<p>Hey guys, I'm sort of new to this forum (well, posting wise) although I often read threads. And I've been hearing the phrase, "Top Tier colleges" a LOT and I wanted to know what that means? I mean, where would you consider the "cutoff" for "top tier colleges" because I don't there is one in the first place. Isn't the college search about finding the college FOR YOU, not necessarily finding the TOP colleges? Just wanted some clarification on that phrase though, thanks!</p>
<p>There’s an artificial pecking order of colleges in terms of prestige/reputation, and depending on who you talk to, the “top tier” is the top 10 or 25 or 50 schools according to that pecking order. Sometimes people think that HYPSM is the “top tier” and everything else is lower. Sometimes people thinkg that USNWR top 50 is the “top tier” (partly because they use that “tier” language). </p>
<p>In the end, you are of course correct that the college search is about finding the college FOR YOU. The fact that you’ve already figured that out bodes quite well for your search.</p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>Oh ok, thanks!</p>