Is Boston College harder to get into than George Washington University?

Yes. In general, Boston College is considered more selective than George Washington University, so it usually makes sense to treat BC as the tougher admit on your list. BC tends to draw a very deep pool of high-achieving applicants and is viewed as a more difficult reach overall, while GW is still selective but typically a bit more attainable for the same student profile.

For a student building a balanced list, Boston College belongs in the category where strong grades, rigorous coursework, and solid extracurriculars still may not make admission likely. BC’s applicant pool is especially strong because of its national reputation, attractive campus setting, and popularity among students looking for a traditional residential college experience with strong academics.

George Washington University fits a student who wants a selective university in a major city and should still be taken seriously, but it is usually not discussed at quite the same admissions difficulty level as BC. GW attracts many applicants because of its Washington, DC location, internship access, and strengths in areas like politics, international affairs, and public policy, yet the overall admit bar is typically a little less intense than Boston College’s.

That does not mean GW is easy or that BC is impossible. A student who is competitive for GW may still be denied at both schools, and a student with a strong profile could be admitted to either depending on fit, application quality, and institutional priorities. But if your main question is which one to label as more selective when planning your list, Boston College is the one to treat as harder to get into.