<p>I wish had information that was this clear when I was applying, although the rankings point out things I already knew at the time. </p>
<p>Just as a quick analysis for people viewing the rankings, the schools that are ranked highest are schools that both have a tendency to rank higher in the USNews top 30 and have higher acceptance rates compared to those other top 30 schools. The schools in the middle of the rankings are schools that either rank the highest in the USNews top 30 and have low acceptance rates or schools that rank lower in the USNews top 30 and have higher acceptance rates. The schools at the bottom of the list are schools that are BOTH ranked lower in the USNews top 30 and that at the time have lower acceptance rates (something correlated with higher ranked schools). Personally, I think the bottom of these rankings points out schools that are a overrated choice for HS seniors to apply to, while the schools at the top of the spectrum point out schools that are perhaps underrated.</p>
<p>I love these rankings. For a high school student who is just starting the process and knows they want to go to a prestigious college, but knows nothing about the other factors yet, I feel like these ranking are a great way to start the process.</p>