Kaplan Test Prep issued the following statement today regarding how students should view the U.S. News & World Report's 2014 college rankings that were just released today:

"The U.S. News & World Report college rankings, long a trusted companion for students going through the college admissions process, can be helpful as an aggregate source of data around different factors such as student population, academic life and other considerations. The statistics behind the rankings can offer useful insights. For example, a school's freshmen retention rate can be a good indicator of whether current students are happy at that school and a school's financial aid profile can indicate its likelihood of offering need- or merit-based aid. That said, a school's actual rank is probably more important to administrators and alumni than it is to the average college applicant.

"Our advice to students is not to focus on where a college falls in the rankings. Just because it's a familiar, prestigious name doesn't mean it's necessarily a good match. Instead, they should find schools that have the academic programs and social environment that create the best overall 'fit' for their academic, financial and lifestyle needs."

To arrange an interview with a Kaplan Test Prep college admissions expert, please contact Russell Schaffer at russell.schaffer@kaplan.com or 212.453.7538.

About Kaplan Test Prep

Kaplan Test Prep (www.kaptest.com) is a premier provider of educational and career services for individuals, schools and businesses. Established in 1938, Kaplan is the world leader in the test prep industry. With a comprehensive menu of online offerings as well as a complete array of print books and digital products, Kaplan offers preparation for more than 90 standardized tests, including entrance exams for secondary school, college and graduate school, as well as professional licensing exams for attorneys, physicians and nurses. Kaplan also provides private tutoring and graduate admissions consulting services.

Note to editors: Kaplan is a subsidiary of The Washington Post Company (NYSE:WPO)

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