I’ve been adjuncting a while now, so I know what it’s like on the other side. I know TT jobs are hard to find, but I also know that there are plenty of profs who have a good solid career without being from the top programs. And I’ve served on a search committee, so I know it’s not about where you go as much as if your specialty and your approach fit in with the needs and the culture of wherever you’re applying. I’m not looking to teach at a top program. Not that I wouldn’t apply, but I’d be happy to teach just about anywhere as long as I can have a decent paycheck and a good work-life-writing balance. In all my college and grad school education and teaching, I’ve never heard anyone talk about ranking of programs as something that really mattered. I just want to find a place that will teach me what I need to know, empower me to write what I need to write, and land a job with a livable wage.