<p>America's</a> Top Colleges - Forbes </p>
<p>congratulations!!</p>
<p>Wonder how many additional applicants that will prompt?</p>
<p>That’s what I’m afraid of…</p>
<p>Yes, but the rankings are silly.</p>
<p>Columbia 42 ???</p>
<p>Penn 52 ???</p>
<p>Johns Hopkins—I don’t even see it on the list</p>
<p>Cuz it’s for undergraduates.</p>
<p>But yeah, for the most part it looks like a random assortment of competitive schools.</p>
<p>All rankings are somewhat arbitrary, but the Forbes concept is not totally ridiculous. If you are looking at top tier undergraduate education (as opposed to a graduate or post-graduate degree), it is reasonable to take into consideration student debt, quality of teaching and who the school produces (awards such as Rhodes scholarships, alumni leadership in their chosen fields, e.g. profiled in Who’s Who in America). The list is unique in not segregating LAC’s (with undergraduate focus) from undergraduate colleges at research universities. Honestly, from a baccalaureate perspective, is Penn really as good as Williams, Princeton or Amherst)? I too would quibble about some of the rankings, but all lists have their limitations.</p>
<p>This makes me very nervous to send in my ED application.</p>
<p>Williams has been ranked at or near the top of this list for the past few years. It’s clearly one of the best schools in the nation, but Forbes is just one ranking list. Like Dad2 said, this list doesn’t separate LACs and Ivies. Many of the best students are set on the Ivy League or a larger school, and looking at the Forbes’ list probably won’t change that.
Since Williams topped this list last year, and has consistently been the top or runner-up LAC according to USNews, I don’t think you have anything to worry about. I can’t imagine ED admissions getting any easier, but not much more difficult, either.</p>
<p>I agree with notanengineer, Columbia, Penn and the other top schools are actually better known for their grad program, not undergrad program. Just like Harvard being famous because of her Law, Medical and Business schools. </p>
<p>Anyway, this #1 rank works both ways. It will attract and scare away applicants in equal measures. :)</p>
<p>Good luck to all of the Class of 2016 applicants!</p>
<p>Don’t let lists turn you off or on to a school, visit, research and decide if it’s a fit!</p>
<p>I think that my ED process will be much harder now. I am starting to panic.</p>