Rankings

Rankings are fallible- and should not be taken at face value.  That being said they are a piece of information that can be useful if used appropriately.  

Good ways to use ranking Information: 

Use of underling data: As an example in the UK if you look at the rankings for Universities it will also give you data on student satisfaction, or employability after degree.  This is more useful information than just a rankings number, and it should always be followed up with an in depth look at the program to see about personal fit.  The better rankings systems are transparent about the types of data they are using to develop their ranking.  As an example the Times Higher Education Rankings are based on: 

• Teaching quality 

• Research environments and qualities 

• Collaboration with industry 

• International outlook

• Reputation surveys of academics

• Student-to-staff ratio

• Doctorate-to-bachelor ratio

• Institutional income

• Nobel prizes awarded to individuals at particular institutions

• Sustainability

• International student and faculty ratios

The Times Higher Education Ranking are also very interesting as they include rankings like the most impactful in terms of the UN Global Goals, or best University in Paris, or in Asia. 

It is not a valid use of University rankings to: 

Say "I will only apply to a top 10 University"- this does not take into account your fit for the program nor the fact that the data may be based on information that will not help you to succeed at University or beyond.  Getting into a "top 10" University is not success if you are asking to transfer after the first year or are not earning a "first" in UK terms or are being highly academically successful.  

This type of approach will not give the student the information that they need to develop a successful application and is more likely to end up with successful applications and or students finding themselves in a program that does not fit them well after they start.