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>> Lists like these recognise in public University's that are good and gives all universities a reason to improve. I very much hope universities aren't shallow
by aik 14y ago
>> Lists like these recognise in public University's that are good and gives all universities a reason to improve.
I very much hope universities aren't shallow and lacking of a reasonable vision and mission to the point of requiring some random generic ranking to motivate efforts to improve.
Many students might, however, be motivated by such things. That is, anyway, until they realize it's probably not a good strategy. Ie. If I want to become a lawyer or politician, I don't go to MIT; if I want to become a software engineer, I don't go to [insert random high ranking university without an engineering related program].
>> ...the truth is yes you are better off going to a higher rated university if external factors are equal.
I'm curious what you mean by "if external factors are equal"? What external factors? Do you mean "if all universities had the same mission and vision, same degree programs, same culture, are located in the same place, attract the same type of students, etc."? I can agree with you then. However, I believe the fact is that the "external factors" are actually very, very different (back to my original comment).
- tzs 14y ago> If I want to become a lawyer or politician, I don't go to MIT Actually, going to MIT is fine if you want to be a lawyer, as long as you get good grades at MIT and do well on the LSAT. The LSAT part should be easy. For the kind of person that goes to MIT, the LSAT is a fun test. Grades might be a problem, as MIT is not, I hear, the place to go for an easy A. However, if you can get good grades there, the MIT background should stand out with the law school admissions people, because they don't see a lot of applicants from MIT. Law touches nearly everything we do, and the top law schools recognize we need lawyers and judges with diverse backgrounds. That MIT degree will be a plus. Amusing LSAT trivia: Physics and math majors are the highest scoring group on the LSAT, followed by philosophy and religion majors. The lowest scoring group is criminology majors, and second lowest is prelaw majors.
- blacksmythe 14y ago>> Amusing LSAT trivia: Physics and math majors are the highest scoring group on the LSAT, followed by philosophy and religion majors. Philosophy majors are surprising high on the "Best Undergrad College Degrees By Salary" list (http://www.payscale.com/2008-best-colleges/degrees.asp http://www.payscale.com/2008-best-colleges/degrees.asp), with a mid-career median ahead of every other major without a direct technology application.