Is the University of Delaware or George Washington University harder to get into?

George Washington University is harder to get into than the University of Delaware. In broad admissions terms, GW is usually viewed as the more selective school, with a more nationally competitive applicant pool and stronger overlap with applicants targeting private universities in major cities. Delaware is certainly well regarded, but it tends to be less selective overall and more accessible for a wider range of strong students.

One concrete difference is the applicant pool each school attracts. GW draws a large number of students interested in politics, international affairs, public policy, and internships tied to Washington, DC, so it gets many applications from students with very polished academic and extracurricular profiles. Delaware, while popular and respected, has a more regional public-university applicant base and a broader admissions range.

Another factor is institutional type and enrollment strategy. GW is a private university in downtown DC with limited space and a high-demand location, which pushes selectivity upward. The University of Delaware is a public flagship with a larger undergraduate population and a mission that includes serving more in-state and regional students, so its admissions process is not usually as tight.

Most students would treat GW as the tougher admit and Delaware as the more attainable option.