Be open to new ideas

BY MIKE UNGER

American University has earned its highest-ever ranking in U.S. News & World Report’s guide to “America’s Best Colleges,” and it finished in the top 40 of another list that takes into account both athletic and academic achievement.

The university ranked 85 in the 2006 U.S. News list of the top U.S. national universities, adding another accolade to its burgeoning reputation.

“It’s definitely a plus whenever you move up in any kind of ranking,” said Susan Hertz, associate director of admissions marketing. “Marketing people in higher education often talk about the backyard barbecue buzz, that’s often parents talking to each other. That can be very powerful in giving a sense that this is a ‘wow’ factor, maybe I should look into it.”

U.S. News & World Report uses input from university presidents, provosts, deans, and professors, as well as statistics in categories such as retention, selectivity, faculty resources, and graduation rates to determine a school’s score. The rankings, which were topped this year by Harvard, are far from scientific, yet most university administrators acknowledge that they carry significant weight with prospective students. Last year, AU finished 86th.

AU also registered an impressive 37th-place ranking on the National Collegiate Scouting Association’s 2005 Division I power rankings. The NCSA compiles its list by averaging the U.S. News & World Report ranking, the U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup ranking, and the NCAA student-athlete graduation rate of each school. The U.S. Sports Academy Directors’ Cup ranking evaluates the strength of NCAA athletic departments. The student-athlete graduation rates are based on those provided by the NCAA. Duke University topped the NCSA rankings this year.

Both accomplishments come on the heels of AU being named a “Best Buy” in the 2006 Fiske Guide to Colleges, which handed out that distinction to just 44 other schools.

“Located just a few miles from where our nation’s leaders make decisions of global impact, American University is a breeding ground for the next generation of reporters, diplomats, lobbyists, and political leaders who will shape domestic and international policy,” the Fiske Guide reads. “Alongside these eager buzz hounds is a host of students taking advantage of AU’s strong programs in the arts and sciences.

“Even if you’re not a C-SPAN junkie, AU and Washington, D.C., are still a top combo for a rich college life. The opportunities for real-world experience—in fields ranging from museum studies to dance to political science—are outstanding, and the school’s facilities continue to improve.”

While all this is music to AU officials’ ears, it won’t affect the way the university moves forward.

“We’re always a little conflicted because guidebooks have their place in the way you evaluate a college but they tend to probably have more influence then they ought,” Hertz said. “On the other hand, they truly do make a difference in people’s perceptions of the university.”