T20 Schools

College Confidential Community
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This is not actually a question, but rather just some personal opinions in regards to T20 schools (even though this list is obvisouly not defined, but rather used simply to refer to the “best” schools in the nation). I’d love to discuss this as we move towards the release of college rankings from sites likes U.S. News, Niche, Forbes, and WSJ in the fall.

(List of schools is not ranked)

All 8 Ivy-Leaugue schools

  1. BROWN: I think it provides an excellent undergraduate education. Seem like the most liberal-artsy school out of the Ivy League. The Open Curriculum allows for a lot of flexibility. Great academics. A solid choice for undergrad. “A school perfect for hippies” according to some.

  2. HARVARD: I mean, it’s Harvard. If you’re able to get in as an undergrad, then it’s hard to give it up (unless you also get into Stanford). 82% yield rate proves this. However, I personally wouldn’t go to Harvard for undergrad. I think there are better schools for that, even though its graduate, law, and medical schools are top-notch. Honestly think it’s a bit overrated.

  3. YALE: I prefer Yale over Harvard. I think it’s a great place to attend for undergrad. Academics and networking with a Yale degree will be very helpful. I think everyone knows how great Yale is.

  4. DARTMOUTH: My least favorite Ivy League school. While it provides a great education with strong academics, great networking, and a liberal-arts feel to it, I honestly think it’s a school catered to specific students. “Too many economics majors trying to go into investment banking or consulting is what Dartmouth is all about” acording to a student. Gives me a lot of “boarding school, rich kid” vibes.

  5. COLUMBIA: Columbia is a great school. Attending such a prestigious institution in the heart of the country (NYC) is a dream. Personally though, I would prefer to attend Columbia for graduate school. I think it’s too stressful for undergrad.

  6. PRINCETON: My favorite Ivy League school. Extremely undergraduate focused. With no medical school, no law school, no business school, I think Princeton is close to the perfect undergrad institution. Lots of research opprtunities, funding for students, and support. Unless you don’t want to live in NJ.

  7. UPENN: UPenn is cool. Still unsure why students die for this school. With the exeption of Wharton, don’t really understand what’s so special about it. However, great academics and reputations will help you in the long run. Prefer for graduate school.

  8. CORNELL: Cornell is oftentimes made fun of for being tied with the SUNY system and HEOP. However, I love them for this because it’s the only Ivy League school that makes it more accessible for students to attend who might not yet be prepared but have the potential. Very accepting of transfer students. However, Ithaca + huge classes doesn’t sound too pleasent to me.

Non-Ivy League Schools

  1. MIT: MIT is a great institution for those who are able to get in and are really STEM oriented. 1500-1570 (50th SAT scores). According to Common Data Set, 0% of incoming freshmen scored below a 700 on SAT Math section. Admissions seems really driven by numbers. Still amazing institution.

  2. CALTECH: The better version of MIT in my opinion given its small size. Porbably not as well recognized as MIT. 1530-1570 SAT range. Great STEM school for individualized support.

  3. UCHICAGO: “Where fun goes to die.” I think UChicago is the perfect place for those interested in academia or professional schools post-undergrad because given its apparrent stress culture, it prepares students well to handle tough work. 1500-1560 SAT range. Chicago is a great city. Degree from UChicago will get you far.

  4. STANFORD: Stanford is Stanford. 1440-1570 middle SAT range. I think this shows that for Stanford, essays are really important when admitting students. Some say Stanford is way too pre-professional. A degree from this place will get you far given its networking and academics. Plus, who doesn’t love the rich area of Palo Alto and San Fran? Founded in 1891, it’s impressive how much it has grown.

  5. NORTHWESTERN: Northwestern is cool. Also don’t really understand what’s special about it besides the fact that it will provide you with great education, networking, and preparation for job placement or post-grad education. Prefer for graduate school. Greek life is a thing here.

  6. DUKE: Greek life is also a thing here. Harvard of the South? Maybe. All-around amazing institution. However, also don’t understand what’s so amazing about it other than the fact that it will help you a lot in the long run and that it’s in NC. Prefer for graduate school

  7. JOHNS HOPKINS: I would never go to JHU for undergrad. Great place for STEM. Heard stress culture is a thing. However, as the “first” research university in the country, JHU is the perfect place for graduate school, especially for research. 5K undergrads vs over 20K post-graduates doesn’t sound like a good place for undergrad. Plus, Maryland.

  8. VANDERBILT: Vanderbilt is a great place. Ranks really high for student happiness. Peabody and its law schools are strong and highly ranked. I would say Vanderbilt follows the “Work hard, play hard” motto. While it’s amazing, I personally don’t like the strong presence of Greek life and how exclusive some students say it is. Also gives me “rich kid” vibes. Still one of my favorite institutions.

  9. USC: USC is great for the arts, business, and journalism, and who doesn’t want to attend college in L.A.? Yet, still think it has a reputation for being a school where rich kids attend with the help of their parents. Too big for undergrad in my opinion.

  10. RICE: One of favorite non-Ivy League schools. Best of both worlds: Small LAC feel with the resources of a research institution. Grest residential college system. Also ranks highly in student happiness and oftentimes is called Harvard of the South. Founded in 1912, it’s amazing how far Rice has gotten. Drawbacks however include: Perhaps too STEM oriented, Houston/Texas, and perhaps doesn’t bring that prestige factor in the West and Northeast due to its regional presence.

  11. EMORY: Gorgeous campus in an amazing city. Very great place for STEM orented students and definitely one of the South’s top schools. One of the schools that doesn’t really play the rankings game. All-around great place that will prepare you well.

  12. GEORGETOWN: Great place for Political Science, Law, or any government-related career. Definitely carries a prestige factor. Top -ranked law school. Amazing place even if it’s not my cup of tea.

  13. WASH U: Someone tell me what’s so special about this place? Heard students are pretentious. Still, great place to get a degree from, especially if you don’t mind Missouri.

  14. NOTRE DAME: Cool place. Not much to say.

  15. UCLA, BERKLEY, UVA, UMICHIGAN: Great places. Each have their own merit. However, wouldn’t choose for undergrad.

What did y’all think?

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Emory acquired a legacy as one of the schools that went beyond gaming, actually:

https://www.ajc.com/news/local/emory-scandal-critics-doubt-college-ratings/I2brkUPb2keaDRpbxXhIGJ/

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With their open curriculum, I would put them on the bottom. Columbia with their Core make sure that everyone has a broad education in the liberal arts.

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I think if you want to study engineering this is t the T20.

IMO it makes more sense to look at rankings done by major.

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Btw, if you were to consider selectivity, you have listed schools outside the top 40.

https://amp.usatoday.com/amp/40090323

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@Eeyore123 Disclaimer: I’m biased because I’ll be attending Brown this year, but Brown is definitely as liberal arts based curriculum-wise as Columbia, JUST in a different form. The Open Curriculum gives you the freedom to take classes in any fields you want to, and this, combined with the option to S/NC (Pass/Fail) any course, allows students a lot more flexibility than at other colleges to explore areas outside of your concentrations/majors without the fear of grades hanging over your head. Yes, while at a school like Columbia you will get a much more traditional liberal arts curriculum through the Core, but you also HAVE to take every course: there’s a difference between being forced to take something vs. exploring multiple fields of your own volition.

Just my two cents. :smile:

1 Like
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@merc81 I compiled the T20 list from various resources. Again, I don’t think the list is exclusive. Also, the list you provided is not ordered by selectivity. Some schools with higher acceptance rates are placed higher on the list.

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The referenced analysis (reply #4) combines factors to rank colleges by difficulty of admission (for a similar approach, see USN’s selectivity rankings):

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congrats on brown!! I really want to go there (currently a HS junior)