The GlamNERD's Guide to the U.S. News & World Report College Rankings!

The 2012 edition of U.S. News & World Reports Best Colleges was published online yesterday September 13th. U. S. News & World Report’s published rankings of colleges and universities is the nation’s most popular and most controversial listing of its kind.  Annually, the magazine collects and analyzes statistical data on colleges and universities throughout the country and ranks institutions based on their performance on various indicators/dimensions of academic quality.  Many academics, economists, consumers etc have challenged the credibility of the lists, questioning both the data collected and the process by which it is analyzed.  Additionally, every school varies in mission, administration, faculty, culture, financial status , etc, therefore many  have argued whether are not there are universal standards of academic quality and institutional effectiveness.

 Photo Courtesy of http://www.usnews.com

In any case, many high school teachers, counselors, students and their families use the U. S. News & World Report rankings as a resource in identifying options for college and beyond.  Many do so with a superficial understanding of the rankings and how to use them.  Through this post I will share some general information about the methodology of the U.S. News & World Report College Rankings and some insight as to how to use them properly in your college search.

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Graduate School Application Timeline - What You Should Have Done Thus Far

So it will only be October for a few more minutes and 2010 is just about gone.  I can’t believe it’s almost over.  As time flies, it’s super easy for us to lose track of it and before you know it graduate school applications will be due.  I’m here now to give you a timeline, some check points of how to proceed through the graduate school applications process in neat little monthly increments.  Ain’t that convenient?!?  This is targeted for my college seniors and working professionals who are submitting applications to start graduate programs in the Fall of 2011.  But don't worry if you don't fall into that category right now.  The rules given here can also be applied to high school seniors and working professionals seeking to start undergraduate/vocational programs and students of all levels.  Click the link below for tools and information to make sure you're on the right track. Don't miss the bus! 

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Picking The Right College- Day 3

Today we deal with web based research tools that you can use in you college search. Once you’ve generally thought about what it is that you want to do you can now start the research.  Ask questions, google, watch YouTube videos, read blogs and do whatever you have to do to find out as much as you can about your goal.  Whether it be a college/graduate school program or an actual career path.  Don’t throw yourself into something without first making sure that what you are seeking is what’s best for you.   Click the link below for information on a couple of websites that will assist you in this process.

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