<p>There's nothing more invalid than any ranking done by PR. Every list is abominable.</p>
<p>Like I've said, "Most Weed Smoked" and "Most Beer" usually seem accurate, but their academic rankings are jokes, as is many of their other rankings.</p>
<p>I think the greatest value of PR is not the rankings (which, like most others, are 90% junk), but the quotes from students. Assuming that the quotes used are representative, PR gives you a fairly decent idea of the "feel" of the school. Not enough to replace a solid visit, but enough to give you the general idea. USNews just provides a bunch of facts and numbers, which, though somewhat useful, don't really tell you what kind of school it is. Of course, I'm always wary of the overenthusiastic students who insist some aspect of their school is the best anywhere. How a twenty year old can make comparisons like that with any authority is beyond me.</p>
<p>Columbia, don't you think quality of life says something about the surrounding area?</p>
<p>W00t</p>
<p>Florida State lost the party school rating!</p>
<p>Please tell me these aren't true? Are they really from the Princeton Review rankings? And where did they get their information? I'm heavily considering going to Case Western if I don't get accepted at Vanderbilt... how do I find out if this is true? Surely they don't make the list of the most unhappy schools in all 3500 colleges in the US?</p>
<p>NYU and U of Wisconson on two very great lists -- reefer madness and party school. </p>
<p>I can't wait to transfer.</p>
<p>PR rankings are always silly. One year a school could be #1 and the next it's not even ranked.</p>
<p>The PR rankings are interesting because it is how the students on campus are rating their colleges. The "academic ratings" and "most difficult to get into " categories add institutional data to the survey data.</p>
<p>Theres a story on the local news wherein Drexel is arguing PR has no value.</p>
<p>"Drexel puts no stock in the rankings published by The Princeton Review, which consistently contradict the feedback we get from our own students," said Philip Terranova, Vice President, University Relations at Drexel."</p>
<p>"Although The Review refuses to discuss its methodology, we have to assume its survey is deeply flawed.</p>
<p>Party School
[quote]
16 University of Tennessee - Knoxville
[/quote]
Yes. There are parties, but it's not like everyone is running up and down the streets drunken mad. Maybe during football season, but not every night.</p>
<p>Frat / Sorority Scene
[quote]
6 University of Tennessee - Knoxville
[/quote]
This is also true. It's a part of the school, but it's not like you have to go greek or not have a life. There is plenty to do without having to be greek.</p>
<p>Campus is tiny, unsightly or both
[quote]
11 University of Tennessee - Knoxville
[/quote]
This one, I don't agree with. In no way do I think that UT's campus is tiny. The only reason that I can think of that would justify it being 'unsightly' is all the construction that is going on. They are building a new business building, a new center for public policy, and an aquatics center. Other than that I think the campus is cute. It has rolling hills, trees, and a blend of new and old buildings. I personally like the older building better. :)</p>
<p>PR is supposedly just based off student surveys. Nobody should really take the PR rankings too seriously; it's just for fun really. You can get a vague idea of how a school is, but that's it.</p>