No matter how far I go back in time, the words ranking and universities have always gone hand-by-hand to each other. Being young and naive I believed everything that was said about them and what this rankings meant. I was clouded and never thought there was something behind those endless lists that classified each university or college in the US. I came to the conclusion that if I went to a school that wasn't among those at the top, then I was a no one, a failure and disappointment to my family and friends. Nevertheless, I have finally understood that I had been wrong and my perception closed minded. I had tricked and forced myself into believing something completely flawed that wasn't really interested in the type of education, but only had an ultimate goal of MONEY. Obviously money is important, but it shouldn't be your sole motivation. Money can obviously provide several assurances however, if you are unhappy it is not worth it.
Obviously, when I was younger I had no perception of what universities truly wanted or why they did what they did. It was only after finishing “Excellent Sheep” that I have seen the truth behind college rankings and how they are one of the causes of modern education being in the state it is in today. As the book explains it in a fancy language “academic reputation” as judged by administrators at other schools—a measure that invariably reflects perceptions about research rather than teaching, since nobody really knows what’s going on in other people’s classrooms.” In other words, the rankings value more the level of research done in the university rather than the education given to pupils by teachers. For this reason, universities are hiring tremendous researchers, who have no real teaching passion. This causes students to be bored in class, not learn as they should and thus, having a worst education at an “elite” school, than what they would at a “lesser” university.
Modern education is being shaped by college rankings and their suppose benefit, when the only thing they are doing is negatively affecting the quality of education students receive. One of the many reasons being that the way rankings are portrayed and created. This occurs because around 15% of what is used to qualify the university is based on the research done in the university. This means that those teaching are tremendous researchers and amazing field workers, but not necessarily specialized teachers that will tutor and mentor students. For this reason, we students are tricked into believing that we are going to a place that is going to offer us the best education just because it is placed high on the ranking however, it is the opposite. Instead students are going to a university solemnly focused on research. Where professors see their undergrad students as an extra burden to carry and not as something they are truly passionate about. This by no means should be seen as if where you study doesn't matter. On the contrary, the book portrays this perfectly “I am under no illusion that it doesn’t matter where you go to college. We mustn’t be naïve or sentimental about this. The notion that you can get an equally good education at Fresno State as at Stanford.” What they are truly saying is that the people and the environment surrounding you will play a huge roll on the type of education you receive and how you take it in. So before making a choice of where to go the decision should be based on your style of learning and personality, not on a ranking or on your family and friends.
P.S: Sorry for the boring look. Can't load images due to slow connection on my trip ;)
Obviously, when I was younger I had no perception of what universities truly wanted or why they did what they did. It was only after finishing “Excellent Sheep” that I have seen the truth behind college rankings and how they are one of the causes of modern education being in the state it is in today. As the book explains it in a fancy language “academic reputation” as judged by administrators at other schools—a measure that invariably reflects perceptions about research rather than teaching, since nobody really knows what’s going on in other people’s classrooms.” In other words, the rankings value more the level of research done in the university rather than the education given to pupils by teachers. For this reason, universities are hiring tremendous researchers, who have no real teaching passion. This causes students to be bored in class, not learn as they should and thus, having a worst education at an “elite” school, than what they would at a “lesser” university.
Modern education is being shaped by college rankings and their suppose benefit, when the only thing they are doing is negatively affecting the quality of education students receive. One of the many reasons being that the way rankings are portrayed and created. This occurs because around 15% of what is used to qualify the university is based on the research done in the university. This means that those teaching are tremendous researchers and amazing field workers, but not necessarily specialized teachers that will tutor and mentor students. For this reason, we students are tricked into believing that we are going to a place that is going to offer us the best education just because it is placed high on the ranking however, it is the opposite. Instead students are going to a university solemnly focused on research. Where professors see their undergrad students as an extra burden to carry and not as something they are truly passionate about. This by no means should be seen as if where you study doesn't matter. On the contrary, the book portrays this perfectly “I am under no illusion that it doesn’t matter where you go to college. We mustn’t be naïve or sentimental about this. The notion that you can get an equally good education at Fresno State as at Stanford.” What they are truly saying is that the people and the environment surrounding you will play a huge roll on the type of education you receive and how you take it in. So before making a choice of where to go the decision should be based on your style of learning and personality, not on a ranking or on your family and friends.
P.S: Sorry for the boring look. Can't load images due to slow connection on my trip ;)