University Rankings: Top 5 Reasons You Should Care
You have started looking for university options and are now in a dillema: should I pay attention to the university league tables or rankings? You are not alone! Many people joining either undergraduate or postgraduate degrees ask exactly the same question - I certainly did!
So... do they matter? Well... yes and no! Let's explore the issue a bit more!
Low Admissions Rate
Being admitted into Harvard, Oxford, Cambridge, St Andrews (cough cough), Stanford and other similar institutions is no easy feat. Their strikingly low admissions rate means that you have to be pretty exceptional to make it there. That already shows that amongst the thousands of candidates you were one of the few chosen ones. To future employers and other important people will mean a great deal!
2. Research Output and Impact
Higher ranked institutions tend to have a higher and more impactful research output. Research output and its impact means more funding from external bodies. This funding translates into more capable staff to guide you and mentor you throughout your studies. More funding also means better infrastructure (classrooms, technology, library resources, etc.).
3. Student Experience
Higher ranked institutions tend to have interesting student satisfaction rates. At the end of every term students have to assess the quality of their education. Despite being somewhat misguided - if students don't particularly like the grades they got, they tend to be quite negative - usually negative opinions are voiced more often than positive ones - student satisfaction surveys matter.
4. Employment Rates
Higher ranked institutions tend to have higher employment rates. Whilst not talking about highly employable professions such as doctors and engineers, if you study art or literature at a prestigious university, chances are, you are going to find a great job in your field. You will benefit from a fancy diploma, network, and great academics!
5. Student Support
This might not be the case in every high ranking university, however, the higher you go, the more chances you have for the institution to place a lot of emphasis in student support. Recognising mental health struggles, for example, should be at the core of any institutions' priorities, however, in my experience, only top universities give students all the support they need. Access to certified therapists, doctors, etc. is a luxury in today's cost-cutting mentality of many institutions.
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Should you care about university rankings?
Yes! They will give you a pretty good indication of how your experience will be throughout your studies!
Should you place a lot of emphasis in it?
No! They are what they are - good indications! I did my Master's at the University of Leeds (ranked 15th in the U.K. in 2021 /22) and my Ph.D. at the University of St Andrews (ranked 1st in the U.K. in 2021/22) and my perceived difference was negligible.
What if you can't get in any top university?
I was a pretty average student throughout my highschool (15/20) and my undergrad (15/20 - taking me 2 years longer to complete than normal), however, I made it to the best University in the UK and am now a rather successful academic! Despite not being able to join a top university, I still made it to where I want to be, and I don't feel, in any way, that an education from the Polytechnic of Porto hindered my professional life.
Do you really want to shoot for the moon?
If so, I advise you to get in touch with me, or go directly to A&J Education - I collaborate with them and they know how to get you or your kids in top institutions (legally).
