<p>Lower acceptance rates are in the final analysis a function of higher numbers of applications. A higher ranked school will probably get more applications and thus its selectivity will increase. High selectivity rankings tend to self-perpetuate.</p>
<p>But there are many aberrations within USN&WR’s National University category. Numerous schools rank ahead of AU but admit higher percentages of applicants. #35, Georgia Tech, is a great school with a strong tradition but admits 60% of its applicants. Case Western is #41 but admits 73%. Tulane, a private with a strong reputation, admits only 27% but ranks 50th.</p>
<p>My read? The rankings should be taken with a grain of salt and exist primarily to sell magazines.</p>