U.S. News & World Report has finally released its new list and currently ranks Cornell University at No. 11. This means Big Red will outperform not only Columbia University, but also Dartmouth College and Brown University. While this may be an occasion of great joy for all University Cornelians, it also begs the question, “Why are we so obsessed with rankings?” Why are these rankings so important and what do they mean in the grand scheme of things?
Going back in history, the Ivy League began in 1954 as a sports conference. Today, the term “Ivy League” reflects fame, elitism, money, and success. Over the years, this group of East Coast universities has grown in size, endowment, age, and, of course, prestige. Cornell University was the last to participate and also the youngest. Founded in 1864, Cornell University is approximately 95 years younger than the next youngest Ivy, Dartmouth College. Being nearly a century apart from the second-youngest player posed a hurdle for the Big Red.
Cornell University has often been cited as a “fake Ivy,” a “remnant” of the Ivy group. why? Because 1) it is the youngest, 2) it has an unconventional establishment, and 3) some of the land is provided for free. These differences, along with its size and high acceptance rate, make this school a frequently failing school. A commonly used phrase from Cornell University is, “The Ivy is the easiest to get into, but the hardest to get out of.” This refers to Cornell University’s high acceptance rate and the rigor of its courses. Compared to Harvard, where grade inflation is rampant, Cornell has a reputation as a school that “depresses” grades.
These are some factors that contribute to Cornell University’s overall image. The student population has increased, land grants have been given to the university, and finally, the fact that Cornell University is providing more access to middle-class families. The median annual income for students’ families is about $151,000, and many Cornelians come from New York state because of land grants and in-state tuition exemptions. Compare this to Brown University, Harvard University, or Yale University, where median annual salaries range from $168,000 to $200,000. In the Ivy League, only Columbia has a lower median household income than Cornell University. But why is access decreasing rather than increasing a university’s prestige, reflecting the decline in median student income?
The answer is simple. Elitism is all about exclusivity, so the more exclusive something is, the more prestigious it is. Along these lines, a program doesn’t necessarily have to be the most rigorous or well-taught. Rather, as long as a school has a history, is selective, and is backed by an influential name, prestige will follow. Getting back to the topic, why are we so obsessed with these rankings?I think it has something to do with the fact that getting into a prestigious university is a status symbol. College rankings influence the decisions of parents and students alike. They amplify the “prestige factor.” They give students something to aim for. Getting into Harvard, Yale, or a top school symbolizes intelligence, dignity, and wealth. University rankings only reinforce that idea, as students prepare to apply not just to get an education, but to satisfy their own curiosity. Furthermore, in terms of a basic university education, what fundamentally does Harvard offer that cannot be found at a state university? What is there is a reputation and an opportunity opened up by its brand name. The same is true.
The obsession with elite rankings and “top Ivy, bottom Ivy, HYP” in the college admissions community and elsewhere has created dissonance with high school students and the general public. This cacophony that university rankings create is often unpleasant. It promotes cutthroat competition, unethical admissions methods (such as paying for the SAT and cheating), and perpetuates class disparities in higher education. Sure, elite universities may have better resources, but they also come at a higher price, often resulting in career and income parity compared to many state schools. Elitism is divisive and its motto is to exclude. Why should a prestigious education be exclusive, especially if that exclusivity primarily reflects money and power rather than achievement or intelligence?
Perhaps it is time to ignore university rankings as a decision-making factor in higher education. At the end of the day, you should focus on quality and fit beyond just rankings because that’s what matters most. A person may feel miserable at the “number one university” in the world, but may be much happier at the “number 30 university,” or even an unranked university. Why do numbers matter? In fact, why does the term “fake Ivy” exist? Why do we have to disparage certain universities in order to uplift others? Perhaps the bigger picture? I guess it’s time to take a look. Public schools and community colleges offer the same value as the Ivies. They educate the majority of the US population. In fact, I think it’s time to start believing that ranked universities don’t determine a person’s future, but that it’s their own work, creativity, and ideas that make the difference.
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Asfi Tias is a second year student in the Faculty of Arts and Sciences. Her column, “Thoughts After Midnight,” focuses on students’ academic and social experiences on campus and includes passionate opinions and political commentary. She can be reached at (email protected).
