I wonder how this would impact GWU's ranking next year? I recall GWU tied with tOSU at #53 three years ago on USNWR, but it has since moved into the Top-50.
Location: Xiggilandia where the ale trumps Westvleteren
Posts: 14,833
Hold your horses tight!
The impact on the USNews rankings will highly depend on the previous use of the data. People immediately assume that a change in the selectivity data results in a change in the ... ranked selectivity. With a lower number of students in the top ten percent, GWU will be reranked for THAT metric and then the overall number will be amended ... or not.
As in a previous similar cases, the fans of the schools that are immediately ranked below start to think that the updated numbers will have a major impact, and will be disappointed by the outcome. It simply does NOT work that way, or at least not with the expected tsunami.
Fwiw, "messing" with the selectivity index is a complete fool's errand, as its impact is much, much lower than expected, and is often mitigated by the expected graduation rate. In fact, a school might easily come out better by reporting LOWER scores.
The real astute cheaters know where to look for the biggest bang. A hint look at the Peer Assessment and reported financial and academic resources!
Yep, TV pundits were saying the actual ranking impact of the adjusted data would be minimal. But, being removed from the list is somewhat more dramatic.
Most important, I guess, is that GWU is still the same school today that it was yesterday!
Not exactly like the NCAA "death penalty," but a blow to a school that was hoping to move up in, not out of, the rankings.
+1
Quote:
Instead of 78 percent, only 58 percent had an elite spot in their high schools' top decile. Administrators had inflated those numbers for over a decade.
Similar to Emory's scandal, this "Top 10%" high schooler data manipulation has been going on for over a decade!!!! I wonder how this will impact GWU's "Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index" which is consisted of both the PA score & High School Counselor rating next year.
Also, I stand corrected! GWU is(was) currently tied for #51 (not Top-50) with BU & Tulane. Its "Undergraduate Academic Reputation Index" is(was) 75 compared to 77 of tOSU in this year's ranking.
GWU's mascot, our nation's founding father - Mr. Washington is rolling over in his grave as we speak! LOL
Location: Xiggilandia where the ale trumps Westvleteren
Posts: 14,833
Rjk, not when it is done over a long period of time by punishing your foes and helping your "friends." Geographical and historical cronyism reigns supreme in that survey that is hardly filled by ... objective and independent academics.
Actually, if you'd think about it a bit, you will realize NONE of the respondents is independent. And describing their objectivity would be an insult to the adjective.
