College Rankings-Again!
Friday, August 21st, 2009
It’s back! The U.S. News & World Report guide to America’s Best Colleges hit the newsstands like clockwork yesterday, August 20. And with it comes the media activity that has helped propel the guide to best-seller status.
Frankly, the rankings phenomenon is growing wearisome. The notion that all of America’s best colleges can be rank ordered-that the mythical pecking order can actually be quantified-is foolhardy. It makes too many wandering assumptions about people and places, cultures and values, quality and-believe it or not-fit.
There is a lot wrong with both the concept of rankings and the methodology employed to achieve them. For example, the variable given the greatest weight (institutional reputation) is measured by a survey of educational leaders, fewer than half of which chose to participate. One can only imagine the root of such disinterest. Be it apathy or an act of civil disobedience, the result remains flawed.
My point, however, is not to draw attention to the lack of science in this project or the motives for perpetuating it. Rather, it is important that, as consumers, advisers and advocates, we not allow ourselves to become distracted from the order of the day and that is to help young people find and get into colleges and universities that fit them best.
Among other things, rankings promote a destination orientation or an obsessive approach to getting into highly ranked colleges. Where the student is headed becomes more important than what is to be accomplished, why that goal might be important or how the institution might best serve the student. When distracted by the blinding power and prestige that rankings bestow upon a few institutions, it is easy to lose sight of one-s values and priorities as well as the full range of opportunities that exist.
If you are a student, then, keep rankings in perspective as you proceed with college planning. Resist the temptation to obsess on a set of numbers. Instead, focus on developing a list of colleges based who you are, why you want to go to college and what you want to accomplish during your undergraduate years. And don-t lose sight of how you like to learn. Stay student-centered and you will discover the colleges that are best for you.
I will address this topic in greater detail during the August 25 Web-Side Chat webcast, Making Sense of College Rankings (7:00 PM ET). To join the conversation, sign up through Best College Fit.
In addition, you can hear me discuss “Tips for Interpreting College Rankings” on You Tube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oIugnI-TQmo
