<p>There have been countless debates over which one is harder than the other, Caltech or MIT. It usually comes to about the same conclusion every time; it depends on too many factors (major, classes chosen, work style, etc.) to come to any definitive conclusion at all. Caltech does require a more extensive core than MIT, but that does not necessarily mean it’s harder. </p>
<p>I have a very hard time imagining any place being definitively harder than Caltech (other than perhaps an Asian university like IIT where the selection process is beyond insane). We have one of the smartest student bodies on average (if not the smartest on average) in the country, and this place kicks our butts all over the place. I can say with some confidence that Cornell is probably easier than Caltech, since I considered them for college for science and engineering, and if I had thought they were more difficult, I frankly would’ve gone there instead. But that’s my opinion. I can’t really speak for Princeton or UChicago.</p>
<p>On another note, you can make any place you go to difficult. Take 6 engineering classes at the same time and you’ll probably be having a fun time no matter where you go.</p>