<p>Just curious about this: how many CC users chose their college based on rankings like US News, Forbes, Princeton Review, etc.? Do you know of anyone that did? Were they/you happy with their/your choice once they/you were in?
I know it's not the best decision to make, but I was wondering if a lot of students actually do this</p>
<p>Solely on the basis of the rankings? Not here. Did they play a role - sure, wouldn’t have found a lot of the schools without them, since most LACs are fairly unknown in the Midwest. But you have to like the place you go, otherwise you’re just chasing a number.</p>
<p>No. Based on likelihood of merit money. </p>
<p>@MrMom62
I agree. I was just talking with friends earlier who had applied to Stanford just because “it’s Stanford.” This mindset is beyond my understanding, so I thought perhaps CC might have a user who can enlighten me on why someone might think this way. Or perhaps we all agree it’s not a good idea</p>
<p>The only possible reason that makes any sense at all (and even then, not much) to apply to a school solely based on its rankings is if your parents insist because their cultural values want the bragging rights and it’s just a lot easier to apply than to fight them. No one said you had to attend if you got in, although the pressure is probably immense if you did. Then again, it’s not that hard to purposely mess up an application for any school you really don’t want to go to.</p>
<p>Considering the education you receive at any given college is probably very similar (quality-wise at least) at any school plus or minus 10 schools in the rankings, surely if you are status conscious about the rankings, you can find a good fit somewhere in those 20 or so schools. Anyone who insists on just automatically going to the top ranked one is likely in for a rather unhappy college experience compared to what they could have had.</p>
<p>I think the biggest problem with just using the rankings is kids miss out on some very good schools that could be great for them. I’m stereotyping here, but I know in many Asian families, it’s HYPSM or bust, and they would never dare look at the LAC list because no one back in the home country has ever heard of those schools, so they can’t brag, but they would stand a much higher chance of getting in, they would get just as good an education, and it might actually be the right pick for their child. The same can be said about just about any of the Top 50 schools in both lists, plus a whole lot more.</p>
<p>@MrMom62, remember that many kids want bragging rights as well. In fact, I would say that it’s more often teenagers who get all starry-eyed about prestige and rankings (because they’re more likely to be self-conscious and insecure and in search of validation; and since none of them have been to college yet, they don’t realize that the difference in opportunities among universities/colleges–in the US, anyway–that are somewhat close to each other on the totem pole just doesn’t tend to be all that large) while many parents who have accomplishments and experience in the world and possibly have attended several universities understand that there are nearly always several paths that can take you to the same outcome.</p>
<p>Yes, I know that the kids want the bragging rights too, but often times it’s more the parents who transfer their values that are the real driving factor. If they would dial back or urge the kids to look beyond HYPSM, then it would happen. The fascination with those five schools usually doesn’t occur in a vacuum.</p>
<p>We see a lot of immigrants’ children focused only on top schools because their parents insist. </p>
<p>It’s true that LACs are not known to most Asian immigrant families. Many of them came to the US for graduate studies in research universities. Another possible reason for their lack of interest in LACs is that many of their kids intend to major in engineering, accounting, or nursing, pharmacy etc. They tend to focus on the professional majors that most LACs do not offer. The 3/2 engineering programs offered by many LACs are not practical to most students.</p>
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<p>The rankings should have just the opposite effect. We don’t need college rankings to tell us that HYPSM are famous, prestigious schools. For someone unfamiliar with American colleges, the rankings can help discover other, less famous colleges that have some of the same qualities as the ones you already know. </p>
<p>It would be pretty short-sighted, though, to choose a college solely based on rankings. </p>
<p>I don’t think most people choose a college ‘solely’ based on rankings. Most people capable of getting accepted into Harvard or Stanford probably have a pretty good chance of being admitted into Princeton, Duke, Chicago, etc. And they apply to many schools in a similar tier since many of the most elite schools have single digit admission rates. So if they were accepted to many of these schools, they’d likely weigh the pros and cons of each against each other.</p>
<p>For most reasonable families, after admissions are considered, they look into factors like affordability, school resources, and fit. A ranking can be a good indicator of university quality however. If the choice is between a school that’s ranked in the USNWR top 25 versus a school outside the top 100 (e.g. Cal vs U. San Francisco,) the higher ranked school’s position might be a strong contributing factor, assuming finances and fit are similar. But I imagine most families don’t have students applying to schools in the top 25 and the top 100.</p>
No not really. It played a factor of course, but I also chose the colleges I attended based on cost, location, program accreditation, in-person instruction, and whether or not they offered my desired major. I knew right from the beginning I would only choose an in-state public 4-year university to attend. I also wanted an affordable option which caused me to transfer twice. The accreditation of the school and the program had to be recognized and legitimate. Also, I like taking courses in-person because I learn much more effectively that way.
Looking back I regret nothing. I started out a pre-music education major and ended up a business administration major. I have attended 3 universities but each time I transferred it was to a less expensive school. I would advise others to look at cost first and foremost because there are always other colleges that will have the major you desire. Case in point, the prestige/ranking of a university will not make up for uncontrollable debt some people get themselves into. College is an investment for the future; be smart and make it worthwhile.
@MrMom62: Parents aren’t the only influence, however. Especially for HS kids, peers are usually a big influence (including what they think about the prestigiousness or lack thereof of various colleges).
I didn’t apply to colleges based on rankings, but they helped guide me to lots of great institutions.
To second @MrMom62 in his first post, all LACs were unknown to us before I started this since we’re from Missouri, even the ones in the Midwest itself. My mother heard of none of them.
Ironically, a lot of the LACs I am applying to are ranked high on Forbes’. I haven’t looked into their ranking methodology much, but since my mom is inspired by rankings of any sort, she’s not too afraid of obscure LACs in rural Iowan towns anymore.