Author Topic: Is the College of William and Mary ranked 31 on U.S. News Top US universities? (Read 8541 times)

Boo Radley · « **on:** February 12, 2007, 01:57:46 pm »

In another thread a totally separate topic came up and I'm moving it here to stop hijacking that thread.

If you use the link below you'll arrive at the U.S. News and World Report's list of top ranked national colleges/universities.

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1natudoc_brief.php

The 31st school is William and Mary. For unknown reasons the person quoted below states, even though I've shown him the link to their TOP TIER NATIONAL SCHOOLS, this list is wrong and there is another list of top national universities, although he offers no evidence to support his claim.

Quote from: scotttt

Boo,

U.S. News has different categories for ranking schools. The ranking among Nationally ranked schools represents the "big leage" of higher education. Local and regional schools are the "lminor leagues" of education. If you look up the 2007 U.S. News ranking of nationally ranked schools you will see that WIlliam and Mary is not present among the top nationally ranked schools. That is the only ranking that really matters, just as the major league in baseball is the only league that really matters. Sure U.S. News throws a bone to smaller less significant schools, but schools such as Harvard, Yale, Stanford and all of the U.C. schools are listed among the major league or nationally ranked schools. Some people in your local region might be impressed by a local school, but in the big city blue states such as California and New York, only nationally ranked schools has the chachet needed to truly impress people. Sorry , that is just how it is.

It demonstrates what a small town girl Aupoint is by being impressed with such unimpressive credentials. It shows your inabiility to distinguish between minor educational institutional rankings and nationally ranked educational institutions. Your inability to comprehend this is funny, I thiink. Go back and look at the list of U.S. News Nationally ranks schools, not the local or regionally ranked schools.

I know this is ludicrous but anal-retentive as I am I'd like someone to explain to me why I'm wrong or to explain to him why he is wrong. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes of your time!

Thanks,

Boo

ACinKC · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:07:12 pm »

I think its pretty black and white. William and Mary is #31.

Here is how *I* googled it...

2007 us news top nationally ranked universities

and here is the first link i get

www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1natudoc_brief.php <-- Remarkably the same link Boo got.

It doesn't get any clearer than that I would say.

aupointillimite · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:15:44 pm »

I'm a small town girl? I didn't see that thanks to the beauty of the ignore button.

Wow... I better tell my dad that all those trips to New York to visit family there were essentially visits to Podunksville.

And being born in DC and spending a significant portion of my life there probably doesn't count for much either.

I'll have to call Germany and let them know that spending two years in Frankfurt (a tiny hamlet which is laughably called the "Banking Capital of Europe") was just like living in the middle of nowhere.

As well as growing up in Hampton Roads, the largest demographic cul-de-sac on the East Coast. All those 1.6 million people living in such parochial darkness.

But as far as I can tell, that list is fairly straightforward in that it says "National Universities: Top Schools." But I guess "national" means different things to different people.

If I didn't know any better, I'd think an institution of learning that has been around since 1693 would know a thing or two... but we're all so dim-witted here in Virginia... I could be wrong.

woodshere · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:17:53 pm »

Of course this might be an interpretation type thing. scottt might consider the top schools to be those 20 and above. There by William and Mary being 31 is not in the top. But in the big scheme of things does it really matter. After the beginnings of one's career the school isn't nearly as important as career accomplishments. I mean who would ever think the GW is a graduate of Yale.

Woods

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:54:03 pm »

One thing about William and Mary, is if you take account of the SIZE of the school as it's rather small, it ranks way higher in terms of small liberal arts colleges. It all depends on whether you want to be a useless clog in a wheel at a massive university.

At any rate, It's one of the 2 best colleges in the state of Virginia, and unless you attended an Ivy League school you'd be hard pressed to do bettter.

Should we all compare SAT scores now? This is about the DUMBEST conversation we've yet had on here, and yet another example of how so many are bringing the tenor of discussion down to the depths of a southern mud pie. Way to go, Keisha.

DingoBoi · « **Reply #5 on:** February 12, 2007, 02:58:48 pm »

My school isn't even listed on the list at all!

Gawd I must be retarded and dumber than dumb.

Bailey (who attended Embry-Riddle Aeronautical Univ aka: the harvard of the skies)

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #6 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:00:56 pm »

that's a very good school for aeronautics... I have a friend who went there. Do you have a pilots license?

Ann · « **Reply #7 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:06:57 pm »

I better not see any flame-baiting or personal attacks in this thread. Some of you are very close to being given time outs as it is. Please consider this a very serious warning.

Ann

Boo Radley · « **Reply #8 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:07:56 pm »

Quote from: woodshere on February 12, 2007, 02:17:53 pm

Of course this might be an interpretation type thing. scottt might consider the top schools to be those 20 and above.

Woods,

Thanks for your response. If scottt means a ranking of top 10 or 20 or whatever he has not stated it. If he stated W&M isn't in the top 20 I never would have responded.

Boo

Optimistic · « **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:21:33 pm »

Here is a list of the rankings from all the Universities in the world. HOORAY for UC Berkeley and UCLA.

http://www.webometrics.info/top3000.asp

Justin

DingoBoi · « **Reply #10 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:41:25 pm »

isn't berkeley the school that has doucheburg on their faculty?

Boo Radley · « **Reply #11 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:58:30 pm »

Even though the mods have issued 2 warnings to those of use who allowed the other thread to be diluted, one of the primary offenders has responded in the same thread:

the genius responds

Quote from: scotttt on February 12, 2007, 03:44:49 pm

http://www.usnews.com/usnews/edu/college/rankings/brief/t1natudoc_brief.php

Read and weep, no William and Mary. Sorry to be so petty but......

BTW these are the rankings of the National, read top schools.

scottt provides me with the same link to the data I posted and again William and Mary is #31.

What's missing here?

Boo

aupointillimite · « **Reply #12 on:** February 12, 2007, 03:58:54 pm »

I am reminded of this awesome job I had working at the Prince George Street Market when I was 21. It was a deli/sundries market kind of place. I got to make sandwiches, listen to Johnny Cash, and drink free Anchor Steam. Needless to say, I had it so made it wasn't funny.

I also got to babysit my boss' 13 year old daughter. He knew she was completely safe with me, even though she had something of a crush on me.

I repaid his trust by getting her into Stereolab and A Clockwork Orange (book first, then the movie).

She's turned out to be a pretty cool chick.

aupointillimite · « **Reply #13 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:23:38 pm »

This is amusing if you're at all familiar with Virginia's college and universities

How many Virginia University students does it take to change a lightbulb?

How many William & Mary students does it take to change a light bulb?
Three, one to change the bulb, and two to crack under the pressure.

How many Old Dominion students does it take to change a light bulb?
Four, two to change the bulb, and two to figure out how to get high off the old one.

How many Mary Washington students does it take to change a light bulb?
The whole student body, there's nothing better to do on weekends.

How many Georgetown students does it take to change a light bulb?
Two, one to change the bulb, and one to throw the old bulb at American U students.

How many UVA students does it take to change a light bulb?
One, he just holds the bulb and lets the world revolve around him.

How many Virginia Tech students does it take to change a light bulb?
Three, one to change the bulb, and two to discuss how they did it as well as a UVA student.

How many James Madison University students does it take to change a light bulb?
None, Harrisonburg doesn't have electricity.

How many Virginia Commonwealth students does it take to change a light bulb?
None, downtown Richmond looks better in the dark.

How many Eastern Mennonite U students does it take to change a light bulb?
Two, one to hold the candle, and the other to strike the flint.

How many George Mason University students does it take to change a light bulb?
Three, if they get lucky and one of them has taken the course at NOVA.

How many Washington and Lee students does it take to change a light bulb?
Four, one to change a bulb, and three to write up a complaint to the board of directors stating that they could have gone to a better school if they had wanted to.

How many Mary Baldwin students does it take to change a light bulb?
Four, One to change the light bulb, and three to figure out how it will help them meet their future husband.

How many U of Richmond students does it take to change a light bulb?
Two, one to mix the martinis and one to call the electrician.

How many Hollins College students does it take to change a light bulb?
None, that's what maids are for.

How many Radford University students does it take to change a light bulb?
Just one, but it takes six years.

How many Sweet Briar Students does it take to change a light bulb?
The entire student body, once they hear the word screw.

How many Randolph-Macon Woman's College students does it take to change a light bulb?
One, if she can handle four majors she sure as hell can handle changing a light bulb.

RapidRod · « **Reply #14 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:37:48 pm »

Zero, you can't get on I-495 to buy a light bulb and back to class during rush hour in a days time.

aupointillimite · « **Reply #15 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:39:17 pm »

Quote from: RapidRod on February 12, 2007, 04:37:48 pm

Zero, you can't get on I-495 to buy a light bulb and back to class during rush hour in a days time.

Ha ha! It's funny because it's true!

And by the time you get home taking the Beltway, your headlights have burned out... so it's time to go back to the store...

Cliff · « **Reply #16 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:46:34 pm »

I don't understand why this turned into an issue. William and Mary, Berkley and UCLA are all good schools. Great schools actually. Where they rank on one magazine's listing (which isn't the sole authority on what constitutes a good school) shouldn't be a big deal.

ACinKC · « **Reply #17 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:50:07 pm »

This discussion PALES in comparison to the discussion on HIV infected BEES!!!

aupointillimite · « **Reply #18 on:** February 12, 2007, 04:53:57 pm »

Cliff, it was a lightbulb changing contest gone awry. Lightbulbs... everywhere!

And much like a floor covered in broken lightbulbs... we shouldn't go over it... and certainly not again.

My simile ends there.

You are, of course, correct.

Queen Tokelove · « **Reply #19 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:19:53 pm »

Honestly, I don't see a problem with a person having pride in the school they attended. Maybe we should get a Pep Rally going or something. I agree with Philly, this is kinda an idiotic thread, but that's just me. Boo, I love ya baby but sometimes it's just good to walk away and let that person have the last word. In my eyes, it's being the better man.

ACinKC · « **Reply #20 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:23:55 pm »

OR, you can kick them in the balls and THEN turn around and walk away! Which truly is the best of both worlds dont you think!!!

KIDDING!!!

Boo Radley · « **Reply #21 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:31:16 pm »

Quote from: Queen Akasha on February 12, 2007, 05:19:53 pm

... I agree with Philly, this is kinda an idiotic thread, but that's just me. Boo, I love ya baby

Love ya, too, Queen, but when a friend is being unjustly attacked my adrenalin starts rushing and I'm ready to rip out eyeballs. If you'd seen the entire incident as it played out you would probably understand better.

It has nothing to do with William and Mary, it's the principle.

Boo

Censored at 8:21PM CST

dtwpuck · « **Reply #22 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:35:09 pm »

Why is this so contentious?
Does anyone actually believe that these lists are 100% objective?

I don't know what to say without setting someone off here, but I went to top five schools both for u.g. and grad. There were good students and bad students at both. Poor little rich kids and rich little poor kids. The faculty at both had stars and slobs. And I certainly don't see what warrants calling someone "smalltown" about the fact that they might think that an attendee of W&M might be impressive. Not that being smalltown is all that bad.

Funny thing is, the smartest person I think I have ever met didn't attend one of the big shiny schools, but went to SDSU, supposedly a party school. Not that I haven't used my education to get me places in life, to claim otherwise would be disingenuous. However, I do think that a blue ribbon education might open doors, but it doesn't teach you much about how to function in real life.

The thing that impresses me most about a person's education is usually his/her passion for learning, not the words on the diploma. I guess having spent so many years evaluating people's skillsets has led me to the conclusion that having a degree in basket weaving doesn't mean you know how to weave baskets.

ACinKC · « **Reply #23 on:** February 12, 2007, 05:37:49 pm »

You're a basket weaver? Thats funny cause Boo is a basket case, aaaaaaaaah the similarities!

Life · « **Reply #24 on:** February 12, 2007, 06:44:33 pm »

We have more PHD's in my town waiting tables than I can count.... I ask you....... why.......?

dtwpuck · « **Reply #25 on:** February 12, 2007, 07:05:46 pm »

Maybe they studied structural linguistics and Russian literature.

aupointillimite · « **Reply #26 on:** February 12, 2007, 07:12:15 pm »

Quote from: dtwpuck on February 12, 2007, 07:05:46 pm

Maybe they studied structural linguistics and Russian literature.

Or Russian linguistics and post-structual literature.

koi1 · « **Reply #27 on:** February 12, 2007, 08:54:31 pm »

I gotta hand it to you Woodshere,

You made great point here.

Of course this might be an interpretation type thing. scottt might consider the top schools to be those 20 and above. There by William and Mary being 31 is not in the top. But in the big scheme of things does it really matter. After the beginnings of one's career the school isn't nearly as important as career accomplishments. I mean who would ever think the GW is a graduate of Yale.

Woods

I think the best thing is if you can choose a career that you enjoy arriving to every morning. After all of that, nothing else really matters. That's why dropping the name of your school is really just pretentious and unecessary. That is the only time it became an issue. And yes I agree, some of the most intelligent people never stepped inside a college. College is based on drive and opportunity for a lot of people. I wish it were available to all who ever dreamed of going.

rob

Miss Philicia · « **Reply #28 on:** February 13, 2007, 04:12:47 am »

Quote from: Boo Radley on February 12, 2007, 05:31:16 pm

It has nothing to do with William and Mary, it's the principle.

Boo

exactly, but you'll still get banned

Queen Tokelove · « **Reply #29 on:** February 13, 2007, 04:52:57 am »

Quote from: philly267 on February 13, 2007, 04:12:47 am

exactly, but you'll still get banned

This is true. I would hate to see you or Boo get banned. I don't know what I would do if the both of you got banned. I would prolly have withdrawls because with y' all gone I would miss the sarcasm, you know Rod and AC can't do it alone.....

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Author Topic: Is the College of William and Mary ranked 31 on U.S. News Top US universities? (Read 8541 times)