I think that’s merc81’s point. The schools AnonMomof2’s daughter got into are highly selective SLAC, making them less known to people who could probably never get into the school.
ETA: Not sure that theory is accurate as I know plenty of people whose kids get into selective colleges who couldn’t name NESCAC schools to save their lives. I think we forget how highly obscure college branding is to the average person (remember only 35% of American’s have college degrees, only 60% or so even start college at all).