<p>“So your comment, while I understand the thinking behind it, actually makes no sense. If Iona was Not Rated the year after they were found to be cheating, I suspect it had more to do with USNWR deciding they could not trust the data rather than the correct data being that different. After all, even if the data was much worse, they would still get a ranking, albeit a much lower one.”</p>
<p>I think you are seeing this situation rather myoptically, fallen chemist, looking at just numbers and not the the bigger picture. This is more than just some stats misreported.</p>
<p>Your comment that USN&WR “Decided” they could not trust Iona’s data as to why they were dropped so far, yet think Emory just used different data is hopeful and irrational: what Iona …or Clearmont…did they only did for 2 years, what Emory did they did for 12 years. USN&WR may not take kindly to incorrect information reported as it hurts their credibility as a leading college research tool and may “Decide” they cannot trust Emory’s data as they did not trust Iona’s. To do less would subject them to charges of favoratism or bias. While YOU may see Emory’s action as a small difference in data, many news articles and editorials I have read on this have used words such as “Fraud”, “Cheating” and “Lies”. If it were purely just a mathematical formula, Iona would not have fallen so far as you point out. The fact that it did suggests more is at play than just mathematics. Do you really believe as fine a school as Emory is, it should be above the valuations and judgements given to other schools when they report false data? …for 12 years? You may not think Emery cheated, but many do.</p>
<p>I guess we will have to wait untill next year to see what effect this does have on the ratings. Emory will bounce back.</p>