There is already an active thread on colleges that are improving (“on the way up”). But to some extent - this is a zero sum game. For every school going up the ranking (based on whatever ranking you prefer), there must be another school heading down.
I am curious to hear people’s opinions on “overrated colleges that are on the way down”
I’m not sure the premise is true. I think given the fact that it is harder to gain admission these days to a top 20, or top 50 school, the quality of students at “lower ranked” schools is by necessity improving. So on the way up, yes. On the way down, maybe not.
pops popcorn
I should probably be more specific. In the other thread there is a lot of discussion of Northeastern and its move up the USNWR ranking. Presumably Northeastern displaced some other college as it moves into the top 100 and then into the top 50.
I agree that in terms of absolute criteria - it may be the case that there are a lot of colleges “rising” but not many “falling”. But - in terms of relative criteria - for everyone that goes up - someone else is going down.
As the OP of the aforementioned thread, I don’t agree that there is a lot of discussion about Northeastern through the whole thread. In fact, I would say Denison is mentioned on that thread more than any other college. That thread is not about which colleges are displacing others. On the way up doesn’t necessarily equate to rankings, but can be about increased awareness and perception of how a college is performing and what it’s doing to improve.
I do think there are some overhyped colleges that will soon find the bubble has burst.
I wouldn’t necessarily call the school overrated, but I would assume that USC might take a hit in the rankings after all the issues and Nikias’ resignation.
For some reason, the school does have a lack of institutional oversight (athletics on probation, the med school dean, etc).
Syracuse University has fallen in the rankings in recent years. They also resigned under threat of expulsion from the Association of American Universities (AAU) due to a lowered level of research activity. .
I agree with @Lindagaf. I never assumed the other thread was about rankings. I responded in terms of how some schools are now more recognized than in the past, or have more applicants, or are attracting more students from a variety of areas, or whatever. Rankings? Frankly we didn’t look at those at all so that doesn’t matter to me…at all.
There could be a number of State Flagships declining as their funding dries up and professors flee to greener pastures.
Sadly, I agree with the above. There are many people who say Berkeley today isn’t what it used to be. Madison, WI isn’t what it used to be. Heck, City College of NY isn’t what it used to be…
This is Lake Wobegon, where every college is above average.
I think the colleges that have intentionally worked the rankings have maximized that score statistically, and are likely to go down, and the ones that have historically eschewed the rankings may choose to exploit that upside.
(fyi I think rankings don’t matter but all colleges should play the game because they matter to many)
Michigan State might see less female applicants for sure.
PSU had little if any lasting impact so Nope.
Some colleges are Teflon colleges, nothing sticks: Penn State, USC etc. It will be interesting to see if Michigan State will join that group.
I think it’s like The World According to Garp - take the house the airplane has crashed into, because what are the chances a second plane will hit? MSU and PSU are being watched carefully. It’s the schools where nothing has happened (yet) where the risk is greater.
BTW, I know MSU is not "overrated ", just feels like it’s due for a market correction after such a gross scandal.
I followed the other thread closely because I was eager to find out what hidden gems are out there, what colleges had innovative leaders and programs and might be a surprise value for their money. The moment I saw this thread title I thought that this topic has the potential to turn very, very nasty, if people trash talk colleges and others chime in to defend their alma maters or the places their kids have chosen.
Any college you talk about on here has probably produced wonderful people in the past, many of whom remember their days there as the happiest of their life.
I don’t think anything good or happy can come of trash talking a place that forms the core of somebody else’s heart.
Sometimes I think that the service academies are not as highly regraded as they once were. Interesting statistic - according to Princeton Review, the 25%/75% ACT scores of enrolled students at West Point is 23/28.
@ninakatarina - OP here. I understand your concern but - we are all adults here - so - hopefully -
a) the criticisms of specific schools will be well reasoned and fact based.
b) no one’s identity is so wrapped up in where they went to college that they take those criticisms personally
I have a junior reviewing college options now. While I find the happy talk “up and coming” thread useful - sometimes criticism can be more enlightening than praise.