The November issue of The Atlantic Monthly includes a series of articles on the college admissions process. The pieces chronicle the long-term trend towards nationwide competition in American education. Entitled “Our First Annual College Admissions Survey,” the feature also includes a chart, much like that found each year in U.S. News & World Report, listing the 50 most selective colleges in America. Georgetown ranks 20th.
While criteria such as acceptance rate and academic programs are probably better reasons to choose a school than whether or not they have hot tubs (see below), they still don’t cut to the crux of the issue. As The Atlantic notes, choosing a college is intended to be about matching the appropriate school to the individual student, not fighting your way to the most highly-rated school regardless of your actual interest in going there.
John Fox Sullivan, president of The Atlantic Monthly, said in The New York Times that the article uses the list of rankings format because it naturally appeals to the audience and sells magazines. While this format may increase sales, this does not justify using rankings of questionable value. Where information on college admissions is concerned-especially information presented in a list format-apprehensive college applicants rely too heavily on these “facts.” It is all the more ironic because the list is accompanied by a number of thoughtful articles downplaying the value of rankings in the admissions process.
Journalists should realize the inherent responsibility that comes with their ability to sway public opinion. While the public should rethink the value of such rankings, publishers should not ruthlessly pursue sales in the meantime.
