College Rankings in the College Application Process
The US News World and Report has been publishing its popular and highly respected college rankings since 1984. As a student who reviewed the rankings when I was going through the college admissions process, I would like to take the opportunity to explain the role I think these rankings should have in a college applicant choosing where to apply to college, and ultimately where to attend.
The rankings have been criticized a lot, but they are useful in some instances. For example there are several highly rated schools that are not well known. Let’s say you wanted to attend a liberal arts college. The rankings have a special section for liberal arts schools. You can get an idea of what are considered the most prestigious liberal arts schools in the country. You will be happy to learn they are not just the eight Ivies. The rankings also include the schools’ acceptance rates, SAT ranges, etc. You can get an idea which schools you might stand a chance of gaining admission.
However, the rankings should not be the sole determinant in the search. The rankings include factors such as yield (how many accepted students decide to enroll). This is not terribly germane to the experience you will get at the school. Furthermore, the differences between a school that is ranked 10 and one that is ranked 15. In other words, a school that is ranked 10 wouldn’t necessarily give you a better undergraduate experience than one ranked 15. You must also consider factors such as best fit. Do you want to attend college in California? How big a school do you want? You should ultimately pick the college that’s best for you, not just the one that highest ranked.
There are several other rankings. The Princeton Review ranks schools in several categories, including best food, best dorms, and best overall undergraduate experience. Washington Monthly magazine also has rankings. You should spend a lot of time poring over material. Look over the rankings. But, also make sure you look at the literature you’ve been getting from colleges, and that you carefully research schools to find a best fit. By doing so, you will certainly end up with a choice you’re pleased with in the end.
Son
The rankings have been criticized a lot, but they are useful in some instances. For example there are several highly rated schools that are not well known. Let’s say you wanted to attend a liberal arts college. The rankings have a special section for liberal arts schools. You can get an idea of what are considered the most prestigious liberal arts schools in the country. You will be happy to learn they are not just the eight Ivies. The rankings also include the schools’ acceptance rates, SAT ranges, etc. You can get an idea which schools you might stand a chance of gaining admission.
However, the rankings should not be the sole determinant in the search. The rankings include factors such as yield (how many accepted students decide to enroll). This is not terribly germane to the experience you will get at the school. Furthermore, the differences between a school that is ranked 10 and one that is ranked 15. In other words, a school that is ranked 10 wouldn’t necessarily give you a better undergraduate experience than one ranked 15. You must also consider factors such as best fit. Do you want to attend college in California? How big a school do you want? You should ultimately pick the college that’s best for you, not just the one that highest ranked.
There are several other rankings. The Princeton Review ranks schools in several categories, including best food, best dorms, and best overall undergraduate experience. Washington Monthly magazine also has rankings. You should spend a lot of time poring over material. Look over the rankings. But, also make sure you look at the literature you’ve been getting from colleges, and that you carefully research schools to find a best fit. By doing so, you will certainly end up with a choice you’re pleased with in the end.
Son
posted by Blogger | 11:48 AM
1 Comments:
Using the rankings as a way to discover new schools--but not as a way to discard them--sounds fine to me, but I don't think they serve any unique role in that respect. The college search function on college board (college finder) might be better for straightforward type 'new colleges I didn't know about' sort of things, just given the hideous methodology usnews et al employ. Just my feeling, I suppose.
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