Is Harvard harder to get into than Northwestern University?

Yes. Harvard is harder to get into than Northwestern University on overall admissions selectivity. Both schools deny many exceptionally qualified applicants, but Harvard faces a larger global applicant pool for a comparably small entering class and has historically admitted a smaller share of applicants than Northwestern.

Harvard’s applicant pool is especially concentrated with students who have near-perfect grades, demanding coursework, major awards, substantial leadership, or unusual achievement. That means even applicants who would be highly competitive at Northwestern can be denied at Harvard because the final decisions often turn on institutional priorities, distinctive contribution, and limited space rather than academic readiness alone.

Northwestern is also extremely selective and should not be treated as a likely or “safe” option for any applicant. Its admissions process is similarly holistic, with strong attention to course rigor, academic performance, activities, recommendations, and fit with the university’s programs. Still, Harvard belongs in the highest-reach category for virtually every applicant, while Northwestern, though still a reach for most students, is modestly less difficult to enter overall.