The Princeton Review is known for its annual college rankings, boasting categories that run the gamut from serious ("Best Value Colleges") to snarky ("Best Jock Schools"). It's always nice to be the best at something, but let's take a step further and see what it will take for you to actually get into some of these high-ranking colleges and universities.

Happiest Students ~ Brown University, Providence, RI. If Disneyland is billed as "The Happiest Place on Earth," then Brown University must be the second happiest.

How Do I Get In?

Score high. About half of the Class of 2013 earned 700 and higher on each section of the SAT.

Be #1. Last year's applicants who were class valedictorians had a 1 in 4 chance of getting an acceptance letter.


Best Quality of Life ~ Rice University, Houston, TX. From friendly students and engaged faculty members to a campus that is both comfortable and safe, life is very good at Rice.

How Do I Get In?

Be multilingual. More than half of the Class of 2013 speaks more than one language.

Give back. About 86% of accepted students were involved in community service during high school.


Best Newspaper ~ University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC. Aspiring journalists should set their sights on UNC's The Daily Tar Heel-which just so happened to beat out the illustrious Harvard Crimson in this year's rankings.

How Do I Get In?

Study hard. About 44% of the current freshman class were in the top 10 of their class. Not top 10%--top 10 students!

Run for President. Of a school club, that is. Nearly half of incoming freshmen was president of a club or organization in high school. (The office of VP isn't too shabby, either.)


Best Campus Food ~ Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, VA. You won't hear any stomachs growling on this campus; then again, it's not called Southern hospitality for nothing.

How Do I Get In?

Apply early. Almost 25% of the freshman class applied Early Decision

Love math. More than 90% of freshman scored higher than 500 in math on the SAT.


Dorms Like Palaces ~ Smith College, Northampton, MA. Dorms that resemble shoeboxes are sooo 20th century. Who says students can't be comfortable AND productive at the same time?

How Do I Get In?

Rock your interview. While an admissions interview is not required, it is "highly recommended." Don't give up the chance to show a counselor on campus or an alumna in your area just how intelligent and inspired you are to make the most of the next four years.

Lead like a girl. Sorry boys--only women are admitted to the undergraduate programs at Smith. Some of the strongest female leaders have graduated Smith, including Betty Friedan, Nancy Reagan, and Gloria Steinem.


Most Beautiful Campus ~ Colgate University, Hamilton, NY. Looks aren't everything, but if you've got 'em, flaunt 'em!

How Do I Get In?

Volunteer. About 75% of Colgate students did community service in high school. Now there's a campus with good karma!

Apply early. Almost half of the class of 2013 applied Early Decision.


Most Politically Active ~ The George Washington University, Washington, DC. It's not a huge surprise to know that a school in our nation's capital is a hotbed for political debate.

How Do I Get In?

Aim high. About 2/3 of the incoming freshman class in 2009 ranked in the top 10 percent of their classes.

Believe in something. At the country's most politically active campus, you'll be surrounded with people who've got something to say. What's your opinion? Don't worry--with 350+ campus organizations, you'll have a chance to share it somewhere.


Major Frat and Sorority Scene ~ Wofford College, Spartanburg, SC. Thanks to a dozen or so active fraternities and sororities-including three historically black organizations-there are tons of new friends waiting to be made at Wofford.

How Do I Get In?

Excel in a sport. Nearly 43 percent of the Class of 2013 were captains of their respective sports teams.

Get involved. Wofford is an active campus, and not just because of the Greek scene. There are dozens of clubs and activities to choose from-and admissions counselors will be eager to know where you'll find your niche for the next four years.


Gay Friendly ~ New York University, New York, NY. The diverse culture found in the New York City is second to none, and that culture includes many gay, lesbian, and transgender students that are most welcome on this Greenwich Village campus.

How Do I Get In?

Polish your portfolio. Ace your audition. Many programs, like those in the prestigious Tisch School for the Arts, are competitive and require an audition or portfolio review in addition to your general application.

Score high. The middle 50% of applicants scored between 630 and 730 on verbal and between 650 and 750 on math.


Don't Inhale (a.k.a. No Marijuana Here) ~ Brigham Young University, Provo, UT. An overwhelming majority of students at BYU just say no to pot. What a breath of fresh air!

How Do I Get In?

Rock the ACT. 90% of incoming freshmen scored a 24 and higher on the test.

Hit the books. The average GPA of the incoming freshman class keeps climbing; in Fall of 2008, it was 3.8.

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