<p>“More likely Amherst is simply reporting only the higher of the two scores and treating the lower one as unreported, thereby artificially inflating its SAT and ACT medians relative to its rivals who are reporting all scores they receive.”</p>
<p>I believe it.</p>
<p>Amherst is hellbent on diversity, and it is willing to put aside SAT scores and class rank to achieve it. Evidence? Its steadily falling SAT ranges (of enrolled students); and, only 79 percent of enrolled 2012ers ranked in the top decile of their high school classes. Both of these criteria happen to be worth a stupid amount in Papa Chicken’s ranking. Also, me: I am living proof.</p>
<p>That doesn’t mean, however, that Amherst isn’t as selective as its peers. In fact, I would argue that it is even more selective than its brethren: the strongest, unhooked applicants can expect to be shafted because of diversity initiatives and heavy athletic recruiting.</p>