At What Price?

BJM8
Mon, 20 Feb 2006 14:02:43 +0000

Should Smith start trying to play the ratings game? Or should they concentrate on doing what they’ve always done best – provide an environment for learning that is supportive on so many levels I can’t begin to count them all, the kind of environment from which their students can launch rich and interesting lives. I vote for the latter.

Two different areas here:


the latter; refers to current students and all the wonderful things we know that Smith does, and does well. This cannot be argued, but could be stressed a little more by the college.
The former; refers to Smith playing the ratings game. Yeah, they have to, unfortunately. They have dropped precipitously in the rankings. Granted our D’s will be great ambassadors for the college, all the while helping them with their rankings status i.e. SAT’s, SAT II’s, AP’s. etc But, how long and how low can they really afford to drop before losing top-notch students just based on rankings alone? Many of us CC’ers are extremely happy with Smith for what they do and can or will do for our D’s. I sure hope they never have to go the coed route, and I doubt they ever will; but I’m sure Amherst felt the same way, as did Vassar et al. If they are not careful they will begin losing top-notch students to Wellesely; which really is their only competition right now. If Wellesley remains #4 and Smith remains #19; that’s a problem, period!