220 applicants, only 1,954 got admitted. Harvard takes into account a candidate’s overall character and potential in addition to their academic performance when determining admissions selections.
The school makes an earnest effort to read each application thoroughly and learn about each applicant’s academic goals, personal history, and extracurricular strengths. Admissions authorities rely significantly on individuals’ recommendations, interviews, and extracurricular activities to find exceptional candidates. An unbelievable 84% of accepted students choose to attend. That is to say, very few high school students consider Harvard as an alternative. There are more than 55 majors and 135 graduate-level concentrations available to students at Harvard.
Stanford University
Stanford is one of the world’s best research institutions and a top workforce supplier for the technology sector, and it is situated right in the center of Silicon Valley. Stanford has an acceptance rate of 3.95% for the class of 2025, which places it just marginally below Harvard. In 2021, the institution had a 23% increase, or an increase of 10,000 applications, over 2020’s numbers. In spite of this, just 2,190 people out of a total of 55,471 were admitted.
The admission rate for the class of 2026 hasn’t yet been made public; however, it is probably around or slightly below the rate from the previous year. Academic performance is the primary consideration in the admissions process at Stanford. However, the university takes into account more than just grades when making admissions decisions; they also consider extracurricular activities and personalized essays that shed light on an applicant’s character.
Princeton University
With an acceptance percentage of only 4.38% for the incoming class of 2025, Princeton is among the most selective universities in the world. Only 1,647 out of the 37,601 people who applied were accepted. Unfortunately, the school has decided not to release information about the class of 2026’s acceptance rate. This Ivy League school actively seeks out applicants who will enrich campus life and enrich the diversity of its student body.
Princeton does not need any particular GPA or number of A.P./honors credits from its candidates, but does look favorably on those who have taken such demanding coursework. Applicants at Princeton are more likely to get accepted if they have outstanding academic credentials as well as a history of significant extracurricular achievement, and a strong intellectual curiosity.
California Institute of Technology
Cal Tech, located in Pasadena, California, is widely regarded as one of the most competitive institutions of higher education in the United States. Caltech, a prestigious research university, accepted a mere 3.92% of freshmen applicants for the 2025 academic year. There were 13,026 candidates in total, but only 510 were accepted. Statistics for the incoming class of 2026 have not yet been revealed, but we know that the highly selective university admitted significantly fewer students than usual this year. When selecting new students, Caltech looks for those with a passion for science, engineering, mathematics, and technology, especially in the areas of chemistry, physics, and mathematics. In addition, individuals who have demonstrated an aptitude for teamwork, originality, and perseverance are also favored by the institution. Furthermore, Caltech places high importance on individuals with interests and hobbies outside of the STEM fields.
Yale University
With an admission rate of 4.47% for the incoming class of 2026, Yale remains among the most competitive universities in the country. This is a tiny decrease from the 4.62% acceptance rate the university had for the previous class of 2025. Of the 50,015 people who applied to be a part of the Class of 2026, only 2,234 were accepted. The admissions criteria of the university are a bit different from those of other Ivies. Yale is primarily interested in two qualities: the potential to make a positive impact in the world at large and the potential to make effective use of Yale’s resources. Even though non-academic elements are included, Yale is still an extremely selective university. The primary goal of admissions officials is to discover students with outstanding talent and academic promise based on a mix of grade point average, standardized test scores, and course load.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The acceptance percentage for the incoming class of 2026 at MIT, a top technical university, is shockingly low at 3.96%. As a percentage increase, it is equivalent to a 2% rise in interest for the 2021–2022 admissions cycle. Overall compatibility with the institution is the most weighted factor in determining admission to MIT; however, academic performance on standardized tests is still considered. Admissions officers at MIT look for applicants with a collaborative mindset and a commitment to helping their classmates succeed. It’s also important for MIT applicants to have experience working in teams, as the majority of classes and laboratories are structured around group projects. Students who aren’t afraid to try new things and fail sometimes aren’t given as much attention at MIT.
Unlike at many other top schools, MIT does not factor in legacy status when deciding who to admit. This means that having a parent or sibling who is an alumnus does not improve your chances of getting in. Using its rigorous admissions standards and extensive educational resources, MIT seeks the brightest and most inventive minds in mathematics, the sciences, engineering, and allied subjects. These people will one day redesign the world we all live in.
University of Chicago
As its name implies, Chicago, Illinois, is home to the private University of Chicago. The University of Chicago has joined the ranks of Stanford, Yale, and Columbia as one of the most selective universities in the world. About half of those who applied in 2005 were accepted by the institution. However, the situation is radically different now. Incredibly, only 5% of applicants were accepted into the class of 2025. This means that, out of a total of 37,977 candidates, a mere 1,898 were ultimately accepted. The average SAT score needed for admission to the university is 1545. Starting last year, the university began a test-optional admission system. The undergraduate division of the University of Chicago is known as “The College,” and it grants B.A. and B.S. degrees in roughly 50 different majors and subfields.
Columbia University
Columbia University has an acceptance rate of 3.73 percent for the incoming class of 2026, making it among the most competitive university in the U.S. Of the 60,377 people that applied, only 2,253 were chosen. This rate is just a tad lower than the 3.9% seen last year. When deciding which undergraduates to accept, Columbia considers a wide range of factors. These factors include extracurricular activities, community service, and leadership experience, in addition to academic performance. The university will consider your grades and the level of difficulty and breadth of your course selections. Not only do grades and test scores matter to Columbia’s admissions board, but so do extracurriculars and recommendations from others. Your capacity to make a good impact on your school is strongly correlated with your degree of participation both within and beyond the classroom. A total of 90 different bachelor’s degrees are available, and the university boasts a graduation rate of 95 percent on average and a student-to-teacher ratio of 6:1.
Brown University
The biggest number of candidates in Brown’s history were received this year, resulting in a record-low acceptance percentage of 5.03%. Out of 50,649 total candidates, only 2,546 were ultimately accepted. Each application is given a thorough analysis, taking into account the applicant’s high school performance and any relevant extracurricular activities and achievements. The culture of Brown University places a high value on participation outside of the classroom. Thus your extracurricular achievements will play a significant role in determining whether you will be accepted. Admissions officers at Brown University read essays and conduct interviews to identify candidates who will enrich and advance the university’s intellectual community.
University of Pennsylvania
Penn’s acceptance rate for freshmen decreased from 8.6 percent to 5.8 percent between the classes of 2024 and 2025. From a total of 56,332 candidates, only 3,304 were accepted due to the change in the admission rate. The University of Pennsylvania will not announce its acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 this year, following the lead of Princeton and other prestigious institutions. Academic rigor is highly valued here at the university. The best candidates have completed challenging coursework and earned good grades. Furthermore, Penn seeks out those that have a passion for making a difference in the world and who have something special to offer. These personal qualities are often assessed by looking at an applicant’s extracurricular activities, interviews, and the two personal essays that are particular to Penn.
Duke University
The urban campus of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, is home to a moderately sized private research institution. Given Duke’s unparalleled blend of academic prominence and extracurricular enthusiasm, it’s hardly surprising that the university is currently more exclusive than some Ivies. Duke, like the Ivies, consistently turns down valedictorians and students with flawless SAT and ACT scores. In order to stand out from the pool of other talented students who are also hoping to join the Blue Devils, the qualified applicants will need to have stellar academic records, compelling essays, and unique skills. The university had a 6.2% acceptance rate for the class of 2026, admitting 3,100 students out of a total of 50,002. In comparison to the 8% acceptance rate of the 2020-2021 school year, this is a significant drop. The typical SAT score needed to enroll at this university is between 1480 and 1570.
Vanderbilt University
Vanderbilt was notably competitive this year, accepting only 6.1% of first-year candidates. It’s worth noting that Vanderbilt, like many of the other institutions mentioned, considers applicants as a whole. The top university focuses on five main areas when making admissions decisions: academic performance, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, and personal statements. Vanderbilt emphasizes that “context is king,” meaning that the evaluation of your academic performance will take into account the environment of your school and the courses and programs that are accessible to you.
Johns Hopkins University
Johns Hopkins has joined the ranks of the Ivy League, Stanford, and a select group of other prestigious liberal arts universities as one of the most selective institutions in the world. With a 6.5% acceptance rate, only 2,414 out of 37,150 applicants were considered for the class of 2026. The current student body comprises a demographic that, on average, places in the top ten percent of their graduating high school classes. This implies that having the highest possible GPA in the most demanding curriculum is essentially a requirement for consideration. There are 82 different bachelor’s programs available at this school, and the student-to-teacher ratio is 6 to 1. Applicants should expect an average SAT score of roughly 1540 to be competitive at this university.
There you have it. It’s now time to hear from you. Can you share any personal experiences or stories of students who have been accepted into these colleges?