what is top tier?

"I mean it can't be based on myth that is being perpetuated over and over that some houses are Top Tier just because someone says so." Of course it is because someone says so! There is no majority vote, no consensus, no official evaluation process, no one with oversite or knowledge of all the houses, no designated authority with the last word, and there sure isn't any objectivity whatsoever. Do you think someone would spout their rankings or tiers without an agenda? Everything on here is self-ranking and self-promoting in some form or another. Your house is best, your competitors in recruitment need to look bad, and the same goes for the fraternity/sorority your house socializes with because obviously that reflects on your house's rank and tier as well. Who are you going to believe, other people's agenda or your own opinion?