@jym626, the acceptance rate had already dropped from 55% to 41% for the Freshman class of 2013 (no common app). It further dropped to 33% for the Freshman class of 2014 (first year of common app). It is expected to be in the low 30s again this year.
http://www.admission.gatech.edu/life-tech/class-profile
http://www.news.gatech.edu/2013/05/14/freshman-admission-switches-common-application
OP, I think you maybe interpreting incorrectly what your counselor is stating. Also, one number refers to the overall rank (in the 30s), the other the public univ rank (actually #7 currently). Someone had actually posted a link of the top 50 univs for USNWR rankings for 30 years or so in CC, wish I had bookmarked it.