How demanding are different universities?

I keep hearing how some universities are way harder than others, but I'm not sure which ones people mean when they say that. In your opinion, what is the hardest university based on academic intensity and workload?

The difficulty of a university can often be subjective and depend on various factors like the student's major, personal study habits, and high school preparation. That said, some universities are renowned for their rigorous academic programs and expectations.

California Institute of Technology (Caltech), known for its very competitive STEM programs, is often cited as one of the most academically intense universities. The small class sizes at Caltech allow for a greater depth of study and students often collaborate on challenging problem sets.

Similarly, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) is also known for its demanding workload, especially in fields like engineering, computer science, and physics.

In the liberal arts arena, the University of Chicago stands out as notoriously rigorous due to its core curriculum which requires students to take classes in a broad range of subjects, promoting a comprehensive understanding of the liberal arts. The reading-intensive workload and the Socratic method used in classes add to the rigor.

Princeton University also has a reputation for being academically challenging, in part because of its unique undergraduate focus, its commitment to independent research, and its comprehensive senior thesis requirement.

Finally, Stanford University, while also having a flexible curriculum like Brown, has a reputation for being academically intense, particularly for those in technical majors.

But keep in mind, the right university challenge shouldn't feel insurmountable but rather stimulating. It's about finding an environment that will push you to grow, learn, and get the most out of your education.