<p>When I was applying to colleges I applied to one - Middlebury early decision. I always wondered whether or not I’d have been admitted at Williams or Amherst (honestly, couldn’t have cared less about Swarthmore). My parents always told me there’s no difference in the quality of education between a school like A or W and Midd, but I liked believing there was a difference between 5 and 1. I had a fantastic experience at Middlebury and wouldn’t trade it for anything. Today I refuse to believe there’s any qualitative difference between USN&WR #1 and #5, or #5 and #10 for that matter. Does anyone out there really believe that Harvard offers a better education than Columbia, or MIT or CalTech? We’re not talking the difference between Harvard and Brown (although I doubt there’s really any difference between the educations at those institutions either). You’re talking about Harvard and MIT. Give me a break. People need to get over this idea that the rankings are absolute standards. If you’re in that top group you’re getting a great education. And, through the years, I’ve met my share of Amherst alums that made me thrilled I never bothered to apply. Williams is filled with interesting people . . . who just made the mistake of choosing to be a purple cow rather than a Panther.</p>