What is considered "lower tier"? Some areas in CA are also more/less desirable than others

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What is considered "lower tier"? Some areas in CA are also more/less desirable than others << OP probably means like a Loma Linda compared to a Stanford

i think there is some truth to it, seems like ppl that i know ranked places in CA higher due to location. probs similar to NYC

coming from a CA school, i know a lot of ppl signaled and interviewed with smaller CA programs, but I chose not to signal bc there's so many applicants applying to these small programs with only 2 spots. felt like a long shot, esp when there are home students and away rotators who have a better chance

<I see. It seems that CA programs are just hard to into in general comparatively but for different reasons