sae

Because tiers really don't mean much!

"...my question is why is SAE ranked so low here when it's harder to get a bid from them over a "top tier" fraternity on the rank?"..
Ha ha ha ha ha ha
If SAE could attract the quality of pledges that Phi Sig (and Pike and Delt) draws then they would not be ranked so low. SAE is not a bad fraternity. But just because you're small doesn't mean you're elite or selective.

SAE may be cool guys. I'm actually of the belief that all fraternities have some nice guys. But, at the same time, they're prolly a little creepy and that's why Alpha Gam didn't even pair with them.

Just depends on whether the brothers like you or not, maybe the brothers at SAE didnt like your friend and the brothers at phi sig did, SAE isnt bad nor is phi sig good, its all personal preference and if the brothers like you!

SAE doesn't actually have that bad of guys. They have a lot of secretive studs. Their may be some weirdos but when they move into that new house by KA and pikapp next year I see them sitting solidly mid tier. They probably got stricter with bids expecting the fraternity's future. Along with KA, SAE has a 100% bid process meaning they do a chapter vote on each guy rushing and one no vote means no bid

"Secretive studs". There's a new one for the Urban Dictionary.
SAE has "100% bid process" because their national requires them to fully initiate everyone they pledge within 48 hours.