I'm starting my college search and wondering which colleges in Indiana are the hardest to get into. I'm aiming for a challenge and want to set my sights high. Maybe places like Notre Dame or Purdue's advanced programs might be on the list? Any advice from students who applied there?
|1 answer
Notre Dame stands as Indiana's most selective university, with an acceptance rate hovering around 15%, making it significantly more competitive than other institutions in the state. The university maintains rigorous academic standards, typically admitting students with SAT scores above 1400 and ACT scores above 32, along with exceptional extracurricular achievements and compelling personal essays.
Purdue University's engineering and computer science programs rank among the most selective in Indiana, with acceptance rates for these specific programs often falling below 30%. The university's honors college is particularly competitive, seeking students with strong STEM backgrounds and demonstrated leadership abilities. These specialized programs typically expect SAT scores above 1380 and ACT scores above 31.
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, while less widely known than Notre Dame or Purdue, maintains highly selective admissions for its engineering programs. The institution accepts roughly 74% of applicants, but this number can be misleading since most applicants are already high-achieving students in mathematics and sciences. Successful candidates typically present SAT scores above 1300 and ACT scores above 29.
DePauw University represents another challenging admission target in Indiana, particularly for its Science Research Fellows program and Honor Scholar program. These specialized tracks maintain selective admission standards, looking for students with strong academic records and significant leadership experience. The overall acceptance rate at DePauw runs about 65%, though premier programs have much lower acceptance rates.
When applying to these selective Indiana institutions, focus on maintaining a strong GPA in challenging courses, securing meaningful leadership positions, and developing compelling personal narratives for your applications. Start your preparation early, as these universities often have early decision or early action deadlines that can improve your chances of admission.
Post an answer to this question to help other readers