Hey folks! Just curious here - which university in the world would you say is the hardest to get into? I mean, we all know about the Ivy Leagues, Oxbridge, and the likes, but are there other lesser-known universities which are super difficult to get accepted to?
Admission standards and selectivity can vary significantly depending on the perspective from which you're looking. There are, however, a few universities that are universally recognized for their highly competitive admissions processes. Ivy League schools like Harvard and Princeton, as well as Stanford and MIT in the U.S., are very selective, often with admission rates below 5%.
Outside of the U.S., the University of Oxford and University of Cambridge in the U.K. are also renowned for their stringent admission requirements and rigorous selection process, which includes academic assessments and interviews.
However, if we look at the acceptance rates, one of the toughest universities to get into globally would be Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia, which has an acceptance rate often below 5%. The school typically admits a few dozen students per year out of hundreds of applicants.
In addition, Tokyo University is known as one of the toughest universities to get into in Asia due to the rigorous and competitive examination process in Japan.
Lastly, another factor to consider is the program or major you're applying to. For instance, medical and law programs are often well-known for their competitive admission processes, regardless of the overall selectivity of their parent institution.
Remember that being admitted to such institutions often requires exceptional academic records, impressive letters of recommendation, and strong personal essays. It's not an easy task, but it is achievable with the right preparation and dedication.
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.