Expanding access to a college education has been part of our mission from day one. That’s the case for most people in the college admissions field, whether on the counseling side or in the admissions office. A crucial aspect to this is helping students find the colleges that are the best fit for them.
So, we were fascinated by a couple of articles that have come out in the two weeks.
The first, How U.S. News college rankings promote economic inequality on campus by Politico, makes the argument that the US News college rankings are promoting economic inequality on campus by warping how colleges approach fundraising and admissions criteria.
The second is U.S. News Responds to Politico’s Critiques of Best Colleges. Predictably, it defends its methodology and places the blame on inequality elsewhere.
Whatever the situation, we believe that expanding access to ongoing learning that fits the needs, interests, and aspirations of each young adult is critical for our long-term success as a nation.
But looking beyond the issue of access is the question, what’s the best fit for me? The rankings are frequently misused by parents, students, and even some college counselors. They’re a point of information, not a replacement for digging deep and doing the thinking and research to find a college where a young adult can thrive and build a foundation for a happy and successful life.
Photo by Vadim Sherbakov on Unsplash