Unrank and File

By Devon Horowitz

This week, GW revealed that it has been botching admissions data for the past 10 (yes, TEN) years, leading U.S. News & World Report (the only college ranking site that anyone cares about) to leave the university unranked until next fall's review of new data. GW was ranked 51st last year and now we are unranked. You want to know what other "institutions" of higher education are unranked? Well, the likes of University of Phoenix Online, Alliant International University and Wartburg Theological Seminary. Oh, and lest we not forget the ever-rigorous Divine Word College.

No disrespect to these, ahem, universities, but I sure hope that GW realizes what a slap in the face this act of dishonesty is to its students, faculty and alumni. Now many higher-ups in the university are saying this was an "unintentional" mistake - I get it, that's PR speak, but I'm calling their bluff. First of all, the erroneous data goes back to the 1990s, so I'm not really sure how they can get away with saying something unintentionally happened for over ten years. Additionally, U.S. News and World report just released the differences between the numbers reported and the accurate numbers and the differential is astounding. For example, for the entering class in Fall 2011,

Freshmen ranked in top 10% of high school class
Actual after correction: 58%
As first reported: 78%

Percent of students who submitted high school class rank
Actual after correction: 38%
As first reported: 51%

These are not one or two percentage points of difference - this was clearly done knowingly and it's wrong. For a university that so highly holds academic integrity, this is not setting a great lesson for all the future cheaters out there. If you flubbed the data, fine. But at least own up to it. Don't try to cover it up and pass it off to a scapegoat. It makes you look weak and like you actually do have something to hide.

What makes me most upset is that this flub is such a poor reflection on the students and faculty at GW. I hate when people tell me my school isn't nearly in the realm of Georgetown or Ivy League schools. We may be a bit different, but our students do really amazing things in their times here and go on to contribute tremendously in the world. And our faculty, especially in SMPA, are top notch, with great practical experience and connections that they willingly pass down to students. As a member of the GW community who has always had great pride for the buff and blue, I have to say I'm very disappointed in you.