Admissions difficulty ranking worldwide

I’m aiming for a big reach and trying to think globally. What are considered the hardest colleges to get into around the world? Is the US ranking indicative of the worldwide rankings too?

Admission difficulty can depend on a variety of factors, such as the selectivity rate, academic requirements, competition, and volume of applications. Evaluating the difficulty of getting into colleges worldwide is quite complex due to variations in application processes, different education systems, and varying admission policies in different countries. However, I can share some of the typically highly selective universities at an international level.

1. University of Oxford (UK): Known for its rigorous academic standards and intensive interview process, Oxford is often quite selective, particularly for courses like Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE).

2. University of Cambridge (UK): Much like Oxford, Cambridge has a selection process that involves rigorous interviews, aptitude tests, and high academic standards.

3. Ecole Normale Superieure (France): This Paris-based institution has a high academic threshold and often only admits French-speaking students.

4. ETH Zurich (Switzerland): This institution is highly competitive, particularly for programs in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM).

5. Tsinghua University (China): One of China's most prestigious institutions, gaining admission can be extremely challenging given its competitive exam-based selection process.

In the United States:

1. Stanford University: Known for its low acceptance rate, Stanford is highly selective, with a significant emphasis on students' holistic presentation in applications.

2. California Institute of Technology (Caltech): With its intense focus on STEM, Caltech admits a limited number of students who display exceptional aptitude in these areas.

3. Harvard University: One of the Ivy League institutions, Harvard's application process involves a rigorous evaluation of academic and extra-curricular achievements.

Please note that these are broad observations, and admissions requirements vary by program and department within a university. For a more detailed understanding, make sure to look at specific departments or programs you're interested in to understand their distinct admission requirements. Also, consider your desired field of study, as an institution's selectivity can vary a great deal depending on the program.