Is the University of Maryland or Wake Forest harder to get into?

Wake Forest is harder to get into overall than the University of Maryland. Its applicant pool is more selective relative to the size of its entering class, and admission typically requires a stronger academic and extracurricular profile. Maryland is still competitive, but its overall admission process is less selective than Wake Forest’s.

A key difference is enrollment scale. Wake Forest is a smaller private university with a limited first-year class, so it has fewer seats available for a large pool of applicants. Maryland enrolls a much larger undergraduate class and, as a public flagship, has a broader mandate to serve Maryland residents; in-state applicants therefore have a meaningful admissions advantage.

Wake Forest’s review also places substantial emphasis on the rigor of a student’s coursework, grades in that context, recommendations, activities, and written materials. It is test-optional, but applicants should not interpret that policy as making admission easier. Strong grades in demanding courses and distinctive engagement outside class remain important.

At Maryland, overall admission is more attainable, but selectivity can rise noticeably by college or program.