<p>I will agree that dartmouth came first in this house until rejected. But Midd doesn’t make the list because of Rankings and S would be really happy to go to any of the 7-8 schools he’s applying to. Granted, some slightly more than others, but none of his personal ranking system had anything to do with any published ranking, USNWR, Fortune or Brody. And I honestly think that’s the way it really should be for the students.</p>
<p>He has a mix of schools that are the size of Dartmouth and others that have a similar rural feel. All have excellent programs in what he wants to study. And each one has a special appeal. After getting rejected his consolation was his hope that he’d have a couple to choose from and that would be kind of fun. I mean he has Johns Hopkins on there as well, which is not exactly Midd. But there is something he really loves at each one.</p>
<p>However, when I read about all these complicated strategies of EDII and see deferrals and rejections (and soon to be wait lists in a few months) of seemingly really “crazy smart” kids, I admit to getting very nervous. But I do think some of these ranking rise and fall based on Alumni support as a catalyst. Endowments increase, higher ranking,. One feeds the other which then increases name recognition. Of course, the more often you have your professors quoted in the press on intelligent matters, I think that really increases notoriety. Dartmouth, and other small universities, benefit in opinion because of their graduate schools and the research opportunities that go with that. </p>
<p>Point being: Both Dartmouth and Middlebury are fabulous schools, as is Colgate etc etc etc. but the ranking of anyone else means very little when the student’s opinion is what counts the most. Personally, I think a student will be really really happy if he/she gets into at least two of their PERSONAL top five. In the end, students who get to make a choice are more likely to stay at whatever school and then… again, the school’s ranking improves due to retention of freshman students. </p>
<p>As our college counseling office LOVES to say: It’s not a prize to be won, but a match to be made. And their number one on a list of advice to parents is:</p>
<p>“Disregard rumors about college admission and be very, very cautious of all rankings.”</p>
<p>I am trying… but it is really really hard to do. As a parent, sedatives seem a reasonable option. :0</p>