I punch a unicorn every time I read an online post or hear someone say that they graduated from a "top-tiered" / "top-ten" / "nationally ranked" MLIS school. Adding a superlative before 'MLIS school' creates an oxymoron. Don't even get me started on the "U.S. News and World Report College Rankings." It's like the Hallmark-Holidays for magazines, people only think it's a big deal because they're told to.
Nearing the end of my illustrious MLIS student career, I have come to believe that every MLIS program out there is perfectly equal with the next. Honestly, what resources does your school offer that mine doesn't? What do you think, you have better books than other schools? We all use the same databases, so we're using the same crappy journal articles for our school busy work. Okay, one might argue that their school has the 'Dream Team' of MLIS professors, but unless they teach some MARC secrets that no one else knows about that does not count for much.
Still not convinced? If two statistically and demographically equal MLIS grads applied for the same position, do you really think that library HR would be more inclined to hire the one who graduated from 'the Harvard of MLIS schools?'
LHR: "OMG, this person went to the #1 ranked library school in the Western Hemisphere! We have to hire them before the neighboring library system offers them more money! They would definitely be better schooled to answer patron questions on where the bathrooms are and how to deal with paper jams."
When it comes to ranking MLIS schools, don't believe the hype...
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