<p>Administrators = recruiters</p>
<p>When a student visits, it is the job of the people he/she visits with to present what the school offers. To many people, the rankings indicate the quality of education that the school can offer YOU. I am not sure what else you are wanting them to present. Are you looking for them to tell you about undergrad research opportunities? Study abroad opportunities? Social life? If they didn’t mention any of that, I am surprised (not counting social life).</p>
<p>The fact is, however, that most people (right or wrong) consider rank/prestige to be an important indicator of what a school has to offer.</p>