<p>Jags, that is because the US News changed their formula in recent years. The year I applied more than 50% of applicants were wait-listed there. Thankfully US News did change it so that that was no longer as big of a factor. However, Wash U had already done what they had set out to do, they used US News to build a better reputation by manipulating their numbers. Seriously, that is what they did. Look at where Wash U was 15 years ago and you will see it had a meteoric rise, and it was in large part due to US News in my opinion. The applicants were merely pawns for getting where they wanted to be. It just goes to show you (I believe) that US News rankings really don’t rank the education you will receive at that school.</p>
<p>As for your argument that we do not have a hallmark program, I listed several hallmark programs at ND. Please show how other schools have more hallmark programs than those or demonstrate how those are not hallmark programs before saying that, because it has already been demonstrated to be false.</p>
<p>I agree with you on ND not putting out enough research, though they are investing heavily to change that, and I believe they will!</p>
<p>In your response to Lax you just further my point on why US News rankings are not to be trusted. You are right, they look at the quality of graduate education at the schools and unfortunately ND is lacking there (again, they are working on it). However, these are UNDERGRADUATE RANKINGS. How valid can a ranking of undergraduate programs be if a main factor is how good the grad program is? Next year I am going to a school with a fantastic grad program but a weak undergrad… should the weak undergrad be factored in to my grad school rankings? I think not.</p>
<p>EDIT: Last point…number taken off the waitlist last year at ND…0. I hope that changes this year though :)</p>