High school seniors may think they want to go to the 'Most Politically Active' college and avoid 'Dorms like Dungeons,' but a recent study shows these reviews don't matter after freshman orientation.

A study conducted by the New York Times Magazine and mtvU, published Sept. 30, showed that the Princeton Review and the U.S. News & World Report college rankings lose their significance once the college experience begins.

The study found that 85 percent of University of Pennsylvania graduates, as well as 72 percent of those from the University of Michigan, said their schools' rankings in the U.S. News & World Report were "somewhat" or "very" important when they were initially choosing schools.

Years later though, more than one-third said these rankings are not as important to them as they were in high school.

"There is no direct relationship between the reports and the amount of applicants the university receives," said Anne Rohrbach, Penn State interim executive director of undergraduate admissions. "It is one of many ways that students make their decisions about schools."

Vince Edwards (freshman-mechanical engineering) said he used the Princeton Review to look at party schools.

Penn State's drop from the No. 2 slot to No. 6 this year, however, did not discourage other incoming students also looking for the party school image.

"As long as we're in the top 10, it's good enough for me," Greg Lusas (freshman- communications) said.

Rohrbach said the rankings may serve as a starting point for some students, but that there are many other factors involved in choosing a school.

The New York Times survey, conducted in June, consisted of telephone interviews of 271 college graduates under the age of 30 and 1,300 online surveys, mostly from the 2002 graduates of the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Michigan and Reed College.

Regardless of their schools' rankings, 93 percent of those polled rated their college experience as "excellent" or "good" and close to nine in 10 students reported that they felt college was worth the money they put into it.

Jenna Kelleher (senior-hotel, restaurant, and institutional management) said the most important thing she would walk away with could not be found on a list.

"I would definitely say my friends have been the most important thing," she said.

"The friends I have made throughout these four years are people that will be in my life forever."

For many, college is a time of independence and growth -- categories that don't accompany 'diverse student population' and 'jock school' on the national rankings.

"I've learned a lot about myself being here," Megan Luteran (senior- communication sciences and disorders) said.

"I've figured out how I work best, with people and with studying."