<p>SAY simply asserts that the ratings favoring his school are sensible while others are not. An analysis of USNWR versus Forbes is more useful and does show a correlation between the two–with certain differences including those based on student satisfaction and achievement. See: [Views:</a> Rankings Are Useful – But Go Beyond ‘U.S. News’ - Inside Higher Ed](<a href=“http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2008/08/28/vedder]Views:”>http://www.insidehighered.com/views/2008/08/28/vedder)</p>
<p>It’s no conicidence that Brandeis’ high ranking is reflected in its high-achieving alumni (despite its small size and relative youth)–to name just a few: Nobel Prize winner for chemistry Rod Mackinnon, Fields Medal winning physicist Edward Witten (often called “Einstein’s successor”), 3-time Pulitzer Prize winner Tom Friedman of the NY Times, The Earth is Flat etc; Mitch Albom of Tuesday’s with Morrie (about his Brandeis professor), the Creators/Producers of Friends; actress Debra Messing; activists Angela Davis and Abbie Hoffman; Robert FX Sillerman (billionaire businessman–currently owner of American Idol and Graceland) and Christy Hefner, former CEO of Playboy). </p>
<p>Once again, all ratings are subjective and should be one factor in selecting a college, but not a dispositive one. </p>
<p>“For example, among the national research universities, six of the top 15 schools in the U.S. News rankings did not make the Forbes top 15 – University of Pennsylvania, Duke University, Dartmouth College, Washington University in St. Louis, Cornell, and Johns Hopkins. Forbess top 15, however, includes Brown, Rice, Brandeis, Boston College, Tufts and the University of Virginia. Northwestern and Washington University in St. Louis are tied for 12th in U.S. News, but Forbes ranks Northwestern much higher (6th vs. 33rd) than Wash U among national research universities.”</p>