Auto-ding move?

[chewy06]

If you are talking to an admissions officer, is it an auto-ding move to start talking about their schools usnews ranking, eventho you're being very complimentary.

[n/a]

I actually talked to a girl from Hastings (not sure if she was on the admissions committee or not) about theirs cause I had heard a rumor that someone misfiled a form a few years ago which caused them to drop a good amount.

She didn't seem shocked and appalled that I would ask such a thing.  However, if you don't have an actual question or interest about the ranking calculation, something to that effect, I think talking about it would not be a wise move.

[chewy06]

We were talking about where the school was headed in the coming years (changes, etc.) , and their particular school had recently jumped up in the rankings.

[chewy06]

Alright, I was just worried I had just destroyed my chances by bringing up a taboo topic.