

In the search for a college or university, many students and their parents consider the rankings published by respected magazines and newspapers. However, it is generally acknowledged that a school’s prestige and ranking does not mean it is the best fit for every student.

The advantages of ranked lists do exist; they are a good starting point for research and discovery of schools. While these lists are helpful, they should not be a determining factor in the student’s decision to apply to a school.

In making a ranked list, magazines can compare important data, including GPA, student achievement, earnings after graduation, and many other factors that affect a student’s decision to apply to a school. However, many equally important qualities of a school can easily be overlooked due to the lack of quantitative measurement. For example, neither student engagement nor learning outcomes play a role in the schools’ rankings.

A school’s position on a ranked list does not provide the student with information about how their experience at that school will be. The data points used in making comparisons do not necessarily apply to every individual’s wants and needs regarding a college.

Overall, school rankings serve a purpose. They provide useful pieces of information that a student can use when choosing which schools to pursue. Despite this, further research and a true understanding of whether the college fits the individual is much more important than the number next to the school’s name.

To pursue admission to your top-choice schools, contact Global Academic Consultants today.