What is the hardest public university to get accepted to?

There's no single definitive answer to the question of the "hardest" public university to get into. Acceptance rates are a common metric, but they don't tell the whole story. A very selective university might have a low acceptance rate simply because they receive a massive number of applications from highly qualified students.

However, consistently among the most difficult public universities to gain admission to are those in the University of California (UC) system, specifically:

* University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley): It consistently boasts incredibly low acceptance rates and highly competitive applicant pools.

* University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA): Similar to Berkeley, UCLA is extremely competitive, with a very low acceptance rate and a large applicant pool of highly qualified students.

* University of California, San Diego (UCSD): Also highly selective, UCSD attracts many strong applicants.

Other public universities that frequently appear on lists of the most difficult to get into include some within the University of Michigan system (Ann Arbor in particular) and certain flagship state universities depending on the year and applicant pool.

The "hardest" is subjective and depends on the applicant's individual profile and the specific year. Focusing solely on acceptance rates can be misleading. A more holistic approach considering the applicant's GPA, test scores (where applicable), extracurricular activities, and essays provides a more accurate picture of their chances.