No, that was in response to @Shelby_Balik. Sorry to confuse.
I am not sure what your reference is to the calendar of events, but there may be students interested in participating on line (which I see as a good thing, to start to familiarize themselves with the process), as Vassar students have not returned to campus yet.
The W&L Career Center posted today on Instagram.
"We’re so proud to have made recent lists from @theprincetonreview and @linkedinnews highlighting our career services, professional outcomes, and alumni network!
Washington and Lee placed #3 in the Best Career Services and Best Alumni Networks (Private Schools) categories in The Princeton Review’s 𝘉𝘦𝘴𝘵 391 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘨𝘦𝘴 publication, which is based on student ratings. W&L landed at #29 overall on LinkedIn’s Top Colleges 2025 list and ranked in the Top 5 for job placement and network strength."
My D21’s personal experience was nothing but positive. Like at any school students must seek out the resources, but they are plentiful for anyone who asks. My D used the Career Center for help with CV/LinkedIn/Handshake and for identifying opportunities that best fit her goals. They also helped with interview prep. She had multiple internships (one notably due to alumni connection) and is now in a funded fellowship for her glide year before med school (fingers-crossed). The Pre-Health Advising team continues to meet with her monthly to discuss her med school application process and keep their records up to date for her LORs. So the support does not end at graduation.
ETA: While W&L is particularly recognized by LinkedIn for its business-related majors, our experience in STEM (pre-med) was outstanding.
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So many education traditionalist frown upon the newer rankings like LinkedIn, and even WSJ. They dislike and are skeptical of the new faces and are disgruntled that the tried and true institutions are receiving lower marks.
My take is different. The old rankings seem to be adding measures that are less relevant to what families actually value. This allows familiar names to prevail. The new rankings are opening eyes to where the puck is moving. Those who ignore the evolution will be surprised that there are more Northeasterns coming our way, and similarly, that some of US News’ top 50’s liberal arts colleges are becoming afterthoughts.
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Great example of a liberal arts college that has evolved into a best of both worlds institution. Nicest building on campus is the brand new business school.
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I was surprised by this, but seems to be true.
What do you mean? Northeastern didn’t make it into the LinkedIn ratings.
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Actually - Bucknell was highest - #21 (of pure LACs) - if a pure LAC has business and engineering - of which both Bucknell and W&L do. I’m sure those majors are ranking drivers here.
And these schools that aren’t perceived as the creme de la creme are making you aware.
How great for them to add during an admissions tour.
And you mentioned Miami in the next message - they too are taking advantage and have listed it.
For all who say the ranking means nothing - are missing the point. All rankings mean something to someone…whose job is to promote the school. And they likely matter to those in attendance. I’m sure the students at these schools that are normally not seen at the top are letting everyone know.
Bucknell No. 1 Among Liberal Arts Colleges on LinkedIn’s Rankings for Long-term Career Success
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6 posts were split to a new thread: Money Ranking of Top Colleges
Why be so literal? Northestern has transformed themselves over time. On the other hand, would be interesting to see the next 100.
Maybe they are #51 
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When reading the forbes list, or other career outcome lists like tableau, it is important to look at the number/percent of respondents. In many cases, such as my alma mater, the numbers are quite small and the lists, while entertaining, are often not statistically meaningful.
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Don’t you think that a lack of #'s reflects a lack of career orientation at many of the schools? And I am not saying this about Vassar necessarily as they have a highly regarded business club that is deserving of mention.
Poor engagement - the kids don’t care enough to help out the school or the school didn’t make a concerted effort.
Or perhaps their efforts are better lately - again, because #s impact.
Then again, I don’t believe that 13% # - because they show 240 responses in class of 2023, and 262 in class of 2022. And those are just those working. Then others are going to school, etc. so it’s well above.
It is a shame these LACs hide salaries. But I’m guessing that’s because they wouldn’t give a good look (because they don’t have business nor engineering).
They do say see this - but then see much better Bucknell reporting below that!!
Vassar Outcomes
- More than 90% of seniors participate in an internship by the time they graduate (compared with 50–65% nationally)
- 94% of graduates are working, participating in a fellowship/year-of-service, or continuing their education within six months of graduation (average of last three graduating classes)
- 71% are working or in a fellowship/service year
- 23% are continuing their education
- By 15 years out, more than 70% of Vassar graduates have an advanced degree
- Vassar’s law school acceptance rate is 88% for applicants over the past three admission cycles (compared to a 70% national acceptance rate for the same period)
- Vassar’s medical school acceptance rate is 80% for applicants over the past three admission cycles (compared to a 48% national acceptance rate for the same period)
As an aside, Bucknell - that of business and engineering, does provide salaries and response rates very clearly. They are playing from behind and that’s likely why. And yes, when the data isn’t usable, they note it - for all those who like to say it’s near useless.
kids who don’t care and schools that do not try… that might have meaning.
But in this case, at least recently, specific to Vassar, based on the #s they are reporting for employment alone, it’s much higher than 13% the last two years. For all those who say the data is useless or flawed - that no one responds or it’s not their business - I call bs. If a kid has pride in their school, they respond.
The Bucknell report is much better -they show by major how many grads, respondents, and salaries. You can see who is and isn’t responding wuantitatively. They want to move up. And given b school and engineering program, they likely have better #s vs the top LACs which seem to hide behind a strong brand perception.
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No, I think its just that a large percent go on to grad or professional school and the salary or job survey is irrelevant. Vassar grads (as are many alums especially of smaller schools and LACs) are quite loyal and committed, but many grads see these surveys and lists as intrusive and/or irrelevant, or possibly a bit of a joke. It is not a lack of engagement or a lack of affiliation/commitment to the school was suggested. I find that to be offensive, and seems to me to represent a lack of understanding of the relationship of grads from/to these institutions. As has been mentioned by several posters, many grads do not feel that their salary post grad is anyone’s business, and with a large percent, especially from LACs, going on to professional school, there is no salary to report. It’s a big “duh”.
There seems to be a lack of understanding the limitations and nuances of these self reports. These lists may be interesting to people as a “sales” tool, but they are often flawed and extremely limited in their utility, and hopefully students and parents in the application process reading cc will recognize their limitations and not make college decisions based on what come across as sales techniques. If a student has “pride” in their school, there are many other ways to show it. Most likely will show it by making donations back to the school, not by filling out silly salary surveys that are none of anyone’s business and/or are irrelevant if they are in grad /professional school.
As an aside, a friend who, post grad, worked as a piano player on the dinner train that travelled from DC to FL. He has been a jazz musician for most of his adult life. If we ever had these silly salary surveys post grad back then, his would have been quite small (if he would have filled it out). But, that does not reflect a commitment to the school. This friend just happened to give one of the largest single donations to the college (and we are talking many, many millions of dollars). THAT, is showing a commitment to the college. Not filling out a silly salary survey. Happy that his family name will be on a building. He is a genuinely nice guy.
He loves the school.
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Many students go to grad school straight out of undergrad or take relatively low paying jobs for a year or two before returning to school. This is especially true for some majors over others.
I agree that many grads do not pay attention and find these surveys to be irrelevant and a waste of time. This has absolutely nothing to do with a lack of pride in their school.
Pride in a school is shown in many ways that have nothing to do with filling out surveys.
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The first destination surveys I’m familiar with all break out the % of the class that is going on to graduate school and those students aren’t included in the salary data.
Purdue also stresses to their students to “pay it forward” to complete the surveys and feel that it’s critical information for future students, the departments, and even employers.
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