They're volatile subjects, because, in a nutshell, people aren't getting admitted to med schools in their respective states.
For those of us in those states, we get to look up to these supposed "rankings" as if they're some crown jewel of respect and entitlement, when they're nearly unattainable for 99% of the premed community, but in many cases, comprise the majority of our options for in state admissions.
Take me, for instance. I get free tuition at public California universities because of veteran's benefits, and not in any other state. I could potentially save hundreds of thousands of dollars by attending a University of California medical school.
Instead, I get to run the rat race with everyone else in this state, and if I don't get in, face going into debt for an SMP, or going somewhere else.
It doesn't help that I go to UCLA, and this place is swamped with premeds. I interviewed for a position on a VOLUNTEER team at the local hospital, called the "Stroke Force," which is a few clicks below -- in terms of difficulty -- anything I've ever done in the hospital, and guess what? There were 200 people applying for 4 spots.
These rankings make me mad, truth be told. Sure, the schools are good and the education is second to none, but in many instances, these schools aren't helping California residents get MDs who actually want to practice here. I'd like to practice in Northern California, eventually, and work with native hispanic populations. Do you think that matters when you're applying to UCSF?
It's a rat race.
