Comments on: Truth Revealed: US News Rankings Mean Nothing–and Everything

By: Mark

Mark — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 22:00:57 +0000

Thanks, Kirk. As you say, we should all make rankings for ourselves, based on what we think is important. Of course, we could make rankings on a number of issues or aspects of a college, and I suppose all the different ranking indices do just that. But when people neglect to think for themselves what aspects are most important to them, we run into the sort of superficiality you describe. I try hard to get kids (and parents) to think for themselves. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn’t.

By: Kirk

Kirk — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 04:56:42 +0000

great article. nothing makes my blood boil more than when people say they go to a great school because of some superficial ranking. do people even think for themselves anymore?

By: Mark

Mark — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 05:39:41 +0000

Thanks, Vicki, for taking the time to comment.

By: Vicki Tambellini

Vicki Tambellini — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 02:37:37 +0000

I could not agree more.

By: Mark

Mark — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 22:02:24 +0000

Thanks, Scott. The beauty pageant analogy is apt.

By: Scott Anderson

Scott Anderson — Wed, 03 Jun 2009 21:35:10 +0000

Excellent article. This beauty pageant list causes more problems in higher education than any other single factor.