It should go without saying that there are tons of great colleges out there. When working with TKG clients, we like to start by assessing academic viability and then move on to metrics like academic programs, location, size, and culture. When you’re open-minded about the college research process, you’ll stumble upon tons of gems that you might have not considered before. Keep reading for a few of our favorites:
Stanford:
Stanford is technically not an Ivy! Stanford’s acceptance rate is so tragically low (about 4%) that it is no longer reported. But gaining acceptance into Stanford means that you’ll have access to exceptional academic programs, small class sizes, and various opportunities to collaborate with your professors. The school has a 1.6 billion annual research budget, and students take an interdisciplinary approach when working on research in one of the school’s 18 labs and institutes.
California Institute of Technology:
The school, which commonly referred to as Cal Tech, is extremely small. Under 1,000 undergraduate students attend the school, and the acceptance rate is around 7%. The school is known for strong programs in science and engineering, and the curriculum is considered quite rigorous. If you’re looking to form close relationships with your professors and know a majority of the students in your graduating class, Cal Tech might be for you.
Duke:
Duke is a private research university in Durham, North Carolina. There are five undergraduate schools: the Trinity College of Arts and Science, the Pratt school of Engineering, the Nicholas School of the Environment, the Stanford School of Public Policy, and the Duke Kunshan University. Duke is a medium-sized school with tons of school spirit and about 7,000 undergraduate students. The acceptance rate is around 8%.
University of Chicago:
The University of Chicago is a test optional private research university in Chicago, Illinois. “The College” is their liberal arts program, and the school is known for rigorous programs and Ivy League tier academics. The school places an emphasis on civic engagement, and their research opportunities span from the arts to medicine.
USC:
The University of Southern California is one of the popular schools in the United States. It’s fair to say that there’s something for everyone at USC: they have resources for students who are interested in STEM, humanities, the arts, business, architecture, communications, dance, and more. They’re known for a lengthy supplement, tons of school spirit, sports, and Greek life. The acceptance rate is around 16%.
Northwestern:
Northwestern University is a private research university in Evanston, Illinois. Northwestern’s endowment is among the largest in the United States, and the school has the resources to match. There are a lot of stand-out academic programs that you can read about here, and there are dedicated colleges for arts and sciences, communications, education and social policy, engineering, journalism and marketing, and music. The acceptance rate is around 9%. Hot tip: apply early!
UCLA:
The University of California at Los Angeles is a public research university. It’s a big school with more than 125 majors to choose from, which for reference, is a lot. UCLA is also hugely popular, meaning that they receive about 100,000 applications per year. The most applied to academic programs are biology, business economics, political science, and psychology.
UC Berkeley:
The University of California at Berkeley is widely considered to be one of the best public universities in the country. The school is big on public service, and more than 5,00 students are involved with some kind of off-campus public program. It’s a big school, but the student to faculty ratio is 18:1, which means that not all of your classes will be in giant lecture halls. It’s known for a laid-back vibe, strong academic programs, and world-renowned professors.
Washington University in St. Louis:
You’re probably more familiar with the school’s nickname, which is WashU. It’s a private research university in Missouri that was founded in 1853. 80% of students at WashU pursue multiple majors, and 33% of them study abroad. There are countless research opportunities, especially for those students who are interested in medicine, the environment, and plant science. The acceptance rate for the class of 2024 was 16%.
This list is not exhaustive, as there are many more schools that might have what you’re looking for. If you’re just starting your search, don’t limit yourself! Start by researching the academic programs and special programs, and then think about things like location and size. Enjoy!
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