The U.S. News Rankings Are Here Again

This week the US News put out its Best Colleges for 2013. Every college counselor in the country, private or not, is aware of the new rankings – just go on Facebook, Twitter or LinkedIn and you will find scores of conversations discussing the lists, their lack of validity and the utter damnation of the US News. So, while I won’t jump in the pool and go into a long, drawn out rant about the rankings, I will toe the water and offer a simple perspective.

If you want to spend your time obsessing over schools in the top 25, go for it. If you want to approach your college applications as if this was a popularity contest, be my guest. If it’s more important for you to attend a school that has a name which you think will open doors for you in life, then you just keep marching to the beat of your drum. In fact, while you’re at it, go ahead and become a regular reader over at College Confidential. Folks over there LOVE rankings, lists and name-dropping.But, if you would rather conduct your college application process with intention, if you would like to apply to schools that will offer you what you are looking for, if you want to work your way through this process paying attention to the things that truly matter to you and not some random statistics that have no personal connection to you whatsoever, then read on my friend.Because it’s not the name of the school that’s going to provide you with a happy and successful life.Rather, it’s what you put into your college experience that gets you there. Really get deep into the material you are learning so that you not only do well on tests, but so that you become truly awesome at what you want to do. Network with your professors so that they can introduce you to people and opportunities in your field – because your degree doesn’t win you a job, your experiences and contacts do. Join clubs and organizations that matter to you and learn what it takes to balance a budget and lead others. Make friends with people from around the country and around the world so that you better understand how culture, geography and prejudice shape our perspectives in life. Intern, intern and intern some more. And most of all, fail at something.If you haven’t failed at something while you are in college, you haven’t tried hard enough.I know, I know. This will take work and effort on your part. It means you will have to get out of your comfort zone. You will have to take some risks. You will have to say, “hello” first. You will have to ask for help.

But these are all good things because it means you are growing up, maturing, and realizing the awesome person you are in the process of becoming. This is what you should be doing at college, whether the school is ranked #1 or #4,000.

If you have any questions about college rankings or how to make the most of your college experience, please use the comment box below. You can also email me directly at eric@doblercollegeconsulting.com – I would love to hear from you!

Learn More at Dobler College Consulting’s College Admissions Workshops

For parents who can make it, I will be holding a workshop titled, “Navigating The College Admissions Journey” on the following dates through each towns’ Adult & Continuing Education Program:

Sept 27: Newtown 6:30-8:30PM  
Oct 1: Wolcott 7-9PM
Oct 10: Cheshire 7-9PM
Oct 16: Meriden 6-8PM
Oct 23: Wallingford 6-8PM
Nov 5: North Haven 6-8PM

The workshop shares strategies to help your son or daughter navigate the college admissions process while eliminating mistakes that tend to reduce their chances of admission. Topics include college lists, online resources, essays, interviews, campus visits and what you need to know about making college more affordable.

All workshop participants will receive informational handouts and will be eligible for discounts off college counseling services.

To register for a class, contact the Adult Education Office for the town you reside in. Don’t live in one of these towns? You can easily get in touch with me to set up a free 60-minute consultation to help address your pressing college admissions-related questions and issues.

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