Hi everyone! I'm doing my college search and I often hear about 'hard colleges.' When people say a college is hard, do they mean it's hard to get into (like, admission is tough) or hard to do well in once you're there (like, the grading is severe)? Really need some clarity on this.
Hello! Great question. When people refer to a 'hard college,' it can mean either hard to get admitted into (competitive admissions) or challenging academically once you're enrolled—or even both!
In context, if somebody mentions Harvard, Princeton, or Stanford as 'hard colleges,' they're likely referencing the competitive admissions process. These schools have low acceptance rates, meaning it's challenging to get an offer of admission due to the high number of applicants and the academic excellence these schools typically seek.
On the other hand, the phrase 'hard college' could also refer to the intensity of the academic program or the strict grading once you're enrolled. For instance, schools like MIT or Caltech are renowned for their rigorous academic programs, especially STEM-focused courses.
So, the word 'hard' could apply to either the admissions process or the academic rigor, and in many cases, it could apply to both. The meaning typically depends on the context of the conversation. If you still aren't sure, feel free to ask for clarification from whoever uses the term!
Best of luck with your college search!
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