Is Washington University in St. Louis or Boston College generally harder to get into?

Washington University in St. Louis is generally considered slightly harder to get into than Boston College. Both are highly selective private universities, and neither should be treated as a likely admission for a strong applicant. The difference is not large enough to make Boston College a true “safety”; it is still a reach for many students with excellent grades and rigor.

WashU tends to attract applicants with very strong academic records, especially students interested in pre-med, business, engineering, and research-oriented opportunities. A student applying there should present demanding coursework, sustained intellectual engagement, and a clear record of contribution outside class.

Boston College may fit students drawn to a Jesuit, undergraduate-centered environment with strong programs in business, economics, nursing, social sciences, and the liberal arts. Admissions readers look closely for academic preparation as well as service, community involvement, and alignment with BC’s emphasis on formation and reflection.

For list-building purposes, place WashU in the more selective reach category and BC as a reach or high target depending on the strength of your record, but avoid assuming that the distinction will determine your result. Course rigor, grades in context, writing, activities, and institutional priorities can matter more than their small difference in overall selectivity.