America's Top Colleges - Part I
America's Top Colleges - Part I -, Post a Comment
- Provider
- Various
- Host country
- United States
- Deadline
- Not explicitly stated. The text mentions "Regular Decision deadline" when discussing standardized tests, but no specific date is given.
- Region
- Americas
About this scholarship
[africaindex](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/author/africaindex/)
[November 19, 2018November 19, 2018](https://scholarshipsforafricans.com/2018/11/19/)
Looking for the top colleges in The United States? You are not alone! Many people are interested in knowing which schools are considered the best of the best, and they may even be interested in getting their application in. Even with acceptance rates of 5.6% percent, like at Harvard University, it never hurts to throw your hat in the ring and see if you are one of the chosen ones.
Determining the best colleges in America actually depends on what criteria you use. Some reports, like [U.S. News & World Report](https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities), evaluate colleges and universities on 16 measures of academic quality. They allow you to compare at a glance the relative quality of U.S. institutions based on such widely accepted indicators of excellence as first-year student retention, graduation rates and the strength of the faculty. while the [FORBES list](https://www.forbes.com/top-colleges/), of America’s Top Colleges, is focused on the direct benefits schools provide their graduates. They look at alumni salaries, debt after graduation, retention and graduation rates, debt load upon graduation, alumni salaries and signs of individual success including academic and career accolades. Both lists are worth checking out and using as tools in your research.
Here is a list of the top-ranked universities in America (some involve ties) that appear on both lists in no particular order:
- **[Harvard University](https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-process/international-applicants)**– located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- **[Princeton University](https://admission.princeton.edu/how-apply/international-students)**– located in Princeton, New Jersey
- **[Yale University](https://admissions.yale.edu/applying-yale-international-student)**– located in New Haven, Connecticut
- **[Columbia University](https://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/international)**– located in New York, NY
- **[Stanford University](https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/international/index.html)**– located in Sanford, California
- **[University of Pennsylvania](https://admissions.upenn.edu/admissions-and-financial-aid/preparing-for-admission/international-applicants)**– located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
- **[California Institute of Technology](http://international.caltech.edu/admissions)**– located in Pasadena, California
- **[Massachusetts Institute of Technology](https://mitadmissions.org/apply/firstyear/international/)**– located in Cambridge, Massachusetts
- **[Dartmouth College](https://financialaid.dartmouth.edu/apply-aid/international-students)**– located in Hanover, New Hampshire
- **[Duke University](https://admissions.duke.edu/application/instructions#general-instructions-general-instructions-international)**– located in Durham, North Carolina
- **[University of Chicago](https://collegeadmissions.uchicago.edu/apply/first-year-applicants/international-applicants)**– located in Chicago, Illinois
- **[Johns Hopkins University](https://apply.jhu.edu/international-students/)**– located in Baltimore, Maryland
- **[Northwestern University](https://admissions.northwestern.edu/faqs/international-applicants/) –** Located in Chicago, Illinois
In addition to some of those listed, the ones ranked as best colleges by student reports include Williams College, Amherst College, United States Military Academy, Swarthmore College, and Claremont McKenna College.
The top colleges in America come at a hefty price tag for those who get selected to attend. While Princeton University has a 7 percent acceptance rate, 2018–2019 tuition and fee rate is $49,055. Meanwhile, the University of Chicago has an 8.8 percent acceptance rate and their 2018-2019 tuition and fee rate is $54,825. However, generally speaking, the price is worth the return on investment when it comes to listing one of these schools on your resume as your alma mater.
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Eligibility criteria
Always cross-check eligibility against the sponsor's official site before applying — sponsor rules can change between intakes.
- Citizen or permanent resident of an eligible African country
- Willing to study in United States
- Strong academic record — typically a minimum GPA equivalent to a UK 2:1 / US 3.3
- English-language proficiency demonstrated by IELTS, TOEFL or an MOI letter
- Two academic or professional references able to speak to your potential
Required documents
A planning baseline drawn from how 90%+ of African scholarship sponsors structure their checklist. The sponsor's portal is the source of truth for any single application.
- Valid international passport (bio page scan)
- Most recent academic transcripts (sealed or e-verified copies)
- Curriculum vitae / résumé (1–2 pages, reverse-chronological)
- Personal statement or motivation letter (500–1,000 words, tailored to the sponsor)
- Two to three reference letters (academic for students, professional for working applicants)
- Proof of English proficiency (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo) — Medium-of-Instruction letter may substitute for Anglophone-Africa graduates
- Passport-sized photograph meeting ICAO biometric standards
- Country-of-origin proof (national ID or birth certificate) — required by many Africa-focused funders
Deadline timeline
The sponsor has not published a fixed deadline yet. Use the milestones below as a generic 12-month plan; substitute dates once the intake window opens.
- 12 months out
Register for tests (IELTS/TOEFL/SAT/GRE), shortlist 3–5 universities, identify referees.
- 6 months out
Sit your tests, draft a personal statement, request transcripts and confirm reference letters.
- 3 months out
Finalise essays, upload supporting documents, complete the online application portal.
- 1 month out
Final review, double-check uploaded files, submit a week before the deadline to avoid portal issues.
- Application deadline
Submit by 23:59 in the sponsor's stated time zone — usually local to the sponsor, not your country.
Editorial verification note
Harvard welcomes international applicants and has the same admissions and financial aid processes for all. Standardized tests like SAT/ACT are required, with alternatives considered in exceptional cases. Fee waivers are available for those facing hardship.
Last checked 5/8/2026
Frequently asked questions
Who can apply for the America's Top Colleges - Part I?+
Applicants must be eligible African nationals applying at the the stated level level, meet the academic and English-language requirements set by Various, and be able to relocate to United States for the duration of the programme.
Is the America's Top Colleges - Part I fully funded?+
Funding model: Funding type varies — check the official site. Where listed as fully funded, the award typically covers tuition, monthly stipend, health insurance and round-trip airfare. Always confirm the latest funding breakdown on the sponsor's official page.
When is the application deadline?+
The application deadline is Not explicitly stated. The text mentions "Regular Decision deadline" when discussing standardized tests, but no specific date is given.. Submit at least one week early — sponsor portals frequently slow or fail in the final 24 hours, and late submissions are not accepted under any circumstances.
What documents do I need to apply?+
At minimum: passport bio page, academic transcripts, CV, personal statement, two to three references, and an English-language test score (IELTS, TOEFL or Duolingo). Research-led Masters and PhD applications also require a research proposal and a writing sample.
How can I improve my chance of winning?+
Apply early, tailor every essay to the specific sponsor (do not recycle a generic statement), secure at least one reference who knows your work in detail, and apply to two or three additional scholarships in parallel — never rely on a single application.