Just wondering..which rankings are better or are they about the same ?

us news is better for overall perception

businessweek is better for rhyme (and me)

I think US News is generally a better indicator of what people will decide when faced with the choice between two (or more) schools). The question is do the preferences drive the rankings or do the rankings drive the perceptions. In the end, it doesn't really matter.

When you look at the points of inflection in the two different rankings, the US News rankings seem to pass the smell test better. For example, Haas and Tuck have moved ahead of Columbia in the US News rankings. I believe that Columbia is the better school, but I can certainly understand how a lot of people might prefer Haas or Tuck. Looking at the top 15 or so, I can imagine a logical explanation for each.

Some of the Businessweek rankings just don't pass the smell test. Would any relevant portion of the stakeholders out there really argue that Chicago and Kellogg should be ahead of Harvard? I don't buy it. How about Ross (and those above) ahead of Stanford. Smells fishy. What percentage of the people at Stanford would trade their seat for a spot at Ross. I'm guessing, outside of some people with highly individualized personal concerns, about 0%. Vice versa? About 100%.

However, notwithstanding everything above, I think that Hjort's cluster system makes the most sense. Once you start looking at schools within the same cluster, other concerns (location, personal, teaching style, money, etc.) are probably the deciding factors for most people.

I believe Kry, you are looking for this:

http://www.dealmaven.com/community/blogs/student/archive/2007/08/15/mba-admissions-101-mba-rankings.aspx

How about this one (at least as a cluster)?

http://www.mbagcf.com/aboutus/aboutus.php

L.

The ranking that he has in the end is a little off as he has the wrong stats for CBS. The yield and selectivity should read 77% and 17% respectively. I think thats the reason he has highlighted those fields in the spreadsheet. Not that it changes anything drastically...but FWIW.

I think USNews is THE most used rankings site for most higher education institutions - it also reflects popular perceptions more than Businessweek does.

The M7 is real...they have come out and said they meet to discuss the state of B-schools. They definitely all are working together somewhat to strengthen their standings.

One way to judge schools is to look at the highly sought after post grad jobs. How many hires do they get from the sought after companies like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, GS, Morgan Stanley, L. bros, M Lynch...etc. If a great proportion of the folks heading into consulting go to the Big 3 then obviously its a very highly regarded school.
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Kellogg Class of 2010...still active and willing to help. However, I do not do profile reviews, don't offer predictions on chances and am far to busy to review essays, so save the energy of writing me a PM seeking help for these. If I don't respond to a PM that is not one of the previously mentioned trash can destined messages, please don't take it personally I get so many messages I have a hard to responding to most. The more interesting, compelling, or humorous you message the more likely I am to respond.
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Obviously USnews is considered the most accurate with BW coming in just behind. The rest are bordering on useless, schools will proudly say they are #5 on so and so's ranking but in reality it means nothing. Recruiters dont really care about rankings, they go to the same schools year after year regardless of what some magazine says. Use USnews to get an idea and dont worry yourself with the others.

The previous discussion of the M7 also reminded me that at Kellogg's admitted students weekend the dean talked about how the deans of those schools meet several times a year. So I guess that solidifies that its true. They work together to keep up with trends of education and applicants. Sounded like an arrangement that benefits all the parties.
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Kellogg Class of 2010...still active and willing to help. However, I do not do profile reviews, don't offer predictions on chances and am far to busy to review essays, so save the energy of writing me a PM seeking help for these. If I don't respond to a PM that is not one of the previously mentioned trash can destined messages, please don't take it personally I get so many messages I have a hard to responding to most. The more interesting, compelling, or humorous you message the more likely I am to respond.
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guys, the rankings are made to be controversial so they can sell magazines....THAT'S ABOUT IT....

there are only two criteria:

1) Where a student would go if he had multiple choices
2) Career opportunities at the most prestigious and lucrative firms