Postmodern, I get it, But it matters less to anyone trying to understand what truly increases chances. And just shotgunning all the Ivies isn’t it, if you’re not informed and careful. It’s the notion applying to more tippy top colleges will somehow yield some admit that’s the problem. That misunderstanding.
The reality is that each TT college makes its own decisions, looking at the actual app/supp that kid chose to create (over the hs years and when filing out the forms.) In that respect, it’s independent, as we commonly use the word.
Of course there are some really super apps, holistically speaking. And sometimes, more than just “perfect” for Ivy X; you just know H will be interested. Or S. But that’s incredibly rare. And it hinges on a more complete understanding of the process than just looking at stats, CDS, or one’s own hs standing.
Among the big institutional needs are geo diversity and balancing interest in various majors.