<p>I’ve always found it a remarkable affirmation of Carleton’s academic quality that the school has maintained its US News rankings “against the odds” (an average #6 LAC position over the last decade by my calculations). Minnesota can’t come close to matching the applicant numbers you’ll find in the Northeast. Add to that the inclusion in the US News formula of financial resources. Though reasonably strong, our endowment will never match the deeper pockets of the likes of Amherst, Williams or Pomona. One can only hope for lots and lots of Matrix and Lord of the Rings residuals for years to come (Barrie Osborne, Class of '66).</p>