Revisionist History Lord of the Rankings
Jul 1, 2021
Uncover the secrets behind US News & World Report's controversial college rankings and their impact on higher education. Dive into the biases and flaws that shape perceptions of institutions, particularly historically Black colleges. Enjoy light-hearted anecdotes about homemade hot sauce and the absurdity of ranking absurdities. Explore the dynamics of peer assessment scores and their significant role in reputational standings, while questioning the real value behind these widely-followed rankings. It's a fascinating mix of humor, critique, and culinary fun!
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U.S. News & World Report's Rise
- In the mid-1980s, U.S. News & World Report, a struggling news magazine, introduced college rankings.
- This audacious move aimed to differentiate them from competitors Time and Newsweek.
Reed College Hack
- U.S. News's college ranking algorithm is secretive, but Reed College students recreated it.
- Their model accurately predicted other schools' rankings but revealed a significant discrepancy for Reed.
Peer Assessment Power
- The peer assessment score is the most influential factor in the U.S. News rankings.
- Increasing this score significantly impacts a school's overall ranking.