Is Boston College or Emory University harder to get into?

Emory University is typically harder to get into than Boston College. Both are highly selective private universities with strong applicant pools, but Emory has recently admitted a smaller share of applicants overall and tends to draw especially intense competition for programs in business, health-related fields, and the sciences. Boston College is also very difficult to enter, particularly for applicants to the Carroll School of Management and nursing.

Emory’s selectivity is shaped in part by its national and international reach, its location in Atlanta, and the popularity of pre-med and research-oriented pathways. Applicants are considered for either the Atlanta campus or Oxford College, depending on the application choice, but both routes are selective. A compelling academic record at the highest level available, strong recommendations, and clear evidence of engagement beyond grades matter at both schools.

The gap is not large enough to treat Boston College as a safety for an applicant who is competitive at Emory. For most seniors, both should be viewed as reach-level admissions choices, with the exact odds influenced by factors such as intended major, course rigor, residency or international status, and whether applying through an early admission plan.