<p>I looked at the most recent USNW book on college ranks and noticed that two third tier schools S is looking at have much lower % s of incoming freshman who graduated in the top 10% of their hs class than the second tier school D2 attends (it might be first tier, it's ranked in the 50's). But the two differ there as well, one has 15% top ten %, the other around 30% top ten %. They both have significantly lower alumni giving rates than D2's school.</p>
<p>So things like alumni giving affect the USNW rank. That might not mean squat as to the quality of your kids education at the third tier school.</p>
<p>I'm still confused... If a school is on the list of "top" Unis or LACs, it is considered tier 1 or 2? I thought 1-20 on the list were tier 1, 21-40 tier 2, etc. I'm not into lists and rankings that much.</p>
<p>BB -- "Top" signifies both Tier 1 and Tier 2 schools in USN&WR's scheme of things. Tier 1 schools are generally held to be those in the top 50 of either category. This stems from the days when the Top 100 schools in both categories were listed. Now more than 100 schools are included, so you could make a case, I suppose, that the top 62 schools are Tier 1 and 63-124 are Tier 2. </p>
<p>That you are "not into lists and rankings that much" speaks well of you.</p>
<p>D graduated from a third tier with an Honors College (she went with free tuition from a NMF Scholarship) Now attending a top 25 Private for Grad School PhD (full fellowship which means tuition ppaid plus stipend for living expenses). Not a problem getting into Grad School, had excellent mentoring in her major department,wrote a senior honors thesis which was her required written sample for the Grad School apps. Feels she was as well prepared as her fellow departmental grad students who come from all differenet backgrounds...well known schools, small regionals, religious based schools,etc.</p>
<p>Would attending a third or even a fourth-tier school been an adverse obstacle when applying for Law School admissions down the road?</p>
<p>One of the top schools I'm considering is a fourth tier LAC, the programs that I'm interested in aren't really "top notch", however, I love the location and the people there, not to mention its in my favorite state...PLUS I pay almost the same as in-state tuition due to WUE..Should I consider this school still in this age where people look at USNWR?</p>
<p>I just feel this school may be something I'd enjoy attending for four years</p>
<p>I've heard of a student who graduated with a 4.0 uw from CSUF(3rd or 4th tier?) got into Harvard Law School. It's rare but it does happen. It depends on a lot of factors such as LSAT, letter of recommendations, essays, etc..</p>
<p>Re: law school admissions. See my post no. 19 above. D1 says she knows several kids this year and last who got into Harvard Law from her third tier school. It is all about the GPA and the LSAT score.</p>
<p>Columbia_Student - it's not as rare as you think. Mercymom is correct. Many would like to believe that the "best" undergrad garners the "best grad" but the field gets leveled again on various levels moving from undergrad to grad. That is why so many asute parents counsel young people not to put their eggs in one basket when they plan on post graduate work.</p>
<p>Also, remember that just as "all politics is local" , lots of hiring is local, as well. The flagship U near us is Tier 3, but the reputation is good in the area and the alum network is a positive factor in hiring.</p>
<p>Also, remember that there are over 3000 institutions of higher learning in this country. "Tier 4" institutions, in the top couple of hundred according to the Gospel of USN&WR, are still pretty darn highly ranked.</p>
<p>Just to be clear, I have no respect for the Tier rankings, and I don't believe graduate schools look at them at all. Schools hate those rankings; it's the parents who utilize them.</p>
<p>Harvard and the other top law schools used to list their feeder undergrad schools, and it numbered in the hundreds.</p>
<p>Does anyone understand if there's any reconciliation between the rankings on National Universities versus Regional Masters Universities? National universities have many masters programs and offer PhD. Masters Universities do not go up to the PhD level, and are also separated out into four regions (N,Midwest,S,W). For example, is it bettter to be ranked "#3" on one of the 4 regional lists, or #33 on the national list? Does any of this matter to undergraduates, anyway, since it's all about higher level degree opportunities on the same campus... Very puzzling to me.</p>
<p>We didn't look at the rankings AT ALL before DD applied to college. We found out after the fact that her university is a very highly ranked Masters University. This particular level of college gets NO recognition from USNews or anyone else. The LAC and University rankings are highly touted.</p>
<p>Now...having said that...why are folks so consumed with rankings? Look at the school. Look what it has to offer your child.</p>
<p>I really believe it's the profs and the students that make or break a college experience and believe there are many great profs with terminal degress living in pretty darn neat places because of the quality of life and many great undergrad programs because of its location or proximity to the area being studied.. would you go to Nebraska for Marine Biology? Would you study Agriculture Technology in New York...probably not. Rankings don't reflect individual programs either.</p>
<p>Thumper I completely agree and we are definately more into fit than rankings. I really just didn't understand how 3rd tier was defined so I appreciate you and everyone else who responded to my post. The third tier school in question is the furthest from home but other than that it may work out to be the best choice for one or both of my girls.</p>
<p>Thanks MSUDad for the HLS link. My daughter loved it and has forwarded it to friends. This has been a great thread. All of this information points to the importance of looking at each college and the characteristics of the child. There are plenty of good schools that will get you where you want (even to HLS).</p>
<p>This is such a refreshing thread! My dd is "B" student in a hothouse school/town who wanted to stay in New England. She also has mild learning disabilities. We all visited these so-called "lesser" LACs and frankly, were absolutely thrilled w/ all they had to offer, including MONEY!</p>