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Of course you are correct in that there are no true absolute apples to apples comparison between a Harvard and a SA, however, those who make a living annually ranking the ‘best’ and the ‘most difficult’ to obtain admission seem to think it is the best that they have. Actually, almost twenty years ago I had this exact conversation with the Head of the Candidate Guidance Office and I argued your point, unsuccessfully, I might add. I wish my memory was better. For any institution, the ratio of offers to acceptances is an indication of whether or not that particular institution is the first choice of those to whom offers were extended and, therefore, a viable statistic.</p>
<p>As an aside, does anyone who is truly concerned about the tuition, room, and board bill, considering Harvard’s endowment, really have to worry about it?</p>