<p>The criteria used in global rankings (as well as many rankings that attempt to rank nationally but that come from a global perspective) disproportionately disadvantage undergraduate-focused institutions like Brown in favor of research-oriented public universities like those in the University of California system. That apparent admissions selectivity and students’ preferences are in contrast to what the rankings you cite claim to be the superior schools is a testament to the ability of many students to see those rankings’ true value.</p>