This is why it is really just Harvard (likely Stanford, Yale, and Princeton too, but definitely Harvard) that can make a statement boycotting the list, just like a billionaire can get away with wearing a plastic $10 watch but mere millionaires feel the need to wear a Rolex to show off their money. In fact, it wouldn't surprise me if Harvard did the least to game the US News metrics of any top 25 university, because the US News staff would just tweak their formula to keep Harvard in the top 5 regardless.

Harvard doesn't need to game the rankings because Harvard grads own the friggin' board. The rankings will fall in line accordingly.