Top Schools and Elite Colleges: How to Get into the Best Colleges in the U.S.

As you begin your college search, you may be wondering about elite colleges and top schools in the U.S. — and you’re not alone. Every year, thousands of students submit applications to these highly selective universities. Why? Because, despite their selective nature, elite universities offer countless benefits, including rigorous academic environments and unparalleled resources.

While Ivy League schools are often seen as the gold standard, many other top colleges offer similar advantages. These schools provide challenging academics, world-class facilities, and exciting career opportunities, making them strong options for students looking for a top-tier education.

But, what does it really take to get into the top schools in the US? As acceptance rates at elite colleges drop year after year, more students are seeking answers to this question. In this article, we will explore the mystique of top schools, giving you concrete ways to improve your odds of being admitted to these elite universities.

Some of the topics we will cover in this article include:

An exploration of what makes elite colleges “elite”
A variety of elite colleges lists, including the Ivy League, schools beyond the Ivy League, and top liberal arts schools
How to evaluate and use college rankings, including Ivy League rankings
What you can expect from an education at top ranked colleges
Tips for how to strengthen your applications to elite colleges in the U.S.
An honest analysis of the benefits and disadvantages of attending elite schools, and more!

Without a doubt, elite colleges have a lot to offer students. However, before you decide whether to apply to elite colleges, you must first understand what makes universities “elite” and how to decide if they’re the right fit for you.

What makes a university “elite”?

There are several factors which define elite schools. Though somewhat subjective in nature, elite colleges share the following characteristics:

Elite University Characteristics

High academic standards

Top schools have high academic standards, both in the admissions process and during a student’s education. For example, the average weighted GPA of a student admitted to Harvard is a 4.18. Once enrolled, courses at elite colleges often require extensive reading, writing, research, and studying.

Historical prestige

Many elite universities have long histories of graduating influential leaders. As a result, they have gained prestige on an international scale. For example, 16 U.S. presidents attended Ivy League schools as undergrads or graduate students. Additionally, many of the top 10 universities in the USA have graduated numerous Nobel Prize winners.

Selectivity

As you might guess, most elite universities are difficult to get into. Many elite colleges have acceptance rates under 10%, which means far more qualified students apply than there are spots available.

Strong financial resources

Thanks to their wealthy alumni, most top schools in the U.S. have large endowments (donated money used to support a school’s operations). Larger endowments mean these schools can offer students more benefits. This includes generous need-based financial aid, stronger academic programs, and state-of-the-art facilities.

Significant faculty accomplishments

In addition to attracting top students, elite colleges also attract top faculty. Many faculty members at top schools are trailblazers and thought leaders in their respective fields. Connecting with these faculty members can help students learn from the very best thinkers, as well as gain access to unique research and career opportunities.

While most elite colleges share these features, the cornerstones of what makes a college “elite” are their low acceptance rates and high academic qualifications. These two features translate to prestige, leading schools to attract the most accomplished students around the world.

Ranking Top Schools

One measure of top schools’ prestige is their rankings. College rankings began in the 1980s but have gained heightened significance in the past 20 years. Schools are ranked nationally and internationally by various ranking sources, such as U.S. News and Forbes. These organizations rank colleges based on a variety of factors, including their endowments, selectivity, research output, and graduate outcomes. Before using college rankings to build your college list, make sure you understand how each source you use calculates its rankings.

While college rankings change from year to year, many elite colleges consistently rank among the top schools in the country. For example, Ivy League rankings remain steadily high, with schools like Princeton and Harvard often topping lists. Some elite schools which are not part of the Ivy League, such as MIT and Stanford, also consistently rank among the top 10 universities in the USA.

Many students and families look to college rankings when deciding where to apply. Indeed, rankings can help give an overall sense of a college’s opportunities, resources, and name recognition. However, rankings should not be the only deciding factor when building a college list. Students should research schools before applying to learn about their specific academic and extracurricular offerings, as well as campus culture, all of which can greatly shape a college experience. By building a college list solely based on college rankings, students run the risk of overlooking schools that are an amazing fit for their academic and personal needs. Indeed, the very best school for you may not appear in any of the top colleges’ lists.

Elite colleges lists and rankings

While elite schools share some characteristics, there is also a wide array of types of elite colleges. Many are focused on the liberal arts, while others are more math- and science- focused. Some of the best colleges in the U.S. are also public schools, while others are private. Indeed, some elite colleges have come to be known by tag names that indicate shared attributes, such as location or academic focus.

Groups of Elite Colleges

The Ivy League

Composed of eight private elite universities, Ivy League rankings are some of the highest in the nation. The Ivy League schools are known internationally for graduating some of the most accomplished and powerful leaders. We will share more about these schools and how they gained their prestige in the next section.

Seven Sisters

These seven all-women’s liberal arts colleges are known for their prestigious education. They include Barnard, Bryn Mawr, Vassar, Wellesley, Mount Holyoke, Smith, and Radcliffe College, which formally merged with Harvard University in 1999.

Little Ivies

Along the same lines as the Seven Sisters, but open to students of all genders, the Little Ivies are private, liberal arts colleges. They include schools like Amherst College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Wesleyan University, and Williams College, among many others. Though sometimes lesser known, these Little Ivies offer a top-notch education.

Southern Ivies

As their name implies, these elite colleges are all located in the Southern part of the United States and offer an Ivy League-level education. They include schools like Duke, Emory, Rice, and Vanderbilt.

Public Ivies

The final category of elite universities we will mention are the Public Ivies. These are elite universities that are also public, and include schools like UC Berkeley, the University of Michigan, UNC-Chapel Hill, and UT Austin.

As we mentioned above, these top schools are ranked each year by several sources, including U.S. News’ Best National University Rankings, Forbes’ List of America’s Top Colleges, and Elite U.S. Colleges’ Elite35. These rankings differ yearly and by publication; therefore, they are subject to change. Coming up, we’ll dive further into some of the country’s most elite colleges.

The Ivy League

At the top of most elite colleges’ lists are the Ivy League. However, contrary to popular belief, the Ivy League was not created based on academics. In fact, the Ivy League was originally an athletic conference of schools that competed against one another. Today, however, these schools are considered some of the most elite schools in the country and are known for their selective admissions processes. The eight Ivy League schools are:

The Ivy League’s appeal comes from its several-hundred-year legacy of academic prestige, deeply rooted traditions, and global recognition. Ivy League rankings are consistently high in U.S. News college rankings and other sources. However, there are many top schools in the U.S. which are not part of the Ivy League — let’s learn more about them.

Top schools beyond the Ivies

Outside of the Ivy League, there are several top schools which are equally well known. These include top ranked colleges like Stanford, MIT, Duke, UChicago, and CalTech. These schools consistently rank among the best colleges in the U.S. and the world, thanks to their academic rigor, research output, and industry influence. For example, UChicago is known for producing some of the leading research and thinking on economics, and MIT is well-known for its math and engineering innovation.

Indeed, Ivy League schools tend to have a liberal arts focus, while some of the other top schools in the U.S. have more narrow academic focuses. While the Ivy League schools are concentrated in the northeastern region of the U.S., these top schools are spread across all regions. Finally, while Ivy League schools are historically known for their exclusive nature and attracting the wealthiest members of society, they are, like other top ranked colleges, slowly beginning to include students from other socioeconomic and culturally diverse backgrounds.

What is the #1 college in the U.S.?

In our discussion of top ranked colleges, you may be wondering, “What is the #1 college in the U.S.?” Undoubtedly, the answer depends on each student’s needs and desires from a school. However, according to Forbes and U.S. News college rankings, Princeton University is the #1 college in the U.S.

Princeton is a private school and member of the Ivy League located in Princeton, New Jersey. The university is highly ranked due to a combination of its prestige, research, faculty, resources, and achievements — like graduating 29 Nobel Prize winners. While the school has a range of strong undergraduate and graduate programs, it is also known for focusing on undergraduate education. The student-to-faculty ratio remains low and students graduate at extremely high rates with impressive career outcomes.

While Princeton deserves its accolades for its’ student and faculty accomplishments, there are many other schools which are known for similar achievements. Up next, we will expand our view to look at the 12 top schools in the U.S.

12 Best Colleges in the U.S.

In this section, we will list the top 12 colleges in the U.S., according to U.S. News college rankings. Without further ado, here they are:

Top 12 Colleges in US

1. Princeton University

As noted above, Princeton ranks at the top of our best colleges list. With an acceptance rate of 4%, Princeton is one of the country’s most selective universities. Some of the most popular majors at Princeton are in the social sciences, engineering, and biomedical sciences.

2. Massachusetts Institute of Technology

Ranked second on the list of top schools in the U.S. is the engineering mecca known as MIT. Located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, MIT also has a strong business school. The school’s average SAT score is 1543, a near perfect score.

3. Harvard University

Though arguably the most well-known school worldwide, and certainly in the United States, Harvard comes in third on our list of top ranked colleges. Harvard is also located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, and has a 3% acceptance rate.

4. Stanford University

One of the top schools in the U.S. is Stanford University, located just outside Palo Alto, California. Due to its proximity to Silicon Valley, Stanford attracts plenty of computer science majors. However, many of its programs are strong and the school boasts a 4% overall acceptance rate.

5. Yale University

Coming in fifth on our list of top schools is Yale University. A member of the Ivy League, Yale is situated in New Haven, Connecticut. While most of its academic programs are strong, Yale’s most popular majors are in the social sciences and biomedical sciences.

6. California Institute of Technology

At #6 on the top colleges list is CalTech. A small school with only 1,000 undergraduates, CalTech is located in Pasadena, California. It is known for attracting computer science and engineering students.

7. Duke University

The seventh school on our list of best colleges in the U.S. is Duke University in Durham, North Carolina. The average SAT for admitted Duke students is 1520-1570. Duke is ranked #2 for nursing programs in the nation.

8. Johns Hopkins University

Another one of the top 10 universities in the USA is Johns Hopkins University, located in Baltimore, Maryland. Known for its focus on the medical sciences, Johns Hopkins has an 8% acceptance rate.

9. Northwestern University

At #9 on our best colleges list is Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern has a 7% acceptance rate and is particularly strong in engineering, economics, and psychology.

10. University of Pennsylvania

The tenth school on our list of top ranked colleges is UPenn in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Famous for its business school, UPenn is one of the larger elite schools with nearly 10,000 undergraduates.

11. Cornell University

At #11 on the list of top schools in the U.S. is Cornell University, situated in Ithaca, New York. With 16,000 undergrads, Cornell is the largest Ivy League school and has outstanding programs in engineering, business, computer science, and hospitality.

12. University of Chicago

Rounding out our list of the top 12 best colleges in the U.S. is the University of Chicago. As its name suggests, the school is in Chicago, Illinois. Known for its quirky campus culture, UChicago is a top school for economics majors.

While each of these top ranked colleges certainly has a lot to offer, there are hundreds more beyond this list that are worth researching. We will explore some more of the top schools in the U.S. below.

More Elite Colleges to Consider

Beyond the top 12 colleges list we shared above, there are plenty of other elite colleges across the country that are highly ranked, but often overlooked. They include the following top schools in the U.S.:

The University of California – Berkeley
The University of California – Los Angeles
Rice University
Duke University
Vanderbilt University
Washington University in St. Louis
University of Notre Dame
Carnegie Mellon University
University of Virginia
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

The top schools represent a range of different types of institutions. Rice, Duke, Vanderbilt, WashU, Notre Dame, and Carnegie Mellon are private schools, while the remainder are public institutions. Some of them are rather large, such as UCLA which has 33,000 undergraduates. Others are small universities, like Rice which has some 4,500 undergraduates. These top schools are located across the United States, in every region. Some are popular for their exceptional academic programs, such as computer science at Carnegie Mellon or architecture at Rice.

Based on these differences, you can tell that researching each school is important when building a college list. Relying on rankings alone won’t help you find the best fit school for you. For example, students seeking a criminal justice degree will find that none of these top schools are among the best for studying criminal justice. Instead, a school like Rutgers University in New Brunswick, New Jersey may be a better fit.

Liberal Arts Colleges

An important subset of the top schools in the U.S. are liberal arts colleges. A liberal arts education tends to be well-rounded, encouraging students to explore new fields through a broad curriculum. This type of education also develops critical thinking and communication skills, which tend to be valuable across most career fields.

Here is a list of top schools in the U.S. that offer a liberal arts education:

Williams College
Amherst College
Swarthmore College
Wellesley College
Swarthmore College
Bowdoin College
Pomona College
Claremont McKenna College
Vassar College
Harvey Mudd College
Haverford College

In addition to their unique academic approach, liberal arts colleges have other key attributes. They tend to focus on undergraduate education, prioritizing the experiences and learning of undergrads by hiring accomplished professors and keeping class sizes small. Indeed, on the whole, liberal arts colleges tend to be smaller in population, with most having fewer than 5,000 students. Finally, liberal arts colleges value interdisciplinary learning, sometimes encouraging students to design their own majors or research projects that combine seemingly unrelated fields.

Best Colleges for Athletics

Some students may be going into college hoping to play a sport competitively. Many elite colleges, as well as top public schools, across the country have great athletic programs. However, the best colleges in the U.S. for athletics vary greatly by sport and division. For example, the Ivies are known as top ranked colleges for rowing, while UCLA, the University of South Carolina, and the University of Connecticut are top schools for women’s basketball. You can check out NCAA rankings to find top ranked colleges in your sport.

If you are an outstanding competitor in a sport, you may wish to be recruited to top ranked colleges. Indeed, recruitment and athletics scholarships can be an entry route to top schools in the U.S., as many are looking to ensure their teams are stacked with the best players from across the nation. Even so, it is important to recognize that balancing academics and athletics at top schools can be challenging. If you wish to be recruited, reach out to coaches and talk to existing team members to learn more about what their quality of life is like. This will ensure that playing for that school is a good fit for you.

Are elite colleges worth it?

If you’re considering top schools in the U.S., then you know elite colleges have extremely low acceptance rates and high tuition rates. This can make gaining acceptance to top schools feel like an uphill battle — and depending on your situation, it really is. So, many are asking: are elite colleges worth it?

There has been an ongoing debate for decades about whether elite colleges justify their high costs and selectivity. However, defining top schools’ worth is ultimately subjective, and opinions on the matter will depend greatly on students’ goals and financial situations.

Of course, there’s no denying the benefits that attending top schools can have. They can certainly give graduates a jumpstart in earning leadership positions and higher salaries than those who haven’t graduated from top ranked colleges. However, one study doesn’t necessarily agree. Harvard and Brown University economists discovered that graduating from elite universities, namely Ivy League schools, has a “statistically insignificant impact” on income.

On the other hand, attending top schools doubles students’ chance of getting into prestigious graduate schools and triples the chances of getting hired at top firms. Additionally, attending elite colleges raises a student’s chances of reaching the top 1% in income by 60%. And, graduates from elite universities hold a disproportionate number of leadership positions. In fact, most ”powerful” Americans (those in politics, academia, business, or media) have attended elite colleges.

Clearly the debate on whether elite colleges are worth their cost and selective acceptance rates continues. In the following sections we’re going to dive deeper into some key factors that can help evaluate worth.

Prestige and name recognition

There’s no denying that the reputation of elite colleges enhances the value of a degree, especially in terms of professional opportunities. Your future career goals make a difference when it comes to what opportunities you’re looking to snag.

For example, if you’re hoping to be a world-renowned painter, Harvard may not serve that path better than a lesser known college. However, if you’re hoping to be a top lawyer, then attending elite colleges (such as an Ivy League or Public Ivy) is prudent. An elite diploma can put you on the fast track to getting into the best graduate schools and the best firms. Typically, top schools can give graduates a competitive edge in fields like finance, tech, consulting, and law.

Another consideration when looking at the best colleges in the U.S. is that the name recognition of elite colleges can extend beyond the U.S., benefiting students pursuing international careers or applying to competitive industries worldwide. Therefore, Ivy Leagues or top schools could help you earn respect in selective fields globally and potentially cement your position.

Of course, there’s no substitute for personal achievements, skills, and networking. While graduating from elite colleges may help you stand out, the prestige means nothing if you can’t back it up. Don’t discredit how personality, abilities, and determination can also give you an edge among the competition. Prestige is by no means the only factor in determining success.

Throughout this article we’ve looked at plenty of the top schools in the U.S. — however, there are prestigious, elite colleges elsewhere. Consider the U.S. News list of Best Global Universities. While you’ll find that much of the list is made up of top schools in the U.S., you’ll also see non-American schools represented. Namely, the University of Oxford, University of Cambridge, and the University College of London within the top 10.

Campus life and resources

Naturally, if you’re attending an elite college, you’d expect an elite experience — that may mean better facilities, more resources, or a diverse campus life. Indeed, in regards to campus life and available resources, top ranked colleges often have more opportunities for enrichment and growth outside the classroom. This includes clubs, organizations, or leadership roles.

Top schools in the U.S. have higher tuition costs, some of which get funneled back into campus facilities and resources. Therefore, elite colleges are able to invest in state-of-the-art academic resources, research labs, libraries, and campus amenities. All of these factors contribute to a rich learning environment.

In addition to high-end facilities, elite universities also tend to have well-equipped support systems for students. Resources like academic advising and mental health resources can greatly enhance a student’s college experience and success. Campus culture, diversity, and the social networks students build can be integral to future success. In truth, some elite colleges are much more diverse than others, which can be an important consideration when looking at top schools.

To better understand the myriad of resources offered at elite colleges, let’s look at two specific examples.

Harvard University

Most universities will offer libraries that are many steps above what students have experienced in high school or at their neighborhood facilities. However, Harvard truly takes it up a notch with the offerings at Lamont Library. It’s an eight-floor building that has many more resources than simply books, such as a cozy cafe and media lab. However, literature buffs will also enjoy the poetry room that celebrates all types of poetry. Notably, this room also has built-in record playing stations.

Brown University

Apart from exceptional facilities, Brown offers students plenty of resources to take advantage of during their time on campus. They offer multiple career events throughout the year to support professional development. A particular highlight is Brown Connect+, an excellent opportunity to network with Brown alumni, students, and friends throughout the world. This excellent networking opportunity is available to Brown graduates for life. Current Brown students also enjoy complimentary access to LinkedIn Learning, New York Times, Wall Street Journal, Rosetta Stone, and STAT+.

College tuition and return on investment

Ivy League rankings and other top schools’ rankings obviously increase the illusiveness of acceptance. Rankings and price add to the prestige of top schools in the U.S. — however, getting admitted to one of these universities may cost you! High tuition fees and additional costs are associated with elite colleges, with many Ivy Leagues schools costing around $90,000 per year.

Let’s take a look at the costs of attending the most expensive Ivy League school, Columbia University:

2024-25 Columbia University Cost of Attendance

Tuition and fees: $71,170
New student fees: $675
Housing and food: $17,580
Books, personal expenses, and transportation: $3,992
Total Cost of Attendance: $93,417

While sticker prices at top schools can be intimidating, getting an education at top ranked colleges can be supplemented with financial aid programs. Top schools offer qualifying applicants both need- and merit-based scholarships to help reduce the financial burden. Additionally, students can seek out outside scholarships and grants to help offset the high costs of elite colleges.

When talking about the cost of attending top ranked colleges, you need to consider the return on investment. Generally speaking, graduates from elite colleges often have higher earning potential and access to high-paying jobs in top industries. This can make the financial investment potentially worthwhile. However, return on investment isn’t guaranteed. Personal development, network-building, and your particular field all contribute to the overall value of an elite education.

Alumni networks and career support

One of the most valuable resources top schools can offer are their alumni connections. Indeed, these relationships allow students to gain internships, mentorship opportunities, and job placements. Of the many student resources at elite universities, networking opportunities may just be the most valuable to students’ success after graduation.

Let’s take a look at some opportunities found at the best colleges in the U.S.

University of Pennsylvania

UPenn offers plenty of options when it comes to career services. They offer resume guidance, personal advising, and job search support. One unique offering from UPenn is their ”industry communities.“ Through this useful search tool, you can find exactly what you’re interested in learning about, from Architecture & Design to Fellowships & Gap Years.

Cornell University

Cornell Career Services offer current and former students the help they may need in their job search. Services provided include advising for career exploration, resume guidance, internship opportunities, full-time job hunts, fellowships, and more. Additionally, there are always plenty of events to help you discover or follow your career path. For example, one upcoming event is “Day in the Life of a Patrol Crime Scene Tech.”

Massachusetts Institute of Technology

While technically not an Ivy League, that certainly doesn’t make this school any less elite or prestigious. Indeed, graduating with an MIT degree will give you some serious credit when it comes to finding tech jobs. Additionally, MIT has a myriad of benefits for its alumni. At the MIT Alumni Advisors Hub, alumni can receive career advice, and the MIT Alumni Job Board hosts opportunities from employers and fellow alumni. There’s even an MIT Federal Credit Union where you can get competitive rates and financial services. Those are just a few of the benefits that MIT alumni enjoy for life.

As you can see, top schools provide students with advantages long after graduation. The value of an elite college’s alumni network allows graduates to continue to leverage their connections throughout their careers. Whether you’re a recent graduate or making a career change 20 years out of university, your alumni status stays with you. By using these services available before graduation, career support at elite schools can make the transition from college to career much smoother.

Acceptance rates and selectivity

Elite universities and Ivy League rankings tend to be high. This means that they have many applicants, and very few available spots. Therefore, getting into one of these top ranked colleges is an undertaking. Certainly, these elite universities should be categorized as reach schools on all students’ college lists, no matter their academic and extracurricular achievements. There are simply no guarantees when it comes to gaining acceptance. Of course, it’s partly because of these extremely low acceptance rates that these elite schools maintain their prestigious status. After all, if everyone could get in, they wouldn’t be elite universities.

When it comes to impressing admissions at one of these top ranked colleges, you’ll need more than just excellent academics and extracurriculars. Applications are reviewed through a holistic approach, and candidates are evaluated by both personal and academic credentials. However, having an impressive application doesn’t guarantee admissions to top ranked colleges.

To better understand the odds, let’s look at the acceptance rates of the 5 top schools in the U.S., according to U.S. News college rankings:

Princeton University: 4%
MIT: 5%
Harvard University: 3%
Stanford University: 4%
Yale University: 5%

As you can see, applicants to these top ranked colleges or other top schools need to stand out in a crowded applicant pool. Later we’ll dive into some ways you can do that in your application.

What is the hardest college to get into?

All elite schools are considered among the best colleges in the U.S., meaning they aren’t easy to get into. However, you may be wondering, what are the top schools with the lowest acceptance rates? Two top schools tie for the hardest college to get into with acceptance rates of just 3%: Harvard University and CalTech.

With such low acceptance rates at elite schools, it’s clear that there is extreme competition to gain those few coveted spots. But, what are the numbers at these schools exactly? For example, the Harvard Class of 2028 admitted just 1,970 students out of the 54,008 that applied. With so few openings and so many applicants, elite colleges necessarily have rigorous admissions processes.

Applicants to the lowest acceptance rate schools need to have excellent grades, ideally in IB or AP courses. Additionally, they’ll need to prove academic achievement outside of the classroom through research or personal projects. Extracurricular activities are also important; however, admissions at top schools prioritize commitment over variety for variety’s sake. In other words, rather than cram extracurricular activities just to look more interesting, focus on activities you love.

Strong applications to top schools have all this in addition to strong essays with a clear personal narrative. With that said, low acceptance rates at top colleges means there are never any guarantees, no matter how impressive the application.

What it takes to get into top schools

Let’s dive deeper into just what it takes to get into the best colleges in the U.S. There are some key factors that will contribute to an applicant’s overall success in the admissions process. No matter which top ranked colleges you apply to, these will always matter.

5 Key Factors in Candidate Profile

1. Academic excellence

Students need to have high grades in challenging courses. If you’re considering applying to elite universities, you should take IB or AP courses, or even dual enrollment. Whatever you do, show that you don’t back down from a challenging course load. Applicants should also show academic curiosity and motivation beyond the classroom. This could be through extracurricular activities, passion projects, or even an internship or volunteer experience.

2. Extracurricular involvement

Top schools want to know that you are going to be a positive contributor to campus life. Resist the urge to do all the possible activities available to you. Rather, focus on your passions and interests, and commit to a few activities that you enjoy. Take on leadership roles or find other ways to show initiative within your activities.

3. Compelling essays

College essays are the part of your application where you can really let your personality and personal experiences shine. Don’t simply repeat information listed in other parts of your application. Use narrative and storytelling to really hook the reader and keep them intrigued throughout your whole essay. You can use your essays to show passion and resilience. Get creative, but be informative — and be sure to comprehensively answer the prompts!

4. Letters of recommendation

These letters can truly make your application stand out — if you find the right recommenders. Think about these letters long before your application deadline. In fact, you should build positive relationships with teachers, counselors, and mentors throughout your high school years. Be sure to choose the best recommenders for elite universities. Who will be able to show that you belong on that campus?

5. Demonstrated fit

When it comes to colleges, fit goes both ways. Therefore, the top schools want to know that you are genuinely interested in their institution, beyond the prestige. You can demonstrate fit in a number of ways. One is through your essays, by mentioning specific offerings at the university. Another way is by applying early decision or early action. You can also engage online, visit campus, reach out to admissions with pertinent questions, and attend information sessions to show demonstrated fit.

While trying to be the most competitive candidate possible, don’t forget to look beyond elite colleges — find programs that fit your interests and needs. For example, rather than looking at top schools in the U.S., be specific in your search. Look at the best schools for different types of business programs or schools with a criminal justice major. Remember, you don’t have to attend one of the top 10 universities in the USA to have a bright future.

Adding top schools to your colleges list

Just as top ranked colleges want to admit the right students, you want to create a colleges list with your best schools. Look beyond prestige, Ivy League rankings, and U.S. News college rankings when choosing schools for your colleges list. Research each potential school thoroughly: are your best colleges in the U.S. the same as those in the U.S. News college rankings? They may not be, and that’s all right.

Look into school programs, campus life, and culture to find the right fit for your academic, social, and personal goals. Consider your long-term career aspirations and whether each school on your colleges list aligns with those. For example, some elite schools are well-known for specific programs, industries, or research opportunities. If you have a love of all things STEM, then MIT makes sense for you. If you’re set on a nursing degree, research top schools in nursing rather than just top schools in the U.S. — you’ll likely find some overlap!

A well-balanced colleges list will include a mix of reach, match, and safety schools. Remember that elite colleges are all considered reach schools. No matter how impressive your accolades and application, there’s no guarantee you’ll be accepted. So, look beyond the top 10 universities in the USA when choosing your top schools.

Expert Advice for Getting into Top Colleges

While getting into elite schools is difficult, it’s not impossible. Here are some tips and best practices to give you the best odds at getting into top schools in the U.S..

3 Tips to Getting into Top Colleges

1. Start early.

Be proactive during your middle and high school years. Get involved in extracurriculars that excite you, and pursue your academic interests through challenging courses or even clubs. Build relationships with teachers in order to gain valuable mentorship as well as have top recommenders. When it comes time to apply to elite colleges, especially one of the top 10 universities in the USA, start your applications early; you can begin drafting essays before senior year!

2. Seek guidance.

Applying to the top schools in the U.S. can feel overwhelming. Ask alumni if you know any, and seek out the support and guidance of those around you. Reach out to counselors, mentors, teachers, or other experienced advisors (such as those at CollegeAdvisor!).

3. Craft authentic applications.

Remember that the school you choose to attend will be your home for the next four years, at least. Carefully consider why these top schools in the U.S. appeal to you, beyond Ivy League rankings or low acceptance rates. Then, show it in your application. Be honest and reflective when crafting your applications while showcasing the best version of you!

Remember to do everything you can to make your application stand out when applying to top schools in the U.S. — and the other great schools on your college list.

Top Schools and Elite Colleges: How to Get into the Best Colleges in the U.S.- Final Thoughts

In this article we’ve looked at many elite colleges and top schools in the U.S. We explored several top ranked colleges, from Ivies and beyond. We’ve also defined what makes a school “elite” and considered whether elite colleges are worth it.

Overall, there are many benefits of the top schools in the U.S., like higher earnings right out of college and active alumni networks. However, along with the many benefits come higher costs of tuition and the lowest acceptance rates in the nation. While attending one of the top schools in the U.S. can jumpstart your career, it’s no guarantee of future success. Indeed, plenty of schools outside of those considered elite colleges can grant you an excellent education at a more affordable price.

If you’re set on applying to elite colleges, remember that you don’t have to do it alone! CollegeAdvisor has plenty of experts who have helped students apply and get into elite colleges across the country. We’ll help you narrow down your top colleges list and craft an application that highlights your strengths, tells your unique story, and gives you the best chance of getting into your dream school.

This article was written by Courtney Ng and Sarah Kaminski. Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.