Total stress case here! I came across something about highly recommended colleges in The Wall Street Journal, but I'm having trouble finding the specifics. Can anyone point me to which colleges the WSJ recommends the most, and why?
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) doesn't directly "recommend" colleges, but it does publish a ranking of colleges. You might also be referring to the Wall Street Journal / Times Higher Education (WSJ/THE) College Rankings, which provide an annual list of top U.S. colleges and universities.
This ranking is created based on 15 individual performance indicators designed to answer relevant questions students and their families have when making the decision to select a college. These are divided into four areas: Resources (30%), Engagement (20%), Outcomes (40%), and Environment (10%).
- Resources include schools' capacity to effectively deliver teaching, encompassing factors like finance per student, faculty-student ratio, and papers per faculty. Essentially, this is about what the college can invest, especially in teaching.
- Engagement is an aspect unique to the WSJ/THE ranking, aiming to capture how involved and satisfied students are with their education, based on survey results asking students about interactions with teachers and students, the quality of teaching, and whether students would recommend their college.
- Outcomes account for graduation rate, value added to graduate salary, debt after graduation, academic reputation. This pillar measures things like the college’s reputation, its graduation rate, and the economic success of its students relative to their peers.
- The 'Environment' category takes into account international students, student diversity, student inclusion, and staff diversity. This aims to evaluate whether a college provides a diverse and inclusive environment.
So, WSJ/THE rankings provide important information on several criteria, which can prove valuable to students and their families when they're deciding where to apply.
Just remember, while rankings can serve as a useful guide, they shouldn't be the sole factor driving your college search. Consider things like college size, location, availability of majors, campus culture, financial aid policies, and amenities that matter to you. What's most important is finding a college that aligns with your personal interests, career goals, and other key factors that will contribute to your overall college experience.
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