The term selectivity refers to the entrance difficulty to a college. This is based on the number of applicants versus the number of open actual spots for admission. If this number falls below 33%, then the college is considered selective. The five most selective colleges in the New England states are listed below.
Harvard University
Considered the oldest college in the United States, Harvard University was established in 1636. The college is located in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Harvard is the most difficult college to be admitted to in the United States. Students at Harvard are serious about their studies. The most popular majors at Harvard include economics, government, social studies, and psychology. Students from low-socioeconomic backgrounds who are admitted to Harvard usually receive a full scholarship to attend the college. The selectivity percentage at Harvard is 7.6.
United States Coast Guard Academy
Based on the philosophy of academics, physical fitness, character, and leadership, the United States Coast Guard Academy prepares students for leadership service in the Coast Guard. Admitted students receive free tuition and can choose from the following majors: engineering, government, management, marine and environmental science, and operation research computer. The college’s selectivity percentage is 8.2.
Yale University
With a selectivity percent of 9.8 Yale University offers students the advantage of leading and serving through academics and activities. Most popular majors include history, English, economics, and psychology. The university is located in New Haven, Connecticut. While the university offers one of most renowned libraries, it also offers superb art appreciation venues: Peabody Museum of Natural History, the University of Art gallery, and the Center for British Art.
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
MIT can boast of its academic leaders. According to the MIT website professors at the college have received the following awards and honors: seven Nobel Prize winners, seven National Medal of Science award recipients, 81 Guggenheim Fellows, seven Fulbright Scholars, and 21 MacArthur Fellows. By far engineering is the most popular major; however, other popular majors include computer and information sciences, physical sciences, biology, business/marketing, and mathematics. MIT’s selectivity rate is 11.8%.
Brown University
Brown was established as a Baptist institution to compete with Yale and Harvard. Brown can now stand apart from these colleges through their commitment to research and the arts. According to the Brown website in 2007 faculty captured over $134 million in grants for research. This allows students to join with professors to explore innovative ideas and experiments to better the world. Students who are natural problem solvers thrive at Brown, and Brown provides students the opportunity to tailor their education to fulfill their own goals and plans. The school’s selectivity rate is 13.7%.
Depending on the criteria that families are searching for in a college, many colleges offer quality education. Sixty-seven college institutions are considered selective, and they are located across the United States. The five colleges mentioned in this article represent the selective colleges in New England. For more information on selectivity, please refer to the article Defining Ivy League Schools: Understanding the Meaning of Selectivity
Kerrie Troseth - Kerrie is a licensed school counselor who works exclusively with adolescents. As a school counselor she is trained in the areas of ...
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