<p>This is such a silly question.</p>
<p>With your logic, students at Harvard must be the smartest on average. </p>
<p>Students at HYP simply worked a bit harder, kissed their teachers more and participated in school activities - typical type-A students. They are not necessarily the smartes. Acceptance rates do not have any meaningful values other than the fact that it may indicate the popularity of schools among students.</p>
<p>Columbia’s acceptance rate is lower than Chicago simply because more students apply to Columbia than Chicago. Chicago’s harsh grading system and rigorous academic environment discourage/scare “normal” students to apply. </p>
<p>Chicago looks for students who are simply brilliant. These students may not have for some reason fully exerted their full potential during their high school years. </p>
<p>In terms of pure smartness, Chicago is one of the top schools known to have smart kids. You need to ask this question to students at HYP or Columbia. They will all be scared of Chicago kids.</p>
<p>You need to look at what percentage of Chicago students are represented at top graduate schools, top jobs and etc. Then, see how they do at those institutions. Chicago produces the top quality students.</p>
<p>If you are fortunate to get the admission, you will be silly to turn it down for some other schools because of your belief. </p>
<p>If you think that you are smart already, go to Chicago and you will feel stupid.</p>