Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 10:34     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.


In my experience: More intellectually vibrant, creative, and interesting students; more academic freedom and choice, so it's easier to nurture multiple interests; a truer liberal arts education in the classic sense (vs. pre-professional feeling); a better sense of community. (Also, I never said "light years ahead." Just a bit ahead. A little higher. A little better. But they're all good schools.)

How? You aren't giving any actual resources/examples, just saying statements as if they're fact. How is an open curriculum a "truer liberal arts education"


Respectfully, I am not stating anything as fact. I've made it clear in my responses that this is my opinion, based on my experience. The question itself is inherently subjective, so no one can respond to it with anything other than an opinion. I was asked which colleges I thought were underrated, I thought about it for a bit, and I replied. I'm not sure why it's controversial to suggest that Wesleyan is underrated. It's a fabulous school. All the top slac's are, in fact, as I also said. As for "in my experience" - I have fairly deep experience at two different, highly rated private schools, so I'm thinking about which students we have sent where, as well as my friends who have had kids at some of these schools, and what I know of their experiences there. I've also toured most of them in the not-too-distant past. Hence my opinion is based on my experience of these schools, and when asked, I took time to explain why. If you don't like Wesleyan, then fair enough, but why not talk about the schools you do like rather than worry about what I think? Anyway, I stand by what I said: I think Wesleyan is underrated/under-ranked for what it offers relative to other similar schools, but they are all good.

All these words to say you’re talking out of your ass
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 06:05     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.


In my experience: More intellectually vibrant, creative, and interesting students; more academic freedom and choice, so it's easier to nurture multiple interests; a truer liberal arts education in the classic sense (vs. pre-professional feeling); a better sense of community. (Also, I never said "light years ahead." Just a bit ahead. A little higher. A little better. But they're all good schools.)

How? You aren't giving any actual resources/examples, just saying statements as if they're fact. How is an open curriculum a "truer liberal arts education"


Respectfully, I am not stating anything as fact. I've made it clear in my responses that this is my opinion, based on my experience. The question itself is inherently subjective, so no one can respond to it with anything other than an opinion. I was asked which colleges I thought were underrated, I thought about it for a bit, and I replied. I'm not sure why it's controversial to suggest that Wesleyan is underrated. It's a fabulous school. All the top slac's are, in fact, as I also said. As for "in my experience" - I have fairly deep experience at two different, highly rated private schools, so I'm thinking about which students we have sent where, as well as my friends who have had kids at some of these schools, and what I know of their experiences there. I've also toured most of them in the not-too-distant past. Hence my opinion is based on my experience of these schools, and when asked, I took time to explain why. If you don't like Wesleyan, then fair enough, but why not talk about the schools you do like rather than worry about what I think? Anyway, I stand by what I said: I think Wesleyan is underrated/under-ranked for what it offers relative to other similar schools, but they are all good.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 03:37     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan seems pretty underrated. I went to Amherst 30+ years ago, and I felt Wesleyan was a near peer. What happened?


Yes. My alma mater. Ranked too low, but Wes students could care less. They lnkw how special it is. That’s what’s great.


This is true of 50 or more LACs. Really it is dumb to rank them at all, and anyone who attended one knows it.


+100 Any t50 LAC will provide a great education. And there is no significant difference between any of the top 10 or 15, trying to rank them is pointless. People should just be happy knowing that for traditional liberal arts subjects any of them will provide an undergraduate education that is superior to anything else.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 01:01     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan seems pretty underrated. I went to Amherst 30+ years ago, and I felt Wesleyan was a near peer. What happened?


Yes. My alma mater. Ranked too low, but Wes students could care less. They lnkw how special it is. That’s what’s great.


This is true of 50 or more LACs. Really it is dumb to rank them at all, and anyone who attended one knows it.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 00:57     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I do think that the focus of popular universities is moving west and south.


Nope. I have two arguments for you: Climate change and Roe v Wade overturned. Why would one want to send DCs to states with hurricanes, fires, rising temps and banned abortions?

Census data and college application increases disagree


+1
Too funny. The PP blathers about the same things all over this forum, even in the face of actual facts.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 00:54     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.


In my experience: More intellectually vibrant, creative, and interesting students; more academic freedom and choice, so it's easier to nurture multiple interests; a truer liberal arts education in the classic sense (vs. pre-professional feeling); a better sense of community. (Also, I never said "light years ahead." Just a bit ahead. A little higher. A little better. But they're all good schools.)


DP. Are you the same Wesleyan booster from the other thread? Give it a rest.
Anonymous
Post 11/29/2025 00:03     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:Overranked: Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Carleton, Bates, Vassar

Underranked: Sewanee, Furman, Trinity (CT), Trinity (TX), Denison, Reed, Rhodes, Wofford

Putting the 3 best liberal arts college (My opinion, take it or leave) as overranked is actually insane.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 23:58     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Overranked: Pomona, Claremont McKenna, Swarthmore, Wesleyan, Smith, Bryn Mawr, Carleton, Bates, Vassar

Underranked: Sewanee, Furman, Trinity (CT), Trinity (TX), Denison, Reed, Rhodes, Wofford
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 23:17     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.


In my experience: More intellectually vibrant, creative, and interesting students; more academic freedom and choice, so it's easier to nurture multiple interests; a truer liberal arts education in the classic sense (vs. pre-professional feeling); a better sense of community. (Also, I never said "light years ahead." Just a bit ahead. A little higher. A little better. But they're all good schools.)

How? You aren't giving any actual resources/examples, just saying statements as if they're fact. How is an open curriculum a "truer liberal arts education"
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 23:08     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.


In my experience: More intellectually vibrant, creative, and interesting students; more academic freedom and choice, so it's easier to nurture multiple interests; a truer liberal arts education in the classic sense (vs. pre-professional feeling); a better sense of community. (Also, I never said "light years ahead." Just a bit ahead. A little higher. A little better. But they're all good schools.)


NP. Do you mean “In my opinion?” A little hard to believe you have equal and meaningful direct experience with all these institutions. I’m you know individuals at all, as many of us do, but meaningful comparisons would require more than this.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 23:06     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan seems pretty underrated. I went to Amherst 30+ years ago, and I felt Wesleyan was a near peer. What happened?


Yes. My alma mater. Ranked too low, but Wes students could care less. They lnkw how special it is. That’s what’s great.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 22:36     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.


In my experience: More intellectually vibrant, creative, and interesting students; more academic freedom and choice, so it's easier to nurture multiple interests; a truer liberal arts education in the classic sense (vs. pre-professional feeling); a better sense of community. (Also, I never said "light years ahead." Just a bit ahead. A little higher. A little better. But they're all good schools.)
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 22:29     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).

Can you actually back up this statement? What does Wesleyan deliver academically that’s light years ahead of Vassar, W&L, Smith, Barnard, Hamilton, Grinnell, Davidson or Middlebury, which are the schools keeping it from top 10.
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 22:25     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?


I did say it's a hair below WASP. But if ranking is primarily meant to indicate quality of education and student body, Wesleyan delivers on these better than many of the schools it ranks alongside. Not top 5, I concede, but should be top 10. Of course, all of this is subjective, and this is just my opinion (based on firsthand and secondhand experience with quite a few SLACs).
Anonymous
Post 11/28/2025 21:06     Subject: Most over-ranked/under-ranked LACS on USNWR?

Anonymous wrote:Wesleyan should be in the top 10. It used to be and dropped down a bit when they changed their algorithm and because endowment not as massive as some other schools, but intellectually it's right up there with the the top schools. Just a hair below Amherst, Williams, and Swarthmore, and definitely above Carleton, Vassar, Davidson, Colby, etc.

Oberlin, too, is underrated. Should be in top 25 at least.

Why does it deserve to be ranked higher for poor endowment performance, especially compared to WASP?