@Paul: Thanks for stopping by the blog! You offer an interesting perspective on a complicated issue.

@Kim: I agree, wholeheartedly. College admissions is a game of both objective and subjective criteria and going on objective criteria alone will inevitably lead to disaster.

@Michael: Very good points. Like, props.

I’ll be doing another post on this topic soon.

I’m not convinced you understood entirely what I was saying. I agree with Rick; the “brand” concept certainly exists, for better or worse. You do not seem to quite understand what you are arguing against, and a solid, objective definition of “brand” would help us both. I believe “brand” is the perception that a college is more classy or worth more than another.

In any case, I advise all of my peers to avoid questionnaires at ALL times, as they are often skewed or inapplicable. No other person, group, or company can tell any individual what he or she is best at.

RPI gives me the impression of thinking it’s a much better school than it actually is.

I’m afraid I disagree with you about the brand. The brand is what suckers every student into believing that without it, you’re somehow second rate. Teachers, friends and family are co-conspirators in the process. Focus on what schools fit what you’re looking to study, and if you have a problem in not knowing what you want to study, I suggest you look at this website: http://www.about-u.com

To take the assessment will help you discover what really motivates you, what your needs are, and what environments you are most effective in. Otherwise, you’re walking into a college blind, with the hope that you’ll discover something you like without being part of the 60% of students who will take 5 to 6 years to graduate, still searching and wondering if they took the right major.

I reqwuire all my students to take the assessment before I even discuss college.

Hope this helps.

Good luck.