There are tons of ranking sites scattered across the web and I can’t deny, I love seeing those lists… but in reality, is there any point to take them seriously? I’m sure if a school really cared, they could certainly bump their status on the list so is there any truth to them? Anyways, when you look at a college’s ranking, does it define them in any way? I would love to know what you guys think. Thanks!
Blogger over here at thinkingcollege.■■■■■■■■■■■■■. For those high school students and parents, I post articles about important information and key tips you should know about college, the admissions process, financial aid, etc… Oh, and I’ll be posting articles about all the discussions I post, so if you want to hear my two cents check it out.
Do u pick your vacation destination because Conde Naste Traveller ranked city #23 above city #24?
I mean when it comes to a one spot separation between two schools, it certainly becomes redundant… but let’s say you have two school 5 spots apart, or 10. Is the higher school really any more prestigious? Just curious if you guys think it should be an influence in any way big or small.
Search this site. This conversation takes place over and over.
elbazjosh, rankings are driven by methodology (and in some instances, sales!). They do not measure the actual quality of a university (which cannot be quantified), but rather, how well a university fits a specific methodology. Some methodologies favour large, research intensive universities while others favour smaller universities.
And even if you consider one methodology better than another, has the data been accurately, consistently and honestly presented, and has the formula taken concepts such as financial dependencies and economies of scale into consideration? Ranking Liberal Arts Colleges using a methodology is easier, since most LACs are roughly the same size, and private. But research universities vary so much in size and offerings, and many of them are private while many other are public that a single methodology cannot possibly yield consistant or accurate results.
Considering that there are thousands of universities, there probably isn’t going to be any meaningful difference between universities ranked within 15-25 spots of each other.
Rankings are seldom used by graduate school admissions committees or employers, both of which have their own standards of admission/recruiting which is not dependent on any particular ranking. Rankings are intended for high school students applying to universities, and college graduates seeking graduate school options.
Really not important IMO. Ivy Leagues certainly stand alone, but a school may be #14 because of its research opportunities. If you’re not planning to be a biologist, but an accountant, that #14 ranking certainly wouldn’t hold much clout then if the top school for your major is #70 on that list.
If you’re looking for prestige, then being in a high ranked school is certainly helpful, but numbers won’t necessarily get you into a top grad school or a high-paying job.