<p>Middlebury is ranked 4th in the US News rankings, one spot behind Swarthmore and one ahead of Wellesley.</p>
<p>Skidmore is in a five way tie for 41st with Connecticut College, Franklin and Marshall, Furman, and Union.</p>
<p>BUt I cant support how the US News and world report ranks schools based on a seemingly arbitrary set of criteria in an effort to assess in uniform terms what at its core a highly individualized experience. A great many kids would fare better both during and after their time in college by attending a Skidmore versus a Middlebury, based on their own plans, preferences, and feelings. Midd does not shine in the arts, both in course offerings and in campus culture</p>