What's a "Good School," Anyway?

by Leigh Moore

February 7, 2025

A lot of us want families to ignore rankings when making college decisions. For those who are willing to do so, where do we direct their attention instead?

Specifically, where can one find evidence of academic excellence--of scholarship, mentorship, and research--if we dispense with the notion that admit rates are a proxy for academic rigor?

My college counseling practice was grounded in the pursuit of truth over hype, so I sought evidence to put in front of families. Where should we look for proof that an institution is, indeed, a good school? Answering that question requires a little creativity, patience, and reflection.

I offer one niche-y set of data: Fulbright Scholars from the latest reporting year (2023). Over 1000 undergrads receive Fulbright awards each year, so it's a helpful data set which shines a light on some schools which might go unnoticed otherwise.

It seems like I need to add a disclaimer or two, but I respect my readers enough to dispense with that. This is meant to be just another cool tool in the toolbox.