Hardest college globally to gain admission to?

I've heard that some colleges in the world are nearly impossible to get into, and I'm curious which ones have the toughest admission processes. Is there a single 'hardest' college or university based on acceptance rates or admission criteria? What factors make these places so selective, and do they really offer a unique experience worth the stress? Would appreciate insights into what makes these schools so competitive and if anyone's taken on the challenge of applying?

The title of the "hardest" university to get into can fluctuate depending on how we're defining difficulty (such as selectivity in terms of acceptance rate, requirements for admission, competition among applicants), but one often cited as the world's hardest university to gain admission to is Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, USA. It has an acceptance rate that has been reported to be as low as around 4%.

As a premier conservatory, Curtis's low acceptance rate is due to a multitude of factors. First and foremost, it's the small size—Curtis only enrolls about 175 students at a time, which means that there are few open spaces each year. Secondly, the level of talent and preparation required to successfully win a spot at Curtis is very high. Many students have been studying their instrument for years and are highly accomplished musicians. Auditions for the school are highly competitive, with potential students having to perform challenging pieces of music to demonstrate their abilities.

Moreover, Curtis offers tuition-free education to all of its students, making it an attractive choice for talented musicians considering higher education. A full-tuition scholarship definitely adds to the allure of the school, and subsequently, the competition.

While applying to and attending such selective institutions can indeed be stressful, they can provide unique benefits such as small class sizes, personalized instruction, and networking opportunities. However, it's also essential to remember that plenty of successful people have attended less selective institutions too.

Globally, other extremely competitive universities include Harvard, Stanford, and MIT in the US, the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge in the UK, and Tokyo University in Japan. All these institutions have single-digit acceptance rates and rigorous admission requirements due to strong global recognition and reputation, outstanding academics, and heated competition. Still, the "worth" of the stress and challenge can vary greatly from student to student, depending largely on personal goals, academic and extracurricular interests, and the student's overall fit with the university environment. It's a highly personal decision and one that should be made thoughtfully, with full consideration of a range of schools and programs.