Although it’s title sounds important - the publishers did borrow its name from an Ivy League school after all - The Princeton Review’s 2003 “The Best 345 Colleges” is a joke and a waste of $20.

Every year, the New York-based company - not affiliated with the university, mind you - ranks schools on everything from worst cafeteria to most read student newspaper.

Based on online student survey results, this year MSU was ranked the No. 12 party school in the nation, after two years of failing to make the list. Two years ago - the year after the March 27-28, 1999, riot - MSU earned the No. 3 spot.

In past years, The Princeton Review also has ranked MSU in “Teaching Assistants teach too many upper-level courses,” “Students pack the stadium,” “Great college newspaper,” “Major frat and sorority scene” and “Jock school.” The review also amusingly ranks colleges in how much “Professors suck all life from materials.”

But this survey is hardly accurate. Online polls do not provide scientific results; after all what student isn’t going to say the parties at his or her school rock?

This survey is more like a high-school mock election than the guide to colleges it’s sold as being.

The review could gain some credibility by having real research back it up.

Instead of polling students online, researchers could actually track sales at liquor stores and bars, alcohol violations - minor in possession and driving under the influence - and noise violations.

Until that happens, students and parents need to realize the only thing this guide is good for is a few laughs.