New Yorker article on the US News College Ranking

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a university where "breaking into the top 20" has long been our mantra, and we sit well below that year after year. My own view is that the rankings are sticky, and will never change, and this article gives a reason why. But a more enlightened view is that there are lots of great institutions out there, and lots of problems at the top ones. So your choice is to try to go to a top school, and gain benefits of prestige, or go to another place where you may be perfectly happy. Both strategies have advantages. But don't sit around expecting the rankings to move very much in our lifetimes, or those of our kids. You just have to take it as a given and move on.

At the beginning of her college search DD had her eye on only a few schools, one in particular, not ivy, but highly competitive LAC. We visited these schools and they truly were lovely, but due to research she decided to take a look at lesser known and less prestigious schools. She will admit she started these visits with a snooty attitude and a ton of bias, but that melted quickly. She found MANY wonderful lesser known schools throughout the east coast and midwest and several that surpassed her original first choice as far as being a fit for her.

I am so glad that she did not limit herself. She has not made her final decision yet and is still awaiting word from a few schools, but she has several acceptances from some very fine colleges and most of these arrived with merit offers. Searching for a school that fit her as opposed as striving to fit a school has made her final year of high school a tad less stressful.

name them. Then we will see how "fine" they are.

They are a good fit for her and this is all that matters.

[Anonymous]

While I have traditionally agreed that US news rankings are 'sticky,' this is truly not the case for small liberal arts colleges. The top five have moved around a bit, but the top 50 have changed a lot. When I was applying to college 20 years ago (gulp!), the likes of Barnard, Colorado College, Mount Holyoke, Bryn Mawr, Skidmore, and Connecticut college - were all top 20 or pretty darn close. And look at them now! it is quite shocking. These are all schools that I couldn't get in to, and now the school I went to has been brushing up to the top 20 (this year 23) for the last five years. I particularly notice the Claremont Colleges (Pomona has always been a top school), but Claremont McKenna, Harvey Mudd and Scripps have all skyrocketed. I therefore think things are a bit more nuanced than money.

[Anonymous]

The US News and World reports are largely about money. 35% of the ranking is related to faculty resources, alumni giving, and financial resources. Here is their methodology stating it is about money.

http://www.usnews.com/education/articles/2010/08/17/how-us-news-calculates-the-college-rankings?PageNr=1

[Anonymous]

Ha, "Top 14 Party Dorms in the U.S." http://campussplash.com/annual-dormy-awards-launch-of-dormsplash-a-dorm-review-website/

THREE of them are at D.C. schools: Georgetown, Catholic, and GW. Nary a PSU dorm in sight (because they're dry).

Man, do I hate people who call PSU a party school, especially compared to there local colleges with much rowdier on-campus life. At least when the drinking's strictly limited to off-campus, there's a chance your kid won't be drinking underage. (Not to mention how much easier it is to get served in DC bars vs bars in the town PSU is located in.)

[Anonymous]

Penn State was the #1 party school in 2009 according to Princeton Review, but it has now fallen to #3, behind U Georgia and U Ohio.
Although I am sure it is a fine school in many respects, it is still plaugued by a "booze culture."
See, http://www.statecollege.com/news/local-news/alcohol-abuse-a-primary-concern-for-penn-state-president-graham-spanier-376705/#

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Actually, Penn State is ranked #83 in in the aggregate world university ranking taking all 3 into account. Although it is not as high as The University of Maryland at #79, it is well ahead of UVA at #99.

. This is interesting. Seems like the world rankings give the edge to ivy's and hard science schools.

[Anonymous]

To the last poster: So glad you live in Maryland, went to U of Maryland, and will send your kids to U of Maryland. Why are you so hung up on U of Virginia? Those of us who would infinitely prefer to send our kids to UVa aren't endlessly comparing the two schools. Your constant comparison of the two seems a bit needy and insecure, and is getting, frankly, a bit repetitious. Give it a rest.

[Anonymous]

For me and I assume many here, the most important consideration is not of the "university" as a whole but the undergraduate eduction one will receive, and more specifically the specific program in which the kid wants to enroll. Those world rankings probably take into account things like the graduate schools, the number of Nobel Laureates on the faculty and other things that may not affect undergraduate education that much.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To the last poster: So glad you live in Maryland, went to U of Maryland, and will send your kids to U of Maryland. Why are you so hung up on U of Virginia? Those of us who would infinitely prefer to send our kids to UVa aren't endlessly comparing the two schools. Your constant comparison of the two seems a bit needy and insecure, and is getting, frankly, a bit repetitious. Give it a rest.

. I went to PSU. Just comparing to local schools. UVA #99 is good. This is in the whole world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I work in a university where "breaking into the top 20" has long been our mantra, and we sit well below that year after year. My own view is that the rankings are sticky, and will never change, and this article gives a reason why. But a more enlightened view is that there are lots of great institutions out there, and lots of problems at the top ones. So your choice is to try to go to a top school, and gain benefits of prestige, or go to another place where you may be perfectly happy. Both strategies have advantages. But don't sit around expecting the rankings to move very much in our lifetimes, or those of our kids. You just have to take it as a given and move on.

At the beginning of her college search DD had her eye on only a few schools, one in particular, not ivy, but highly competitive LAC. We visited these schools and they truly were lovely, but due to research she decided to take a look at lesser known and less prestigious schools. She will admit she started these visits with a snooty attitude and a ton of bias, but that melted quickly. She found MANY wonderful lesser known schools throughout the east coast and midwest and several that surpassed her original first choice as far as being a fit for her.

I am so glad that she did not limit herself. She has not made her final decision yet and is still awaiting word from a few schools, but she has several acceptances from some very fine colleges and most of these arrived with merit offers. Searching for a school that fit her as opposed as striving to fit a school has made her final year of high school a tad less stressful.

name them. Then we will see how "fine" they are.

Time for your meds.

[Anonymous]

butt chugging
http://www.ivygateblog.com/2011/01/cornells-chi-psi-fraternity-enjoys-its-keystone-with-a-tinge-of-ass/