Is Boston University or Columbia University harder to get into?

Columbia University is harder to get into than Boston University, and the gap is significant. Columbia is an Ivy League school with a much more restrictive admissions process, while Boston University is selective but admits a meaningfully larger share of applicants. In practice, an applicant who is competitive for BU would still need a notably stronger overall profile to be a realistic contender at Columbia.

One concrete difference is the academic bar. Columbia typically draws a denser pool of applicants with near-perfect grades, the most demanding coursework available, and exceptional national or international-level accomplishments. BU also attracts many high-achieving students, but the level of competition at the very top of the pool is not as compressed.

Another difference is how admissions officers evaluate distinction beyond academics. At Columbia, strong numbers alone rarely make someone stand out because so many applicants already have them, so unusual intellectual depth, rare extracurricular impact, or a sharply defined personal profile matters more. At BU, those things certainly help, but admission is more attainable without needing the same level of extraordinary distinction.

Both schools are difficult, but they are difficult in different tiers. BU is selective enough that many qualified students are denied, while Columbia sits in the category where even exceptional applicants are routinely turned away.