<p>So my mom and I were talking about college stuff (btw we live apart) and I told her about I got accepted into an LAC that's ranked 70-something on US News. She doesn't know anything about this school. Then she said that with my stats, I should go to a Top 40 school at the minimum, and that I should be aiming higher than a 70-something. I actually had no clue she thought this way, and I guess I really wanted to defend my first acceptance, so I debated with her about the importance of ranking and all that. But I ultimately had to kind of give in.
Has anyone experienced this type of thing, or how would you respond?</p>
<p>Lol at the end, the ranking doesn’t even matter. It’s all about the programs that you want that schools offer. Or good connections. </p>
<p>I don’t think so. I have my eyes on Harvard, Upenn, Columbia, NYU, Upitt, and IU among others. I love schools in urban/city-like areas, so that might be the case for you. You might as well apply, if you have the stats. You never know, you might fall in love with one of the top schools. </p>
<p>“Top 40”? Isn’t that a list of music hits?
I suppose that identifying the ranking helps students know what they are up against in terms of admission or academic challenges, but, ultimately, you need to find schools that will both challenge you and make you happy. The ranking doesn’t matter unless you are one of those people who try to get by on someone else’s reputation.</p>
<p>When it comes to LAC’s, the difference between top 40 and top 70 is almost nothing. Fit and geography should matter a lot more.</p>
<p>OK, I looked, and around 40th are Dickinson, Franklin&Marshall, Skidmore, and Whitman.</p>
<p>Around 70th are Berea, Wooster, Hillsdale, and Wheaton (MA).</p>
<p>Which is hilarious because when you ranking by student awards won, Wheaton ranks the highest of these 4 schools.</p>
<p>There is so much more in a school than its USNews ranking.</p>
<p>I don’t know what Reed is ranked on USNews, (something in the 70’s or 80’s I think). They’re so low because they refuse to send statistics to USNews because they disagree with the notion of ranking schools in such a manner. Reed is often called one of the most “intellectual” colleges in the country. It is 4th in the nation in the % of graduates who go on to earn a PhD in all fields [1]. It has been called one of the most difficult schools in the nation (No data - but I think the average gpa was something like 3.1-3.2, Reed is devoid of grade inflation). </p>
<p>While it sounds like I’m advertising Reed, it’s just a testament to how schools may not be ranked highly on USNews but are still incredible institutions. USNews additionally does not consider school-specific traits that make it very sought out for in certain fields.</p>
<p>What should be the most important factors in the college search process are (in my opinion), in order of decreasing weight:
- Affordability
- Availability of academic interests
- Fit, appeal (best understood by visiting)
- Location
- Other Stuff</p>
<p>That list is my own opinion, and for my own personal standards. You and your family may find other factors more important and that is understandable. However, “prestige” or “USNews ranking” should be irrelevant in the college search. However, USNews does provide good lists of excellent institutions; However the individual rankings should not be considered in determining where you apply or eventually matriculate.</p>
<p>It’s often when the student is prestige-hungry, or when the parent is prestige-hungry. Try to tell your mother that even a 70th ranked school on USNews is still in at least the top 10% of all schools in the country. I think the most recent figures are that 1/4 or 1/3 of Americans have a bachelor’s degree - I can only imagine what portion of those degree holders earned their degree from a “top 10% school”. If you worked hard, you’ll be rewarded in college.</p>
<p>[1] <a href=“Doctoral Degree Productivity - Institutional Research - Reed College”>http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html</a></p>
<p>A student looking at LACs and other small schools needs to pay even more attention to fit (academic and otherwise), since a small school is more likely to be a poor fit for a greater percentage of students (e.g. it may have fewer majors offered than a larger school, or may have a limited social scene where some students will find nothing of interest).</p>
<p>I think I probably will. My dad has a very, VERY businesslike approach to everything in life. Maybe its because he’s a workaholic (or maybe its because we’re south Asian). Since I want to study engineering, he’s going to want me to go to the school that ranks the highest out of the ones I get accepted to. I think parents do this because its just easier for them to compare colleges this way. Also, many (or mine at least) are a little too practical, so the most important factor in college selection is whether you can get good job after graduation, not to have a good “college experience”.</p>
<p>=> higher ranking=better reputation=better job. Which isn’t necessarily true but I mean that’s the way some parents see it. Also, bragging rights.</p>
<p>But I’m still going to select my school based on “fit” because I get stressed and anxious very easily. Thankfully my mom is very laid back and understanding so if I can convince her, we can probably convince our dad together. It’s easier when someone else in the family is on your side.</p>
<p>Edit: I just remembered, my dad reacted in the EXACT same way when I told him about my first acceptance.</p>
<p>
</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Engineering employment in the US is less focused on school rankings than some other fields like management consulting. (In some non-US countries, you may find a much greater focus on school rankings.)</p></li>
<li><p>To the extent that school rankings matter (mainly in terms of where non-local employers fly to recruit), it is rankings in the desired engineering major that matter more than overall school rankings. Also, employers may have their own rankings based on their own experiences with graduates from various schools.</p></li>
</ol>
<p>You would be missing out on some AMAZING colleges if you only did #40 and above. </p>
<p>These are all amazing schools ranked below 40</p>
<p>Trinity College
Union
Occidental
St. Olaf
Sarah Lawrence
Muhlenberg
Kalamazoo
Goucher
New College of Florida.</p>
<p>Some of these are some of the best schools in the country even though US News says otherwise. And the craziest part is, if these schools decided to magically reject 90% of the people who apply, they would skyrocket to the top 40 ranking that your parents desire.</p>
<p>@ucbalumnus, however, someone who studies engineering may want other career options besides being an engineer open to them.</p>
<p>In terms of career prospects, an engineering degree from any ABET-accredited program will be the same.</p>
<p>There is, however, certain companies that hire out of certain schools. If you want to work for one of those companies, you’d best look into that school!</p>
<p>The same thing happened to me when I told my mom that I was accepted to Davidson College, a school ranked 22nd in the whole nation according to Forbes and 10th according to USNews, and she was like why didn’t you do Williams college because they’re number one on both. And I gave the same speech about how this is still a prestigious school and I just felt more at home when I visited Davidson. Also, once I showed her the financial aid package of $ 61,270 out of the total cost of attendance of $ 63,000 was being covered without loans she really shut up then. </p>
<p>@Ctesiphon How one can find this company - school list?</p>