问答题 On August 18th U.S. News＆ World Report released its 2009 rankings of America's top colleges. The survey began in 1983 as an informal poll, when the magazine asked 662 college presidents to identify the country's best places of learning. It has since evolved into an annual trial for reputable universities. A strong showing in the rankings spurs student interest and alumni (校友) giving; a slip has grave consequences for public relations. University administrators deeply dislike the survey. Many reject the idea that schools can be stacked up against one another in any meaningful way. But whether the rankings are fair is beside the point, because they are widely influential. In the 1983 survey barely half of the presidents approached bothered to respond. Today, only a handful dare ignore it. Most, in fact, do more than simply fill out the survey. Competition between colleges for top students is increasing, partly because of the very popularity of rankings.