About the Bunkel Ratings

Prep School Admissions
1

<p>I had four messages in my PM box asking me for more information about the Bunkel Ratings I referred to last year.</p>

<p>Here’s the deal since a disturbing number of people seem to be interested.</p>

<p>The Bunkel Ratings – as well as the “competing” ratings whose name I forgot that fun is fun argued were superior to Bunkel – are nothing more than a spoof, intended to point out how rankings/ratings use precision and quantification to give an appearance of accuracy and precision and, therefore, lend those ratings the same integrity that mathematics typically offers…when, in truth and at its core, the ultimate outcome presented in every rating and ranking system I have ever seen for boarding schools are just as subjective as anyone else’s opinions here.</p>

<p>People who cite rankings/ratings of boarding schools do so only to shout down other openly subjective opinions by creating an illusion of credibility.</p>

<p>People who rely on rankings/ratings of boarding schools do so at their peril.</p>

<p>Sure, look at them and consider them as a part of the big picture…but give any ranking or rating system you encounter exactly 0.00 (repeating) weight over any other articulated opinions presented here that don’t happen to be backed up by bogus numerical data.</p>

<p>The name Bunkel Index comes from a college basketball rating system called the Dunkel Index. The Dunkel Index assigns a numeric value to each college team and then, supposedly, by taking the difference between the values of teams playing each other, you can get an “accurate” point spread. Like Dunkel, the Bunkel ratings were so precise that they were calculated TO THE TENTH OF A POINT! If you rely on Bunkel or other “precise” ratings/rankings for boarding school, then why not try your hand at using the Dunkel Index to bet on college hoops games to pay for your (or your child’s) tuition?</p>

<p>If, for some reason, you disagree with my contentions here, please understand this: Bunkel is far superior to the imaginary system that fun is fun hypes on this message board. I know it’s a little more expensive, but as imaginary ranking systems go, mine is far better than his (and every bit as good as anyone else’s). For $250.00 I will gladly sell you my incredibly precise Bunkel system. I just need to set up a payment mechanism and draft a license agreement replete with disclaimers and waivers that ensures you can’t sue me in the event Bunkel steers you in the wrong direction as you should be expected to bear full blame if that should happen no matter which system you rely on.</p>

2

<p>Well, look who’s checking in from France, home of the cheese eating surrender monkeys.</p>

<p>After your long absence, D’yer, you still see fit to attack the credibility of the acknowledged leader in Prep School Ranking Systems (PSRS). The WBTY Indices, established in 1956, was brought into existence by some of the most dynamic leaders in American education and letters. None other than William F. Buckley (Millbrook '44), Arthur Schlesinger (Milton '32) and Franklin D. Roosevelt III (Groton '49) were active in its establishment. Their goal was simple: produce a proactive, interdisciplinary and over-reaching system which would rank the best (and the worst) independent schools in the country. A worthy goal I would say!</p>

<p>The recently deceased Buckley, a notorious scamp, named the system We’re Better Than You. While that name may be regrettable, no one, except you perhaps, can deny that WBTY has helped millions of people make an informed decision as to where to spend a lot of money, and I mean a lot of money, on private education.</p>

3

<p>You’re on notice. I’m going to be watching you from Chez D’yer.</p>

<p>The problem with WBTY is that it is elitist. Bunkel is far superior in that it allows users to customize their rankings along a scoring matrix of 63 major indices (and a total of 487 sub-indices) that users can prioritize and weight to their specific tastes and preferences. Plus, because Bunkel is a subscription service, our numbers are updated quarterly…and more often than that for those who use the “Personal Phone Consultation” service (for a slightly additional fee of $1,100, for 40 minutes of advice per month (10 minutes per week)).</p>

<p>More precision, customizable rankings, and more frequent updates. Take that, WBTY!</p>

4

<p>Magnificent post, as always D’yer. You were missed.
I remember, I guess it was almost two years ago, reading the stats about Bunkel. I was always sure it was a spoof…with a tiny shred of doubt. :slight_smile: Good times indeed.
fun is fun, I was always sure yours were wrong. ;)</p>

5

<p>D’yer
Welcome back.
Can we join you in France?</p>

6

<p>prettyckitty-</p>

<p>They may be wrong but at least they’re real!</p>

7

<p>WBTY=We’re Better Than You. LOL</p>