The University of Chicago’s Pritzker School of Medicine on Thursday joined a growing list of elite schools that have dropped out of US News & World Report’s ranking of medical schools.
In a letter to US News, Dr. Mark Anderson, dean of Pritzker, cited methodological and fairness concerns, asking US News to summon stakeholders — including school applicants. medical students, current medical students, and other medical schools — to determine better ways to evaluate schools and report on what matters to applicants.
The series of medical schools that decided to decline the ranking program by no longer submitting data began with Harvard Medical School, which announced its decision on January 17. This was followed by Stanford University School of Medicine, School of Medicine. Perelman Medicine of the University of Pennsylvania, the Vagelos College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, and now the University of Chicago’s medical school.
To date, organizations such as Stanford University School of Medicine and the Icahn School of Medicine have emphasized that their health systems are still participating in US News’ “Best Hospitals” ranking, as the list uses different methods.
However, Mount Sinai said it plans to reevaluate participation in other US News rankings over time, and others may follow.
Despite consistently high on the list—Harvard Medical School is ranked #1 for research—universities have expressed a desire to be judged on broader criteria, including diversity. student diversity, commitment to social justice, research achievement, social impact, and student and faculty values. They argue that those factors are a more accurate and fair way for prospective students to rate colleges.
“The US News rankings reduce us to a single number that does not properly appreciate these all-important attributes, instead maintaining a narrow focus on achievement tied to reputation and driven by heritage and privilege,” Dr. Dennis Charney and Dr. David Muller, dean at the Icahn School of Medicine in a press release.
The ranking is based on a number of factors, including student test scores, graduation rates and debt levels, as well as faculty salaries and per-student spending, which critics say is affected. heavily influenced by the school’s wealth.
The university’s principals, deans, and deans of admissions also rate the academic quality of their peer schools in a survey as part of the rankings.
US News’ mission is to help millions of students looking at medical school rankings make informed decisions by providing data and solutions, Eric Gertler, the company’s CEO and executive chairman, said in a statement. published a response to Harvard’s decision.
“We know that comparing diverse academic institutions on a common data set is challenging, and that is why we have always stated that rankings should be one component of the overall data set,” he said. decision-making process of prospective students.
A key consideration for medical schools when considering whether to enter the rankings is how it will affect their image.
Holly Humphrey, president of the Josiah Macy Jr. Foundation, which funds the advancement of medical education and training, said the rankings capture the attention of applicants and their families. but they are not directly related to the school’s ability to produce a good doctor. experts.
“The most important way for one to understand the educational process in school is through the many data sources and the many ways an individual communicates with an organization,” she said. “Experience speaking with faculty, students, and individuals who have been patients.”
Similarly, a school’s reputation, separate from its ranking, is another way schools can market themselves to prospective students, says Stephen Greyser, a marketing professor at Harvard Business School. .
“Rather than relying on rankings,” says Greyser, medical schools should tout the successes and accomplishments of alumni, residents, and interns, which can spread through word of mouth or effective advertising. targeted in popular magazines or other websites”.
Overall, a ranked list is unlikely to capture how complex a particular medical school is suitable for any student, regardless of method, said George Daley, dean of Harvard Medical School. know in a press release.
“Rankings create the wrong incentives for organizations to report misleading or inaccurate data, setting policies to boost rankings rather than lofty goals or shifting support,” said Daley. from students with financial need to students with high scores to maximize the ranking criteria. .
Dr. Lloyd Minor, the school’s principal, said that to help students better assess their options, the Stanford School of Medicine plans to begin independently reporting its own performance data starting on March 1. Data will include faculty achievements and impact in education, research, and patient care.
“Our decision, along with that of an increasing number of peer institutions, is necessary to conduct a longstanding examination of how the quality of medical education is assessed and presented to students with aspiration,” Minor said.
