2008 Woodie Awards
Video related to this article is available below.Issue date: 2/12/08 Section: News
Schools get their say in rankings
Colleges choose who is asked to fill out Princeton Review surveys
Alyssa Schwenk
The Princeton Review's Best 366 Colleges: 2008 Edition aims to dish out the real deal with information from actual students - but schools have some say over which students fill out the surveys used to compile the book.
This year, the Admissions Office asked members of the Kite and Key Society, a volunteer group of undergraduates who serve as ambassadors to the Penn community through tour guiding, overnight hosting and other outreach programs, to fill out the questionnaire.
The Princeton Review uses an 80-question survey to evaluate quality of life for students at many schools across the country. It sends a link to an online survey - available year-round on the Princeton Review Web site - to admissions offices once every three years to encourage students to complete the survey so the book contains current responses.
And then, "it's upon the school to ensure a random sample," said Jen Adams, the student survey manager for Princeton Review. "It's an honor policy."
The decision to send the survey to Kite and Key members was made because of time constraints and the Admissions Office's access to the listserv, interim Dean of Admissions Eric Kaplan wrote in an e-mail.
"We expected that Kite and Key members would complete the survey and also would forward the link to other Penn students," he added.
In an e-mail inviting Kite and Key members to fill out the survey, Jordan Pascucci, coordinator of on-campus programs for the admissions office, wrote, "As tour guides and ambassadors you will be able to convey your enthusiasm and positive Penn experiences and I trust that you will be in touch with me if you have any questions."
The e-mail did not encourage Kite and Key members to forward the survey to other students, although a link to the questionnaire can be e-mailed upon its completion.
"I think they figured that tour guides and ambassadors would be enthusiastic about Penn anyways," said College junior Daniel Lustig, the president of Kite and Key.
This year, the Admissions Office asked members of the Kite and Key Society, a volunteer group of undergraduates who serve as ambassadors to the Penn community through tour guiding, overnight hosting and other outreach programs, to fill out the questionnaire.
The Princeton Review uses an 80-question survey to evaluate quality of life for students at many schools across the country. It sends a link to an online survey - available year-round on the Princeton Review Web site - to admissions offices once every three years to encourage students to complete the survey so the book contains current responses.
And then, "it's upon the school to ensure a random sample," said Jen Adams, the student survey manager for Princeton Review. "It's an honor policy."
The decision to send the survey to Kite and Key members was made because of time constraints and the Admissions Office's access to the listserv, interim Dean of Admissions Eric Kaplan wrote in an e-mail.
"We expected that Kite and Key members would complete the survey and also would forward the link to other Penn students," he added.
In an e-mail inviting Kite and Key members to fill out the survey, Jordan Pascucci, coordinator of on-campus programs for the admissions office, wrote, "As tour guides and ambassadors you will be able to convey your enthusiasm and positive Penn experiences and I trust that you will be in touch with me if you have any questions."
The e-mail did not encourage Kite and Key members to forward the survey to other students, although a link to the questionnaire can be e-mailed upon its completion.
"I think they figured that tour guides and ambassadors would be enthusiastic about Penn anyways," said College junior Daniel Lustig, the president of Kite and Key.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
JJ Man
posted 2/12/08 @ 2:07 PM EST
I saw Karl Rove visited campus. I didn't know he was an advisor on how to spin surveys though.
Penn student
posted 2/12/08 @ 10:51 PM EST
Hopefully the Princeton Review will have the balls to put an asterisk next to any Penn survey results.
Disgusting
posted 2/12/08 @ 11:41 PM EST
Why is this Kaplan fellow not calling this the ridiculous garbage it is and speaking about it as if it were a legitimate move?
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