For 30 years, US News & World Report has been using a secret formula to rank the best colleges and universities in the United States. As a public service to our listeners, we hack the algorithm and discover the dirty little secret of the rankings game.
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07/01/21 • 32 min
11 Listeners
Revisionist History - Lord of the Rankings
Transcript Summary
In the podcast episode titled "Lord of the Rankings," discover the captivating story surrounding the US News and World Report's influential college ranking system. This episode explores how the rankings, initially created as a strategy to differentiate the magazine from competitors, grew immensely popular while the rest of the publication faded. Renowned author Malcolm Gladwell then delves into his investigation of the rankings and uncovers a group of rebellious students from Reed College who hacked the algorithm. Exposing the flawed nature of the reputation score, determined by surveys sent to higher education leaders with limited school knowledge, this episode also sheds light on the biases and prejudice that may be perpetuated by these rankings. Be prepared to question the true quality and fairness of university rankings in this thought-provoking and enthralling episode.
Transcript
Pushkin. Once upon a time in the middle of the nineteen eighties, when the Cold War still raged and a man named Ronald Reagan occupied the White House, there were three major weekly news magazines in the United States. Time Magazine was number one, with millions upon millions of copies in circulation, Newsweek was number two, and What News Magazine came in third place, a sleepy little publication based in Washington, DC known as US News and World
Lord of the Rankings Top Questions Answered
How are universities currently assessed and ranked?
Universities are assessed and ranked based on various factors, including reputation scores, academic quality, and surveys filled out by individuals such as provosts, enrollment managers, and admissions heads.
What is the purpose of college rankings?
College rankings were created by US News and World Report in the 1980s to distinguish the magazine from its competitors. They have since become popular and influential in assessing the quality and reputation of universities.
How do universities feel about the assessment process and rankings?
Some universities express frustration with the assessment process and rankings, as they believe it may not accurately measure their academic quality or provide a comprehensive understanding of their institution.
How do personal experiences and biases affect university rankings?
The dean of admissions at a major university rates schools based on personal experiences and biases, which may influence the rankings. However, this approach may not provide an objective evaluation of all schools.
Did students ever hack the college rankings algorithm?
Yes, a group of students at Reed College hacked the US News algorithm and recreated it. They found that their ranking closely matched the official rankings, indicating that the algorithm was replicable.
What is the significance of the reputation score in university rankings?
The reputation score is a crucial variable in university rankings. It is generated through surveys filled out by individuals who assess a school's academic quality, but they may not have in-depth knowledge of all the schools they rate.
How were extreme ratings eliminated in university rankings?
A trimming method is used in university rankings to eliminate extreme ratings. This helps to ensure that the rankings are not overly influenced by extreme opinions, providing a more balanced assessment of schools.
How long have university rankings been influential?
University rankings, originally created by US News and World Report in the 1980s, have remained influential to this day in assessing the quality and reputation of universities.
What creative approach did a university president take to stand out among other presidents?
A university president sent hot sauce samples to other college presidents as a creative way to differentiate themselves and create a unique impression in the academic community.
Who fills out surveys for university rankings?
Surveys for university rankings are typically filled out by individuals such as provosts, enrollment managers, and admissions heads. They provide their views on a school's academic quality, which contributes to the rankings.
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