<p>Totally agree with the last post. Cross admit rates more often than not reflect a perception of popular-culture prestige (“how can you say no to Harvard?”), whereas in fact there are far better undergraduate educations to be had at a number of other top tier LACs/universities (e.g. top 20). Don’t get me wrong: you won’t fail in life for having attended HYPS over other schools that might be a better fit, but you won’t do better and may have a less rewarding undergraduate experience.</p>