America’s “Best” Colleges of 2008: Strategies for College-Bound Students to Compose Their Own List
Once again, U.S. News & World Report’s latest ranking of colleges and universities received hordes of criticism and its yearly flogging from university presidents and officials who take issue with the magazine’s grading system. Even despite the effort of a small group of college presidents to initiate a boycott of the magazine’s survey, school participation only diminished by seven percent this year.
Touted as having the most sought-after lists of academic rankings, U.S. News compiles 25 percent (the largest portion) of its survey from college officials’ ratings of their fellow institutions. The legitimacy of these rankings, particularly those of colleges and universities, comes under fire every year, with some administrators arguing that the ranking methods lead to distorted or spurious evaluations among competing schools attempting to vault themselves up in the standings.
As more and more students graduate high school with their eyes set on higher education, the notion of what makes a college the “best” or the “right” school for a larger and increasingly diverse pool of applicants becomes all the more complicated.
While the U.S. News listings carry a certain authority after having been around for 24 years, rank-watchers should bear in mind that the rating methodology only accounts for a few, measurable dimensions of college “quality.” There are plenty of intangibles that go into defining a total college experience, and parents and students should consider expanding the criteria for their search beyond just a ranking to get at what the numbers in a magazine can’t tell you.
· First-hand accounts. Your parents and siblings are probably more than willing to talk about their alma mater, so sit them down to get the inside scoop. Use your Facebook and MySpace time to scour groups and photos from the schools on your list and to chat with current students about their school’s programs and social activities.
· See for yourself. If you can, visit the schools on your list. Those pretty pictures on the brochure won’t give you the feel of what the midday rush is like on the quad. Explore on your own in addition to guided tours, to get a sense of the general vibe of the campus and surrounding areas. Pick up a copy of the college newspaper or check it out online. Read what other students are reading, writing, debating and thinking, and ask yourself—would you fit in here?
· No one school is good at everything. Top-50 NYU is a terrific choice if you’re an aspiring actor that wants in to their nationally renowned Tisch School of the Arts. But if you see yourself joining the Peace Corps or traveling all over the world as a service volunteer, your perfect path may be the Pre-Peace Corps, International, and Non-Governmental Service concentration offered at Tier 3 Warren Wilson College in Asheville, N.C.
If you’re interested in a particular major or career track, you can search schools by field of study at Petersons.com. Browse school websites to get a feel for how certain departments operate, what kinds of classes are offered, and contact professors within the department to see what kind of research is being done.
Other Sources of Information
The U.S. News rankings provide a decent starting point for getting a general idea of how big-name schools compare in certain areas, but they don’t offer in-depth information or the insider’s view that would give you an idea of what day-to-day life is like on campus.
Sites like CollegeBoard.com let you search schools by location, major and cost, just to name a few, and they offer tips for planning your college career and preparing for admissions. These sites are easy to navigate and will allow you to compare your schools across specific categories..
For your parents, we recommend The Thinking Parent’s Guide to College Admissions: The Step-by-Step Program to Get Kids Into the Schools of Their Dreams.
Talk to the education finance advisors at NextStudent. They have all the information and advice you need on student loans. Check out www.nextstudent.com.
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