Harvard University is significantly harder to get into than UCLA.
Acceptance Rates: A Clear Indicator
The primary indicator of a university's selectivity is its acceptance rate. A lower acceptance rate signifies a more competitive admissions process, as fewer applicants are admitted relative to the total number of applications received.
- Harvard University: Historically maintains one of the lowest acceptance rates in the world, standing at 6%.
- UCLA: While highly selective among public universities, has an acceptance rate of 17%.
This stark difference means that for every 100 applicants, Harvard admits only 6, whereas UCLA admits 17. This makes Harvard over twice as difficult to get into based on acceptance rates alone.
Academic Profile of Admitted Students
Another critical factor in determining the difficulty of admission is the academic profile of admitted students, particularly average standardized test scores like the SAT. Higher average scores indicate a more academically competitive pool of applicants.
| University | Average SAT Scores | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Harvard | 1400 - 1600 | 6% |
| UCLA | 1180 - 1470 | 17% |
As shown in the table:
- Harvard's admitted students typically score between 1400 and 1600 on the SAT, with the lower end of this range being higher than the upper end for UCLA.
- UCLA's admitted students typically score between 1180 and 1470 on the SAT.
This data further reinforces that successful Harvard applicants generally present stronger academic credentials, including higher standardized test scores, compared to those admitted to UCLA.
For a more detailed comparison of these institutions, you can refer to resources like CampusReel's Harvard vs. UCLA comparison.
