<p>For an excellent student who doesn’t know much about colleges, and who is shopping across a wide geographic area, US News or some of the others can be helpful in building an initial list. If you’ve only heard about a few “top” colleges, the rankings can help you identify other schools with more or less similar qualities (such as fairly small classes, high admission standards, and good need-based aid). </p>
<p>The top 50-75 schools, or so, are rich enough to do many things well within the scope of a well-defined academic mission (typically spanning the traditional liberal arts or arts+engineering). However, most students don’t have the stats (or the money) to shop in that space. Many of them are looking for affordable, not-too-selective schools that aren’t too far from home. It would not make much sense to choose a school ranked “somewhere in the 80s” just because its rank is 30 places higher than a closer, more affordable school that also has the programs you want. However, if you’ve identified a nearby, affordable safety (ranked, say, in the 110s) and you want to consider somewhat more selective schools with better resources, regardless of location, the rankings might help you find them. Just be aware that the rank assignments are very imprecise, and do not capture “fit” factors (size, location, atmosphere, etc) that might be much more important to you than 10 or more postions in rank.</p>
<p>And many undecided students do well in liberal-arts college environments, where they receive a lot of attention and support as they find their way to their ultimate major. Added to that, students at LACs are generally able to graduate in four years no matter how much they “dabble” before choosing a major, while students at large universities sometimes find they need an extra semester (or more) to complete requirements if they change gears.</p>
<p>They’re still the people who give you the job, even if they are shallow and phony. Play the game or go home, there is no alternative in that industry.</p>