<p>COW is ranked 7th nationally for excellence in undergraduate teaching and ranked in the top 50 for both senior capstone projects and research opportunities for undergraduates. Yet its over all ranking is 65th. How can that be? If you are at the top in teaching, research, and senior thesis project how can you be downgraded to 65? Sorry, US News, but their seems to be a flaw in your ranking!</p>
<p>It has long been known by those familiar with Wooster that it’s far underrated. I think the issue has been that it is not super selective like many of the higher ranked schools.</p>
<p>My S and i visited Wooster a few weeks ago. To say we were impressed would be a HUGE understatement… this school is unbelievable in every way. It is mind boggling to me that this school is not in the top 20 LAC’s… and I have visited quite a few. They have their **** together like no other school I’ve seen.</p>
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<p>are you guys all homers? Could you give us a reason to think COW is under-rated? For instance, when I see all the effort that other LACs put into electronic media like CC and compare that to COW’s efforts, what am I to think about how organized and forward-thinking the rest of the administration is? (indeed, what am I to think of 5boys’ claim that they “have their stuff together like no other school I’ve seen”?). So, tell me, why is COW to be counted among the top LACs? what has it to offer parents and prospects?</p>
<p>The us news ranking has many critics mostly due to the fact they encourage schools to play the formula to raise their rankings. Most of the information is self reported. I’d encourage you to google the article written by the president of Reed college who decided to withdrawal from the rankings and you really see how poorly organized the system is. </p>
<p>With respect to Wooster, their capstone program that requires all undergraduate to complete a research thesis to graduate is very unique and places them very high among high school counselors as evident in Parade magazine survey:</p>
<p>High school guidance counselors from around the country identified Wooster as one of the nation’s outstanding private colleges that often “fly under the radar” in Parade magazine’s College A-List. “A great deal is expected of Wooster students,” the magazine noted. “They take a challenging academic program and are required to complete a thesis or project to graduate. Their acceptance rate to all graduate programs is far above average.” </p>
<p>It’s a very strong LA school with a high placement into top graduate programs.</p>
<p>thank you, Tiger. Do you know where I can find a common data set online? Can you speak for the College? Do you know it well?</p>
<p>Ah, I see you’re an applicant. Congratulations on your being considered for the College Scholar award. Can you tell me what has attracted you to Wooster besides what you tell me about what rankings have said?</p>
<p>My main draw was the thesis project requirement. I plan on majoring in history and plan to pursue a PhD. The Wooster program seemed like an excellent way to get a huge head start on research work and creating/presenting a thesis. There are not many undergraduate programs that require this. Actually Wooster and Princeton and the two most noted for this program requirement. </p>
<p>I met with the History Dept head for 2 hours, was able to review a few thesis projects and it was extremely impressive. </p>
<p>Not sure on the common data set I’ll check my online file.</p>
<p>I’ll echo 5boys’ comment – CoW does indeed have its ***** together.
If my boy is admitted, I’ll be doing cartwheels.</p>
<p>COW also have has been identified as the school where a lot of college professors send their kids. This says a lot about the school to me.</p>
<p>My daughter was just admitted with the Dean’s scholarship and we are thrilled. Although we haven’t visited yet, we have three friends who are in the current freshman class and all loving their environment and excelling in school. All three were in the top 10 (not percent) of their classes in very strong high schools. </p>
<p>I will echo 5boys in saying that one of these students is the son of a professor at another very strong LAC and his mother is an attorney and education consultant for our state’s DOE. This speaks volumes to me that they choose to send their very bright and capable child to COW.</p>
<p>… and I’m doing cartwheels. My son’s acceptance letter arrived yesterday (after an initial deferral).</p>
<p>Congratulations!!!</p>
<p>The kid received acceptance last week and is very pleased. Wooster is one of the kid’s top choices. :-)</p>