By Leo Corman ‘15

The president of a well-known university, who wishes to stay anonymous, is seen contemplating ways to make his college a powerhouse again. The university took a major hit in undergraduate applications after it was ranked far below its expectations.

Colleges have it pretty rough. Their admissions offices must work constantly to cater to the whims of capricious high school students. They bolster their sports programs, take on extracurricular activities and provide job and leadership opportunities all in the hopes of making their particular school more appealing. Unfortunately, their tireless efforts may go unrecognized by narrow-minded and judgmental students who make their college decisions based solely on schools’ rankings.

According to admissions officers across the country, the reliance on rankings as the significant (or only) factor in differentiating between schools has become more common in recent years among students that are too lazy or indifferent to examine each school in its entirety. Students look only at the college or university on paper, failing to appreciate the real school as a distinct entity.

“Of course it’s disheartening,” revealed one disenchanted president of a well-known university who wished to remain anonymous to avoid the wrath of the unforgiving and monopolistic rankings provider, U.S. News & World Report. “To know that no matter how much hard work everyone here puts in toward distinguishing this school as a well-regarded, desirable place of higher learning, our success will ultimately be determined by the arbitrary designation of some guy at U.S. News & World Report—it’s unbelievably frustrating. And sure, these students might say they take everything into consideration, but we all know that most of them will automatically dismiss any school that falls under a certain ranking.”

Many have expressed concerns about the effect that the rankings might have on schools’ friendships with each other. They believe, understandably, that one school getting ranked above a friend school can seriously complicate and strain their relationship, as the school ranked lower will inevitably feel inferior. In addition, the competition between the schools to procure attendance from top students can cause further damage, and the stress and pressure created by the entire situation often takes its toll on the schools.

“On a lot of nights, I’m up until two in the morning, sometimes later, trying to send out emails to prospective students, answer questions and review incoming applications,” admitted a different university official. “I’d like to think that I’m exerting myself for a reason, that I’m making some kind of difference, but the prominence of those rankings just makes me feel useless. When it comes to marketing and spreading awareness about our school, if kids are going to take the rankings as gospel, why should I even bother?”

Sarah Johnson, Director of Undergraduate Admissions at a renowned local college, takes issue with high school students’ lack of a holistic perspective. “How can you purport to know anything about a school from a single number?” Johnson asked. “It’s not possible. You can’t derive anything about a school’s personality or character from its ranking. Students need to take the time to truly get to know every school as a unique individual. I think most admissions officers would just feel a lot better if students treated us with the same level of respect that we treat them. It is only fair.”