<p>^^ it moved up last year already higher than it probably should be, if it moves up again i will be highly surprised</p>
<p>I Forsee several things happening.</p>
<ul>
<li>Tulane: moves down</li>
<li>South Carolina: moves up</li>
<li>Florida State: moves down</li>
<li>Georgia: Moves up</li>
<li>UF: Moves up</li>
</ul>
<p>And Finally: University of Miami goes up.</p>
<p>Stony Brook just might break the 80's!!!!!</p>
<p>From somewhat of a detached point of view, I honestly don't see what is so provocative of KK's argument. I haven't read the whole thread, but concluding from what I've read in the last few pages, his argument is that a school like BU that ranks relatively low would be better off not describing itself as "we're ranked number 57."</p>
<p>This is not to say it is a shame to be ranked low or that being in the 50s is a negative descriptor per se, but it would be much more favorable for the school's perception to describe a school like BU not by rankings but by other positive pros about the school. "I go to BU; it's ranked number 57" is not as impressive as "I go to BU; our urban location allows students to take full advantage of the culture of Boston."</p>
<p>As for schools in the top 15, yes, rankings become somewhat of a sensitive thing because the numerical difference in the USNews evaluations for the schools becomes so close, and depending on the year, a school may rise a few places higher than its peers and receive the advantages of more applicants, and a higher concentration of strong applicants, etc. While rankings have little value, it is undeniable that it affects the reputation of schools in the top 15 for the general populace, and little change can cause the perception of the school to fluctuate for that year's top applicants. It matters for schools like Duke, Penn, Northwestern, Chicago, Cornell; not as much for schools like BU, SUNY Binghamton, or Rutgers.</p>
<p>aren't most of the colleges planning a strike?</p>
<p>most colleges? no. just a significant amount of liberal arts colleges who, i think, are just upset at their rankings! they need to stop crying and be truthful with themselves (they all know that if they were all ranked in the top 10 of the LACs that they wouldn't be pulling this stunt!)</p>
<p>Lejeune, I would amend your comment that "While rankings have little value, it is undeniable that it affects the reputation of schools in the top 15 for the general populace." I think it's undeniable that it affects the reputation of schools in the top 15 for those students who are interested in that caliber of school. I hardly think the general populace is concerned about the relative placement of, say, Duke, Stanford and NU on those lists, because they'll (quite accurately) say, "They're all phenomenal schools, and you can't go wrong attending any of them." </p>
<p>As for the value in posting a low ranking ... I could be proud that I'm fifth in gymnastics in my state (hypothetically) even though there are gymnasts who are headed for the Olympics. Someone can be proud of something even if it's not the very top, creme de la creme achievement.</p>
<p>mrsopresident-what you are saying makes perfect sense, yes those schools may just be unhappy with their rankings and it is probably because they feel that what is measured in those rankings doesn't really highlight what might be good, or special, about their school. People who are too rankings obsessed may miss really great schools, where they could be very happy and successful, just because they really only looked at one factor--the rankings.</p>
<p>What if women were ranked? What if there were a best wife/girlfriend list and Cameron Diaz were number one because hey--she's pretty, fun loving, adventurous, what else could you want. Should someone feel bad because they were only married to say...Kate Winslet (a better catch in my opinion) or what if they were married to a beautiful, smart, accomplished woman that they loved who OMIGOD! not many people had ever heard of?!?!
I understand that people think that where you go to college makes so much difference in you job success later in life (and in some professions it might) but in my own experience, the people that I know that went to Harvard and Yale are teachers or stay at home moms, both great professions, but they didn't get them because of the college they went to, and in my (very) extended family there are three millionaires, one went to the U of Oregon, one to Penn State and the other to Guilford College.<br>
Who you are as a person is what dictates success later in life and individual qualities are what make a college great, or a great fit, not what their ranking on some list (put out by people trying to make $ by the way, not be helpful to colleges or prospective students) is.</p>
<p>Allthosethings! I am so glad you mentioned stay-at-home moms! I feel that the best thing I ever did was stay at home - and homeschool my children. The degrees help open doors professionally and the college opened my mind and expanded my world, but my children never cared where or even if I went to a college, let alone a "prestige" college.</p>
<p>My own stay at home mom (Duke) and I would agree!</p>
<p>
[quote]
I think it's undeniable that it affects the reputation of schools in the top 15 for those students who are interested in that caliber of school.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Agreed.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Someone can be proud of something even if it's not the very top, creme de la creme achievement.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Sure, it's a good thing to be proud of where your school stands, but being proud yourself and what people will make of it are two different things. Someone can be proud of the fact that their school ranks in the 50s, but to describe his school as a top 50 school to other people would not be portraying his school in a favorable way. I still stand by this:</p>
<p>It would be much more favorable for the school's perception to describe a school like BU not by rankings but by other positive pros about the school. "I go to BU; it's ranked number 57" is not as impressive as "I go to BU; our urban location allows students to take full advantage of the culture of Boston."</p>
<p>perhaps Fordham should finally be allowed to move up to the top 55. It's currently 70 and I think it is underrated.</p>
<p>I'd like to see Rice in the top 15 once, but it really doesn't matter. We're the ones who get into grad schools over Duke and Cornell students no matter what our rank is :)</p>
<p>Seriously Rice should be higher. PA score is what gets them.</p>
<p>I can definitely see what kk and lejeune are saying.</p>
<p>It's one thing to argue where A-Rod, Pujols, etc. are ranked among the top 10-15 players in MLB and another to argue that player X is the 79th best player in MLB as opposed to player Y.</p>
<p>Florida State University in Tallahassee should gain some spots.</p>
<p>The Onion will lose market share to Wikipedia and lay off two of their best three writers, who will be hired by the US News university ratings section.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Sure, it's a good thing to be proud of where your school stands, but being proud yourself and what people will make of it are two different things. Someone can be proud of the fact that their school ranks in the 50s, but to describe his school as a top 50 school to other people would not be portraying his school in a favorable way. I still stand by this:</p>
<p>It would be much more favorable for the school's perception to describe a school like BU not by rankings but by other positive pros about the school. "I go to BU; it's ranked number 57" is not as impressive as "I go to BU; our urban location allows students to take full advantage of the culture of Boston."
[/quote]
</p>
<p>I cant say I go around talking about going to the #57 school. I dont believe in rankings (for the most part) and I feel that we're a better school than USNWR gives us credit for. Most people who know anything about my school know it's definitely top 50+ quality.</p>
<p>My point was merely that those who go to lower ranked schools like SUNY SB #98 should have every right to discuss the fact that they think their school is/should move up. It has nothing to do with what we say about our schools when talking to others.</p>
<p>
[quote]
Most people who know anything about my school know it's definitely top 50+ quality.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>by requirement of that statement, at least one school that is currently in the top 50 doesn't deserve to be there, which one is that? and how is BU the only school worthy of 50+ notation that is not currently receiving it? and if it isn't the only school worthy of it, what other schools should be displaced?</p>
<p>Should be there: BU, UF, UMD, American
Shouldnt: Tulane, Lehigh, Case Western, Yeshiva U, RPI</p>
<p>Lehigh and RPI are very well thought of within the engineering community. I also can attest to RPI's alumni connections.</p>