Why so many USNWR Ties? Forum

[Renne Walker]

21 of the top 30 USNWR schools are some kind of tie. What is this all about?

At first glance I would say it was attributable to the criteria, a criteria that does not effect T-6 schools. The ties begin at 7, where UPENN has been #7 for two years, both times in a tie (but with different schools).

In the T-30 there are three three-way ties. It becomes worse down the line: 5-way tie for #42; six-way tie for #61; 11-way tie for the [coveted] #84 position. What gives? Odd, I think.


7. UPenn - Michigan
14. Georgetown -Texas
16. UC-Los Angeles -Vanderbilt
18. USC -Washington University – St. Louis
20. George Washington - Minnesota
23. Indiana-Bloomington - UC-Davis - Illinois - Notre Dame
27. Boston College - William & Mary - Iowa
30. Emory - Fordham - North Carolina - Washington

[09042014]

The score 200ish schools on a 100 pt scale. There has to be a lot ties. The rankings have a capricious methodology.

You aren't foolish enough to think the rankings should be able to determine objectively if Penn and Mich are different?

[BlueDiamond]

http://www.thefreedictionary.com/tie

looks to me like they either got the same USNWR score or they can all fasten something with rope or string

[Grizz]

The score 200ish schools on a 100 pt scale. There has to be a lot ties. The rankings have a capricious methodology.

You aren't foolish enough to think the rankings should be able to determine objectively if Penn and Mich are different?

Capricious? I'd say stupid.

[Renne Walker]

You aren't foolish enough to think the rankings should be able to determine objectively if Penn and Mich are different?

Apparently USNWR believes they can objectively determine an untied ranking for the T-6, Duke, Northwestern and Cornell. . . .but for numerous others, let's call it a tie!