<p>I feel fairly certain that USNWR knew absolutely nothing about what is referenced above. Smith is a much better place than it was even 10 years ago, what with the engineering program, massive new science center, new poetry center, expanded language offerings, expanding international programs. Those other schools must either be doing extraordinary things to be “moving ahead” even faster. More likely, those so-called “peers” (deans, etc.) doing the peer-ranking know even less about other institutions than they used to (which isn’t very much).</p>