Reviews,Rankings,Rep: Poetsandquants top 10 ranking, legit or fraud?

Question

I just read the comment on insidehighered about the "Rankings mess, getting worse," debacle with Temple's online MBA program and US News. The comment reads,

"I find it really interesting Poetsandquant is featured in this story as a moral authority and the whistle-blower, with their uncovering the Temple data fraud. PQ runs a very profitable website which is largely fueled by admissions consultants advertising and being featured in its review system. This review system is 100% unverified. Also, PQ has created a prominent ranking of consultants completely based on this unverified data. This feels like fraud too, as PQ has published data without verifying its accuracy. Pot calling the kettle black."

So, PQ has a ranking of its own and the data to support it is NOT "independently validated." I agree with commenter quoted that they are NOT validated at all. Has anyone seen anything to dispute that?

rdaniel · Answer

The data that the top 10 ranking is based on is fake. The site has no review validation process at all even though it says it does. Smoke and mirrors. All you need is an email address-- it doesn't need to be a working email address or a full name.

SGarr · Answer

There is no verification process. I tested it. GMATClub has barriers against just anyone being able to post, but Poets & Quants does not. Why do u think consultants that have no presence elsewhere (like on gmatclub) are tops on that poetsandquants ranking?

marisalv · Answer

That is my experience too.

jamesstavros · Answer

So, that top 10 admissions consultant ranking is based on unvalidated reviews? I would be surprised because the website is owned by John Byrnes who is a journalist and the organizer of the CentreCourt MBA festivals. He has recruiters coming from big firms to London, NY etc. There's no way he'd risk his reputation with claims in that ranking article, if they are based on fake data.

rdaniel · Answer

It's paid advertisers....that's why. Why do you think MBA exchange and Fortuna are both in that ranking article AND featured cohosts of the CentreCourt festivals? Money talks.

SGarr · Answer

The top consultant ranking was written by John Byrne as marketing to put attention on his review system / get advertising . At the time he posted the ranking, there were only a handful of reviews for each consultant. A few fake reviews as data= world famous by PQ's standards. Making money off of unverified data can be a felony. I'm sure this is why Temple University announced last Friday that it has hired the law firm of Jones Day to investigate their mess, as ironically reported by John Byrne of poetsandquants in, "Fox Bows Out Of All U.S. News Rankings."

Heather Soderquist · Answer

Hello there, Yes! Poets&Quants does read and verify every single review on the consultant directory. The process to verify reviews is not automated - real people read each reviews and reach out to coaches, do internet searches, and verify IP addresses. It can take a day or so to find out we have a bunk review so we sometimes approve comments while we do our research if there are no major red flags. That said, I've seen less than four phony reviews in the two and a half years since launching the directory. Unfortunately, the review process is not perfect and we have to adapt our approval process when required.

The top ten highest reviewed consultants article was highlighting just that, a write up of consultants who have the most reviews and, in some cases, the most rave reviews. Those consultants and consulting firms did not pay for placement in that piece highlighting and encouraging reviews. If you want more information, email us. Like finding the right fit school, you need to find the right fit coach to help you along the way. And, yes, we absolutely want to drive traffic to this directory so you can compare options.

On CentreCourt, again, Yes! You should come. There's no better venue to learn about the programs you want to get into than to take in the content of the day before the meet and greet. Being able to ask questions of the admissions directors themselves, before you even apply, is really beneficial for finding your right fit school. Further, to be able to ask questions of the deans, sometimes even have a one-on-one when a dean stays for the full day, that's just unheard of access. Not only is the content exceptional, the school sponsors among the best of the best, but we choose landmark locations and have a lot of fun, too. So, please, come to one of the CentreCourt events, meet us, probe for a good fit school, and increase your chances of getting in.

If you have any other questions, feel free to reach out to any one of us at P&Q. Until then, best of luck!

rdaniel · Answer

I've received a lot of PMs on this topic. Apparently, there are a lot more fake reviews on the poetsandquants directory than four....the top 10 ranking is hypocrisy. John Byrne, the so called ethical whistle blower compiled the ranking article based on fluff.

Reviews,Rankings,Rep: Poetsandquants top 10 ranking, legit or fraud?

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