<p>If PA section was removed from the rankings table… then you will have a bunch of journalist intend on selling a product manipulating ranking factors with no general oversight or input from people in the academic community… It’s almost like… driving with your eyes closed… it’s dumb.</p>
<p>Do you honestly think removal of the PA system will equalize everything. Above all, the PA system helps public schools that get shafted by the ranking methology…</p>
<p>The rankings overall favor endowment rich schools with low student population ratios and high selectivity… Berkeley is widely respected because it can supply large masses with A grade education on a tight financial state budget… It should definitely be commended for committing to it’s role in higher education to provide quality education to students. </p>
<p>The PA system simply supports conventional wisdom… that WUSTL is not tied with MIT for #6…</p>
<p>WUSTL with it’s huge wads of cash can easily game the system to it’s advantage… but academics in the REAL WORLD give a relatively low PA score for WUSTL… I am not surprised that MIT’s PA score is higher than that of WUSTL… yet somehow without the PA system… they are TIED? LOL</p>