Boston University vs Claremont McKenna College

Claremont McKenna College is the more selective of the two at 10%, versus 11% at Boston University. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Boston University
Highly selective
11%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1500
Private · Massachusetts
Claremont McKenna College
Most selective
10%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1520
Private · California

Boston University vs Claremont McKenna College: the differences that matter

How Boston University and Claremont McKenna College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Boston University and Claremont McKenna College are almost equally selective (11% vs 10%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Boston University leans more on state residency, while Claremont McKenna College puts more weight on standardized test scores, recommendations, extracurricular activities. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Boston University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1500 and Claremont McKenna College's is around 1520. Admitted students at Claremont McKenna College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorBoston UniversityClaremont McKenna College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresconsideredimportant
Application essayvery importantvery important
Recommendationsimportantvery important
Extracurricular activitiesimportantvery important
Talent / abilityconsideredvery important
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantvery important
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Boston University or Claremont McKenna College harder to get into?

Claremont McKenna College is harder to get into, with a 10% acceptance rate versus 11% at Boston University.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Boston University and Claremont McKenna College?

Boston University's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1500, and Claremont McKenna College's is around 1520.

What are my chances at Boston University and Claremont McKenna College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.