Hey there! I'm a bit overwhelmed by considering global options for college. Does anyone know what the hardest universities to get into are around the world? I'd like to set a few ambitious goals for myself!
Hey! It's great that you're looking for ambitious goals to aim for. Here's a list of some of the most competitive universities worldwide, based on acceptance rates and reputation:
1. Harvard University (USA) - Typically recognized as one of the top universities globally, Harvard has an acceptance rate of around 3-5%. It's well-renowned for its strong programs in law, business, and other prominent fields.
2. Stanford University (USA) - Another highly competitive university in the United States, Stanford has an acceptance rate of around 4%. Known for its excellent engineering, computer science, and entrepreneurship programs, it's a popular choice among ambitious students.
3. California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (USA) - With an acceptance rate of about 6%, Caltech is a small but extremely competitive institution, known for its exceptional STEM programs and cutting-edge research.
4. University of Oxford (UK) - As one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the world, Oxford has an acceptance rate of around 17%. It offers a diverse range of programs, with particularly strong humanities and social sciences offerings.
5. University of Cambridge (UK) - Another top institution in the United Kingdom, Cambridge has an acceptance rate of approximately 21%. Like Oxford, it's known for its rigorous academics and distinguished history.
6. University of Tokyo (Japan) - Japan's highest-ranking university, with an acceptance rate of around 34%, the University of Tokyo is well-regarded for its academic offerings in the sciences, engineering, and humanities.
7. Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETH Zurich) (Switzerland) - A leading university in the field of science and technology, ETH Zurich has an acceptance rate of about 27%. It's particularly known for its outstanding engineering and natural sciences programs.
8. National University of Singapore (NUS) (Singapore) - As one of Asia's top institutions, the National University of Singapore has an acceptance rate of around 7%. Its strong programs include engineering, social sciences, and business.
9. Tsinghua University (China) - With an acceptance rate of approximately 2%, Tsinghua University is considered the hardest university to get into in China. It boasts strong programs in engineering, computer science, and other fields.
This list is by no means exhaustive, but it gives you a good starting point to explore your options and set ambitious goals for yourself. Remember to consider other factors that may be important to you, such as location, size, and available majors, while making your college list. Good luck with your applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.