College Rankings
Sophia Meas Sears
Founder + CEO at The Admissions Ally, LLC | Guiding motivated students through the challenging admissions process | Former Senior Harvard Admissions Officer (10 years) | Graduate of Harvard Graduate School of Education
One of my 17-year-old clients declared, “‘What’s your top three colleges?’ is a boring question!” Instead, he suggested one should ask, “What academic opportunities interest you in college?” This perspective was inspired by recent college rankings like those from Forbes and Washington Monthly, which sparked a deeper reflection on how groups evaluate higher education.
For my clients, choosing a college isn’t about which college ranks the highest on one of these lists. It’s about finding a place that aligns with their own academic and personal values. Each student’s criteria for a college are unique. They reflect on one or several of the following questions during our process together:
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When evaluating colleges, should we focus on input (what the institution offers), output (what graduates achieve), or value-added metrics (how well the institution enhances the student’s potential)? Meaningful comparison or ranking of educational institutions should start with self-awareness and an understanding of one’s own needs, rather than relying solely on external rankings.
While the recent Forbes and Washington Monthly lists provide useful insights, they shouldn’t overshadow the personal fit of a college. There are many excellent institutions that may not top these lists but still offer exceptional opportunities without the stress of competitive admissions. By prioritizing what truly matters to us over pre-set rankings, we can better align our choices with our personal needs and goals. In doing so, we shift our focus from external narratives to our own core values and aspirations.
Agreed. I used to encourage students to visit campus if possible - you live there for ~4 years, not just study there. It might be too urban, not urban enough, too hot/cold/humid…or maybe exactly what you want. It might have exactly the program you’re looking for…or it might not. People are different. Colleges are different.
COO at Grid + Glam
5 个月I love hearing from you, Sophia. I was just talking to a friend about this the other day - the importance of finding the right fit for the child, and not getting too caught up in the rankings. Those college years are four of the most impactful years of their lives. You want them to be in the environment that ticks as many boxes as possible -- the place the feels the most supportive and provides them with the most opportunities.