Most popular universities to apply to?

I'm a junior looking to figure out my college application list, and I’m curious about which universities are currently the most popular to apply to. Does popularity correlate with acceptance rates or prestige?

Some of the most popular universities in terms of application numbers are larger public universities and highly prestigious institutions. This includes institutions like University of California Los Angeles (UCLA), University of California, Berkeley (Cal), and University of Texas Austin (UT Austin), as well as Ivy Leagues like Harvard, Yale, and Princeton.

Now, whether popularity correlates with acceptance rates or prestige, it's a bit of a mixed bag. Usually, highly prestigious universities receive a high volume of applications due to their prestige, leading to a lower acceptance rate. For instance, Ivy League schools receive tens of thousands of applications each year, resulting in single-digit acceptance rates.

On the other hand, large public universities, like the University of Texas or UCLA, also receive many applications due to factors such as a large student capacity, broad range of academic programs, and in-state tuition benefits for residents. These schools might have higher acceptance rates than smaller, highly selective institutions. However, the acceptance rates for out-of-state students may be significantly lower at these institutions.

Popularity and prestige do often go hand-in-hand, particularly as it relates to the reputation of academic programs, opportunities for research and internships, and career outcomes. However, high popularity doesn't automatically make a school the best choice for every student. It's best to choose a college based on factors like academic fit, campus culture, cost, location, and your long-term career goals.