Highly Competitive Schools:

Schools that fall into this category typically accept less than 30 percent of all applicants. They are among the top schools in the nation, and have stellar programs in many or all areas. Academically, these institutions are rigorous, and the challenge is not always just getting in—it's being able to keep up with the workload while you're there! But in the end, a degree from one of these schools will be very highly regarded by employers and graduate programs.

			Average SAT score*				Average ACT score
Tufts University			1340				26-31
University of Notre Dame			1360				30-33
Johns Hopkins University			1385				27-31
Colgate University			1325				27-31
Reed College			1375				29-32
Vassar College			1355				28-32
Carleton College			1370				27-31
Washington and Lee   University			1360				28-30
Emory University			1380				29-33
College of William and Mary			1345				27-31
University of Virginia			1320				25-31
Macalester College			1345				27-31
University of Rochester			1310				26-31
University of Southern   California			1330				27-31
Georgetown University			1370				27-32
Kenyon College			1320				27-32
New York University			1310				27-32
Vanderbilt University			1335				27-31

Find out what an extra 100 points can mean!

* SAT scores only represent 2 of the 3 sections (Critical Reading and Math).