Most students have come across the annual Maclean’s magazine university ranking issue. Although their editor downplays his own magazine’s influence, many students who pick up a glossy version of the Maclean’s university issue each year use it as a primary tool to assist them with choosing a university. This year, Queen’s, along with at least 21 other schools, pulled out of the survey and will no longer co-operate with the magazine to provide easy access or free range to information.
The institutions who refuse to participate claim that comparing schools and programs is like comparing apples to oranges, and the methodology the magazine’s journalists use to create a university’s score is flawed and in need of revision. Maclean’s claims the universities are not happy because journalists are serving the interests of the people, not the schools. They say the universities’ refusal to provide information is disrespectful to the Canadian public.
The magazine’s attempt to present a quantative analysis of something so inherently qualitative seems to be the larger issue, rather than from where the information is released. Most statistics are available publicly from university websites; the problems arise when that information is analyzed. This magazine can be a helpful guide, but some schools find that they are being misrepresented by what they consider to be a flawed scoring system.
It’s unfortunate the two sides could not come together to improve the survey, rather than simply shutting each other out. The resulting stalemate is frustrating for all parties involved but most frustrating for the students who value the magazine as a resource guide. Not all students have the time or money to visit schools before they accept an offer. Outside sources, such as Maclean’s, can have a strong influence on their decision. If Maclean’s focused on the profiles more than the ranking, then the sides may have been able to work together to benefit the students.
It’s very important the survey is accurate because people take it seriously, whether or not it deserves that authority. Although Queen’s and the other schools are refusing to give out additional information, Maclean’s will continue to publish the university issue just as it has in the past.
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