This week's column is devoted to a very big deal. This is an issue that you all must know about. I don't see how you possibly couldn't. In the spirit of competition, egotism and all else wonderful we Brandeisians represent, you certainly should've spent time poring over the army of magazines that gain fame from their very important lists. These are lists that matter. These are the lists that rank America's universities.Forget that most prospective students prefer to evaluate the character of a school rather than its ranking. Forget the fact that the numbers fluctuate yearly. These rankings are clearly significant. Without knowing our place in the grand scheme of national schools, how can we tell if our experience matches up to those of other colleges? Certainly, the "big three" Ivy Leaguers bear a standard of perfection worth vying for. That's what everyone says, right? Just look at the top of the U.S. News list. Harvard, Princeton and Yale consistently secure those places. And of course, Brandeis proudly holds spot number --

Thirty-one!?

Well. That's pretty far down the list, Brandeis. What a shame.

And Forbes' report isn't much better; we're at a mere 30 on its list. Fortunately, there is a way to remedy this travesty. It'll be tough, but if everyone chips in, we can jump ranks at a fantastic pace and secure the spot we all know we deserve.

We'll need the help of our entire student body. Forbes wisely incorporated a brand new method of calculating its rankings this year. Using the Web site ratemyprofessors.com, as suggested by Prof. Richard Vedder of Ohio University's economics department, Forbes devised a way to measure students' satisfaction via faculty. "We just assumed there was a generalized use of [the Web site]," said Vedder.

The problem with this brilliant system is that not enough students go along. The site is not extraordinarily well-known, and the reviews posted on it are written by students either thrilled or immensely displeased with their professors.

How scientifically apt.

So, to bump up Brandeis, everyone must start rating. Never heard of the Web site? Well, neither did many Dartmouth students, and their lack of response to postings brought Dartmouth's rank down to 127. Needless to say, they're unhappy. We mustn't let that happen to us! So let's all get on that. We can't allow this vital report to lack the data it's trying so hard to find. In fact, in its quest for reliable data, Forbes asks the administrators of each college to rank other colleges.

"While it's subjective, the peer-assessment portion gives weight to an unfortunate but important factor in the college world: reputation," writes the Daily Pennsylvanian's editorial board.

So let's bear that in mind as well. In determining which institution to attend, it's crucial, naturally, to note how it compares statistically on a piece of paper. Clearly, these list-publishing magazines have developed a way to assess the happiness and positive atmosphere of a school numerically.

Thus, we have an explanation as to why these lists matter. Firmly based in valid data, college rankings give society a wonderful resource for determining the right place for every student.

Always remember not to let it take a toll on your ego-no matter if you're a No. 1 student (Harvard) or a No. 80 student (Colorado School of Mines), you'll find the college that suits you best.

And let's step it up a notch, Brandeis. Knowing that reputation plays a key role in your peer administrator evaluations, we've got to attract better than No. 30 students. Let's climb up that 2010 list! It's as simple as rating your professors.