What does T20 and T30 mean for colleges?

I've been seeing people mention T20 and T30 colleges on this forum. Could someone please explain what these terms mean? Are they just shorthand for ranking the schools in some way?

Yes, T20 and T30 are shorthand ways to refer to the top-ranking colleges and universities in the United States. "T" stands for "top," and the number that follows represents the number of schools being considered within that range. So, T20 refers to the "Top 20" colleges, while T30 refers to the "Top 30" colleges.

These rankings are typically determined by various publications or organizations, such as U.S. News and World Report, The Times, and QS World University Rankings. They consider factors like selectivity, academic reputation, student-to-faculty ratios, undergraduate research opportunities, graduation rates, and post-graduation outcomes to compile these rankings.

However, it's important to remember that rankings don't tell the whole story. When searching for a college or university to attend, it's crucial to consider other factors, such as campus culture, location, available majors, financial aid, and specific opportunities that align with your personal interests and academic goals. While rankings can provide a helpful starting point when researching colleges, they shouldn't be your only consideration in the decision-making process.