What I read and reference
On the data and resources that shape admissions strategy — and why fit matters more than any ranking.
Families sometimes ask what shapes my thinking when it comes to admissions strategy. I regularly review institutional data and national reports to stay grounded in trends and context. Rankings can be helpful, but they are only one perspective. Fit, priorities, and long-term alignment matter much more than a number on a list.
Rankings as One Data Point
Each year, TIME publishes its World's Top Universities ranking, drawing on a range of academic and reputational indicators. It is a useful snapshot, but I read it the same way I read any ranking — as context, not conclusion.
TIME – World’s Top Universities 2026 →
The Common Data Set
The Common Data Set is a standardized report colleges publish each year that offers a transparent look at admissions criteria, academic profiles, and what institutions say they value in applicants. It is one of the most useful primary sources available to families doing serious research — and one of the least read.