<p>“Well, if you think USNWR has no real impact on individuals or the colleges, I think you are kidding yourself. There has been plenty of news stories out there to prove otherwise”</p>
<p>I think it is clear that it is used positively by some individuals (as one tool to make the first cut, or as validation for selecting a school otherwise perceived as LESS prestigious) and negatively by others ( to make final decisions or to feel invalidated). </p>
<p>I think similarly there is indication that it leads schools to sometimes do bad things, sometimes do good things, but more often to do minor gamey things completely orthogonal to academic quality (sending out free apps to kids they know will never enroll to bump up their number of applications, for example) </p>
<p>I am not convinced the state of education in America would improve if they disappeared. I AM convinced my DD’s personal journey would have been more difficult.</p>