<p>Bashing schools is poor form, whether its Tulane or Fordham or any school. Which was my original point and raison d’etre of responding to the OP. We got all sidetracked in minutiae about statistics, which I was trying to avoid and got hijacked by another poster and then into an argument with fallen about definitions…when he is clearly a scientist with statistical paralysis (thats a joke fallen!) and numbers fixation. My point was that Fordham is a really good school with really smart kids and their numbers are vastly improved from 5-10 years ago (and commensurate ranking), such that its harder to get into by a magnitude than it was even 5 years ago. I had no intention of arguing definitions or statistics or whatever. I am a generalist and present myself as such. If I were an academician with a focus on stats and science, then people would have a right to criticize my comments (and me.) But we are really arguing apples and oranges here, which is in itself irrational. </p>
<p>Fallen: you might be better off not calling people names with strong language (like calling me “irrational” which in my neighborhood is an insult) or challenging their integrity. You are entitled to your opinions and you can support what you say with stats, fine. I presume you are at Brown, btw. On staff there, perhaps. </p>
<p>What I WANT to do is to provide helpful, beneficial and positive commentary about schools without denigrating a schools mission, its clientele/student body or its ubiquitous ranking in USNWR (which I agree with fallen, is an absurdity on its face). I also agree with fallen that just because you get into Harvard doesnt mean you would be a good fit there and should go. I can also say the same about Fordham. Its not about convincing a kid to forego one school so they go to your/my favorite school and we can strike another ‘victory’. That is a gross disservice to the student, family and school. I only want to enhance the public profile, meaning the level of awareness of a schools name and offerings, to prospective students…and recruit in a general sense the best and brightest. But in the end, its the student’s decision and they have to live there for four years. </p>
<p>Good luck to all on admissions as well as finding the right fit for you.</p>