Is Boston College or Northwestern harder to get into?

Northwestern is generally harder to gain admission to than Boston College. Both schools are highly selective and turn away many well-qualified applicants, but Northwestern typically has a more nationally and internationally competitive applicant pool and a lower overall admission rate.

Northwestern tends to be a reach even for applicants with top grades and a demanding high school curriculum. Students whose records show unusual depth in an academic area, sustained leadership, research, arts, entrepreneurship, or other meaningful commitments may be especially well positioned, but there is no profile that makes admission predictable. Applying Early Decision can affect the odds at either school, though it should only be used when the college is a clear first choice and financially workable.

Boston College is also a reach for many excellent students, particularly because it receives far more strong applications than it can accept. It may be a more realistic reach than Northwestern for an applicant with outstanding grades, rigorous coursework, thoughtful involvement, and a clear connection to BC’s undergraduate, Jesuit, service-oriented community. Students should still build a balanced list with likely and target options, rather than treating it as a safety.