What makes colleges selective?

Hey, I have a question, so we always talk about the '25 most selective colleges', but I'm not totally clear about what 'selective' means in this context. Is it about the number of applications they receive, the grades and test scores they require, or something else?

Your question touches on an essential aspect of college admissions - selectivity. In short, a 'selective' college is one that only admits a small percentage of its applicants. The higher the percentage of applicants the college rejects, the more selective it is said to be.

There are several factors that influence a college's selectivity. Firstly, as you've rightly guessed, it is about the number of applications they receive. The more applications a college gets relative to its capacity, the more selective it can afford to be. This is one reason why colleges popular among students both domestically and internationally, like the Ivy League colleges, tend to be more selective.

Secondly, the academic profile of the student body is another indicator. Colleges that have high minimum thresholds for GPAs and standardized test scores (where applicable) for their applicants and admitted students are considered more selective. This is because a high standard academically signals to prospective students that the institution is competitive and might reject applicants who don't reach those standards.

Another factor can be the prestige or reputation of the school. Schools that are highly respected for their academic programs, faculty, or student experiences often can be more selective because they are more attractive to a broad pool of students.

Finally, a college's selectivity can also be influenced by various other aspects of its application process, such as its holistic review policy, rigorous interview process, or additional supplemental essays requirements.

Let's take an example. A school like Harvard is considered highly selective because it has a very high applicant-to-admission ratio (around 5% acceptance rate), high academic standards for admission (average SAT scores and GPAs are in the top percentile), and a prestigious reputation.

Keep in mind that selectivity doesn't necessarily correlate with educational quality all the time. Many excellent colleges and universities have higher acceptance rates but still provide a top-tier education and student experience.