<p>“No, there are too many other factors involved. Interesteddad may have some insight. Perhaps Swat offers fewer majors, or is even more self-selecting. I think these lists are more useful for identifying schools rather than ranking them.”</p>
<p>Agreed. </p>
<p>As far as the ‘colleges that change lives’ it is what it is - a short list of colleges the author believes set themselves apart with (seemingly) a core factor being overlooked schools (at least before the book came out). That said, I think the author would be hard pressed to discuss the merits of how St. Olaf’s College changes lives more than Carleton College (of which both in the same town).</p>