Zone Left

October 19th, 2011 at 7:59 PM ^

I still stand by college rankings being dumb. I understand tiers, but number by number rankings are just designed to sell magazines and generate web traffic. 

Edit: To me, a quality set of rankings would directly measure the university's desireability to prospective students and overall student satisfaction with their experience. These beat around the bush by ranking academic reputation and employer reputation, but there are basically two customer groups for universities--research beneficiaries and students. Without discussing those groups' satisfaction with a university, rankings aren't valid.

mGrowOld

October 19th, 2011 at 9:11 PM ^

True story.  As a high school Senior who had really good SAT scores and really bad grades I didn't get accepted at U of M initially (and to go to CMU and get the GPA in line) but i did get accepted at MSU.  

On the same day I got my rejection letter from Michigan I got an academic scholarship offer from MSU.  I would so love to have those two letters framed - side by side - today.

Roachgoblue

October 19th, 2011 at 8:06 PM ^

I am so excited. Walmart wolverines seem to be more engaged than many alumni. We don't need polarization here with stupid ass statements like that. Yes I did graduate in A2. so don't even start with the bull. All wolverine fans kick ass and make our team the very best in the world. I travel a lot to Brazil, and have been all over the world and there are wolverine fans everywhere! You guys all kick ass! Go mother f'n blue!

IrishLax

October 19th, 2011 at 11:41 PM ^

...puts heavy emphasis on research (which Notre Dame does not) and in general is incredibly flawed.  "Ranking" schools is silly as a concept, but it becomes truly ridiculous when you see something like this.

ND comes in #9 on ROI for a degree; and then if you look at SAT scores, GPAs, etc. of the kids getting in there it is CLEARLY a better school than Ohio State or Michigan State.  #200+ is just absurd and completely invalidates the "methodology."

This is by the same US News people not using the QS methodology: http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities/page+2

And this is ROI on your degree: http://blogs.wsj.com/economics/2010/06/30/top-20-colleges-that-offer-best-return-on-investment/

GRFS11

October 19th, 2011 at 11:58 PM ^

Clearly, the rankings are flawed.  But hey, any ranking is going to be, and this takes into account the entire University, not just undergrad, not just research, etc.

BayWolves

October 20th, 2011 at 12:33 PM ^

Even though number rankings are kind of dumb and tiers may be more useful, let's take it. Recruits should be glad to see this as well. I'd be selling this point hard to every high school student.

Point taken regarding research universities and grad programs. Looking at it this way, it is true that across the board Michigan does not have many peers among public and private institutions. Beating Cal and Northwestern says a lot.

Bluesnu

October 20th, 2011 at 1:12 PM ^

I disagree with the notion that the rankings are "arbitrary".  Schools know what criteria are used in the rankings and thus know what areas of their admissions and research they need to step up in order to rank higher.  Talking to admissions officers and deans at various schools, I assure you, they do pay attention to the rankings--mostly because they know how much prospective students pay attention to the rankings.  Because schools do try to compete with other institutions for various reasons, they do this competing within the criteria of the rankings.  Therefore, if schools are all competing with eachother, within the same realm of criteria, I think it is fair to justify the assertion that when one school is ranked markedly lower (there's not a difference between #20 and #25), such as ND in the 200's, its perfectly valid to call them an inferior academic institution, especially to a Michigan, who is ranked in the top 20.