How Far Back To Placement Rates Cease To Matter?

[jlaser]

For example, if students of the program were placing into schools like UPenn, USC, Brown, Uchicago from 2004-2010, should that even be considered as part of the placement rate? Or do only the last 3-5 years count as an indicator of the kind of schools the program places into? 

[purplepepper]

I was asking an investor friend some general question about stock market trends the other day, to which he replied, "historical precedent went out the window a long time ago." 

I think it's safe to assume the same thing for placement statistics.

Those statistics don't really tell you much anyway. Historically strong programs go through ups and downs, as does everything in life. So, if it were me, I'd take it with a grain of salt. Especially if you are looking at anything that's more than just a couple years old.

 

[juilletmercredi]

Personally, I'd consider about 7-10 years out to still be relevant. Because of tenure, academic departments are slower to change than many other institutions.

If you're observing that from 2004-2010 graduates were placing into top departments but then - suddenly or gradually - after 2010 the prestige of those placements started to decline...that's data. Something changed.