<p>CalvinCoolidge - overall, US News tends to be quite cyclical. See:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/91104-compiled-us-news-rankings-past-16-years.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/91104-compiled-us-news-rankings-past-16-years.html</a></p>
<p>If you want to look at trends from 1987 to 2007, check this link:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/540990-u-s-news-rankings-throughout-years.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-search-selection/540990-u-s-news-rankings-throughout-years.html</a></p>
<p>Overall, as indicated above, In the past 20 or so years, Chicago’s rank has been around #10, which conforms to its current standing of #9. </p>
<p>Here’s Chicago and some of its peers from 87 - 07:</p>
<p>Dartmouth College_________________<strong><em>8.4
University of Pennsylvania</em></strong><strong><em>10.1
Columbia University</em></strong><strong><em>10.4
University of Chicago</em></strong>______________ 10.6
Cornell University____________<strong><em>11.9
Brown University</em></strong>__________________ 13.0
Northwestern University_______________ 13.4</p>
<p>That being said, a couple years ago, Chicago was as high as #8 in the rankings, and has not been out of the top 10 since 2007, its longest such streak in the top 10 for quite some time. This has much to do with the administration’s emerging interest in Chicago’s standing, and its decision to take steps to help Chicago improve on this front. For example, in the early 90s, when Chicago was ranked #9, the school was still seen as a graduate student-centric, somewhat aloof place for undergrads. The U of C’s selectivity was not in the same stratosphere as the school’s immediate peers, and the administration didn’t seem to care much about this.</p>
<p>Now, zoom ahead 20 years, and the school has very much taken steps to improve by these standard metrics. The U of C hired a new admissions guru a couple years back to improve admissions statistics, there have been big fundraising campaign’s to improve the school’s endowment, etc. </p>
<p>With all this being said, it is probable that Chicago will continue to solidify/improve its standing in the rankings, simply because it is now paying closer attention to this publication. Personally, as an alum, I’d like Chicago to cement its position in the #6-7 range, which I think reasonably comports to the school’s academic stature. </p>
<p>Also, Igor, you may have a point, but as I’ve said many times in the past, the classic Chicago approach to “genuine learning” has failed. That approach, which Chicago tried to follow in the 70s and 80s, led to a faltering financial status, a somewhat disgruntled group of alumni, and an admissions policy the featured just trying to get enough warm bodies in seats. The Harvard model, on the other hand, flourished during this time. Beginning in the late 90s, Chicago realized the weaknesses in its approach and, for its institutional health, took steps to correct the issues. While yes, perhaps some of that “rigor” may be gone, the school now is in a stronger position than it was 25 years ago.</p>