Product Description
Introduction from the Author

Throughout the years of my college career at the University of Vermont, I have not only seen my growth retrospectively, I have felt myself grow—in age and in experience. I had the most wonderful time as a freshman, sharing personal stories with new faces and barely-met acquaintances. It was a time for personal explorations amidst a plethora of curious “first-years.” Our pasts and our dreams poured out, often into the late night or early morning, while new thoughts and ideas flowed forth from our minds as we expressed our knowledge of books, classes, friendships.

Sophomore year was a difficult one for me—more so socially than academically. But talking with friends and professors assuaged my itch to transfer, and by spring semester, I was once again my normal self. I took classes that challenged me and made me immerse myself in books, but still made time for friends and occasional parties. Ultimately, it all culminated after final exams when I published an essay from one of my classes in a scholarly journal based out of India. I had discovered one of my newfound passions, post-colonial literature and theory, which has propelled me even further into critical and literary circles and given me a glimpse into the world of academia.

And now, as I wrap up another year, even better than the last, I prepare for my senior year and the prospects for graduate school—always aware of how far I have come from my beginnings. I truly believe that the University of Vermont has afforded me opportunities that I would not have received elsewhere. Despite my uncertainties in the beginning of my second year, I have no regrets about choosing this as my school—it has truly been a wonderful experience. And now, more than ever, I am undoubtedly more open, more accepting, more intelligent, and I have both my school and myself to thank for that.

Kevyn Jonas Lenfest, Author
University of Vermont
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Customer Reviews (8)

It's ok
I was hoping to find the different majors and programs that each of the schools have in this book, but was really disappointed. All it has is whether a school has good parking, good looking guys and girls or good food. The only interesting part is the community the school is located in. Otherwise it was a letdown.

Overall Good Guide
While there were some simple errors and some confusing statements from the contributing students, this book was very well written and helpful overall. It gives you an inside look (mostly from students) into the college's Greek life, drug scene, campus and off-campus housing, among other things. If you're looking for a general overview of the many California colleges, this is a great book to accomplish that.

(not actually a kid)
I have bought a lot of different books to help me to choose the right college for me. This book is so helpful, it has one of the main things I was looking for in a college guide: the most popular majors (which can tell you if the college specializes in the field you want to go into). It's very clear and tells you about almost everything you want to know from restaurants in the area to parking to housing to drug problems.

worth the money
this book really helped me decide which school to go to, it tells you about the stuff you care about...social scene and atmosphere! definitely worth a read.

California .... No Doubt About It!
After reading this guidebook, I am definitely going to school in California. I'm from NY, and my parents want me to go to an Ivy League school ... either Cornell or Dartmouth, but I'm DYING to go to either USC, UCLA, Berkeley, or hopefully, Stanford.

After reading this guidebook though, I felt like I spent 4 years on each campus ... each school is covered in dept, around 40 different schools in Cali, and it's really easy to read. I get good grades, but I'm not much of a reader ... but the way this book is laid out is so incredibly easy to read, that anyone can breeze through the book and fall in love with any college in California.

Be warned though, they talk about the good, the bad, and the ugly in this guide.

For example, USC is not in the safest part of town ... but if you're from NY, like me, you'll be OK.

I'm more interested in what the student body is going to be like then some dumb US news ranking ... after all, I'm most likely going to meet my life long friends at college, including my wife! I don't want her to be some uptight Ivy nerd ... I want a nice cinnamoned tan californian!

Thanks to College Prowler's Calfornia Colleges, I have seen the light!

... Read more

Book Description
A success in its first two editions and now revised and updated to include current medical and health-care information, this is the most comprehensive, contemporary, and readable health guide ever. It can help every reader lead a longer, stronger, and healthier life. Black-and-white and 4-color illustrations. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A handy all-purpose home medical reference
{Review written June 2005}

This is a handy all-purpose home medical companion, which is useful for reading up on various problems and conditions as you, your family and friends encounter them in life.

Want to read up on the various forms of arthritis ? It's in there.

Diabetes ? Menopause ? Sprains ? Bloody Noses ? Sleep disorders ? Various surgical procedures ? Ditto.

It's a good all purpose resource. My copy cost me $1 at a yard sale, and it's been worth every penny, many times over ... even though it's slowly become a little dated since it was first published.

It's recommended, and used copies can usually be found for a pittance.

mayo clinic heart book
Very informative.I suffer from PVC's and try to get my hands on as much info as possible.I found this book to be very helpful in my understanding more on this condition. ... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

I must admit, the University of Kentucky runs though my bloodstream like a fish. Nearly every person in my family that has gone to college has gone to UK, and I am no exception. However, I didn’t choose to go to UK; it sort of chose me. Many of the kids that attend UK have similar stories; it is definitely one of those big state schools whose main attraction is to local kids looking for in-state tuition.

Members of my family hold degrees from UK in engineering, political science, accounting, and now, finally, journalism (somebody had to be the creative one). There are many “true blue” fans out there that can’t see UK past its famous basketball or infamous football programs—UK is sort of a jock haven. However, believe it or not, there are nooks inside this giant institution that everyone can find a place to belong, even if they never catch Wildcat basketball fever.

UK has some wonderful things to be proud of—several top schools including pharmacy and medicine, award-winning music programs, and an outstanding sense of school pride. Wildcat fans aren’t just on campus or even in Lexington; they can be found statewide, nationwide, and even worldwide. One of the best things UK provided for me was the opportunity to study abroad in England for a semester. On a backpacking trip through Italy, I met another backpacker from New Mexico who happened to be wearing a UK baseball cap. I asked him if he was from Kentucky, and he said,” No, but I LOVE your basketball team!” Many people at UK eat, sleep, and breathe basketball. If you are one of these people, UK may very well be the school for you. If sports nuts get on your every last nerve, you might want to consider a different university.

I mentioned before that UK has been such an important part of my family history. The reality is that the school almost seems like a family member. You may not like everything about your Uncle Wally; he may get on your nerves sometimes, and you may wonder how in the world you share the same genetics, but the fact is that he is in your family and you love him either way.

It is my prayer for you that this book will help you decide the correct path for your future. Consider your interests and follow your heart. If it happens to lead you to Lexington, tell everyone I said hello.

Rock on.

Mandy Langston, Author
University of Kentucky
... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

Coming from the northwest corner of the United States, people are often befuddled when I tell them I go to Northwestern University. “Is that in Seattle?” they ask. Apparently, word hasn’t reached Portland, Oregon yet about this ever-demanding, challenging, and intriguing school in suburban Chicago.

Most people already know—or think they know—about Northwestern: fairly small school, right outside of Chicago, excellent academic reputation … and, “Didn’t Ross from Friends go there?” True, but to those on the inside, NU is so much more. It’s a diverse school boasting six sub-schools that concentrate on everything from education to music to engineering. It’s a campus open to discussing all aspects of contemporary global problems, and it’s also our home.

Northwestern is often referred to as a jewel of the Midwest, and in the last 30 or so years, it has gained recognition as a leading research institution. The University has been entrenched in scandal over the death of a football player, and it has gotten into a lawsuit with the city of Evanston.

Behind the news and magazine articles, behind the historic legacies, and behind the campus tours, there is a throbbing pulse to Northwestern. As you leaf through the following pages, I hope you begin to discover the Northwestern that myself and my classmates all know: the living, ever-changing University, that is in a constant struggle to one-up itself and come out on top. You too can find the heartbeat of NU. You just have to be willing to feel for it. You can start by reading through this guidebook.

Torea Frey, Author
Northwestern University
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Customer Reviews (1)

inside scoop
College Prowler books are well worth the investment for students and parents investigating colleges.They give a detailed picture of the school, written from current students' perspectives.Once you have narrowed your list of schools to 10 or fewer, I would recommend buying the College Prowler titles for all of those.It's a small investment compared to the cost of visiting the campus, application fees, and -- of course -- TUITION!
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Product Description
Introduction from the Author

When I set foot on the University at Albany’s campus on my first move-in day freshman year, I was scared, excited, nervous, and a bit intimidated by the massive amounts of cement that formed the giant buildings. As I waited in line for my turn on the elevator, I asked myself several questions. Did I make the right decision? Was this the school for me? Was I going to be happy here?

Well here I am, four years later and a graduate from the University at Albany. I couldn’t have imagined myself at a different university. Of course, I faced many challenges and obstacles while attending Albany, but without those challenges, I wouldn’t have become the person I am today.

The University at Albany prides itself on the ability to educate students on a plethora of subjects. Students not only learn from a classroom environment, but also from career and life experiences. They urge students to become active participants in the community and to make a difference in every opportunity they have. The school is diverse in its student population, as well as in the extracurricular activities it offers. Special programs like study abroad and Project Renaissance add to the unique educational experience. As a state school, Albany offers excellent education at a low cost. With the price of tuition rising nationwide, more and more college-bound students are heading to top state schools.

Choosing a school is difficult for any college-bound student. No matter how much information you have on a college, it’s still quite complicated to make such a life-altering decision. Hopefully, this book can help show you what Albany is really like, and help you decide if it is the right place for you.

Jessica Joseph, Author
University at Albany
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Book Description
Introduction from the Author

If you are looking for a school where you will be valued as an individual, yet part of a greater community, you should look at the University of Puget Sound. It is truly a unique institution that will challenge you, forcing you to grow both academically and personally. Students and faculty enjoy a symbiotic relationship, allowing no assumption to go unquestioned in academic conversation and challenge each other to meet the highest standards of citizens in a global community.

Puget Sound's location in the north end of Tacoma provides an awesome college environment. The quiet residential neighborhood that surrounds the ivy-covered campus ensures a safe atmosphere for students day and night. On the other hand, downtown Tacoma, just a short walk or bus ride away, offers all of the amenities of a city of 200,000 including restaurants representing cuisines from around the world, a waterfront area with shopping and dining, theaters, and cultural museums. The beautiful Northwest offers great outdoor escapes from academia like nearby Point Defiance and Mount Rainier.

Academically, Puget Sound has several significant attributes that set it apart from other colleges and universities. With a population of over 2,500 students, Puget Sound is a unique size for a liberal arts college, exceeding the national average by 1,000 students. This enables the University to offer additional academic programs and bring more engaging and well-known guest speakers to campus. In fact, UPS offers 1,200 unique courses a year such as Islam and its Contexts (Politics and Government), Tourism and the Global Order (Comparative Sociology) and Mars Exploration (Science in Context). Students at UPS can choose from over 40 majors—a very high number for a school of its size. And for the driven student who wants to combine even more academic disciplines into a degree, a special interdisciplinary major is an option.

I hope this collection of student opinions will be of assistance to you in your college application and decision process. While no book can do justice to the unique community and academic environment found at Puget Sound, hopefully it can paint a clearer picture for you.

Russell Knight, Author
University of Puget Sound ... Read more

Book Description
This is the only guide that contains information on every accredited college in the U.S.2,000 four-year colleges and universities, and 1,600 two-year community colleges and technical schools. The College Handbook is also the fastest, easiest way for students to narrow their college searches and zero in on the schools that are right for them. More than 40 indexes speed students straight to schools that interest them, and entries are clearly laid out, making it easy to compare schools. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Superb Resource
This resource provided a great overview of colleges and universities in each state.We were able to quickly compare SAT scores, student population, majors, type of campus, etc.My son, a high school junior, found the information clear and concise.Especially helpful was the information regarding test requirements--SAT, subject tests, high school credits in specific areas.I'd highly recommend this book for prospective college students and their parents.

The best college reference guide for students!
I have found this book extremely helpful and have ordered it for all three of my children. It lists over 2,000 4 year colleges, 1,600 2-year colleges by state, Early decision and early action table, wait list table, college majors, colleges for men & women, religion, and school size. There is also a table for student applicants admitted, SAT subject test score range and a breakdown of colleges by NCAA sports by division. The high school guidance departments use this book to view colleges pertaining to student's interests. I would recommend purchasing this book first as a guide and then once you have made your list go to the web site of the colleges you have chosen and/or plan a visit to the school. I have also purchased the list of books "Customers who bought this item also bought" and still rate this book #1.

How is this Helpful?
This is one of the worst college resources out of the hundreds already in print.The book does little more than list the general statistics of the thousands of colleges in the United States, making it the size of a phone book.The text offers little insight into the character of the school and leaves a college bound student even more confused than before.All this information and more can be found at the collegeboard website(for free), where it is much easier to navigate.This resource may be helpful for a counselor, but is useless for an individual student. ... Read more

Book Description
Despite rising costs and intimidating forms, college can be affordable for everyone who understands the options. This book provides that understanding to students and parents by combining simple and practical explanations of the financial aid process with the money facts about 3,000 two-year and four-year colleges to help them make the right choices. The all-new Guide to Getting Financial Aid 2007 provides easy-to-understand answers for all the questions students and parents have about paying for college. Included inside are: a planning calendar showing key financial aid application deadlines. worksheets to estimate how much aid you will get. tips on how to take the bite out of college costs. step-by-step guides to filling out the FAFSA and other financial aid forms. guidelines for comparing award letters from colleges and making appeals for more aid. indexes to help you find colleges that offer merit scholarships for your interests and talents. profiles of more than 3,000 colleges, universities, and technical schools, showing the sticker price for tuition and costs, and what you can expect to pay. ... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

Admitting I go to Duke is sometimes hard—, not because I’m ashamed of my school, but because I’m aware of the many naïve people who seem to have no idea what a great university it is. Many know it’s in the East, but it’s a rare person who can place it in North Carolina. Those who are familiar with Duke most often have been touched by its greatest emissary: basketball. “Duke? You don’t look tall enough to play basketball!” Yeah, that one wears on you after a while. These people should be informed that (at Duke) there is, in fact, life outside of March, and not every Duke student affiliates him or herself with the Cameron Crazies. I must admit, though, that I have come to love joining everyone in the dorm commons room for all the away games. A note to readers: prior to enrolling at Duke University, I never sat through a whole basketball game.

Sports fanatic or not, Duke can and will meet your needs in all aspects of the college experience. In a national college poll, Duke was ranked number four in overall academics, just behind Princeton, Harvard, and Yale, and tied with Stanford. So, it’s safe to say that Duke’s keeping some pretty good company academically. Even more so, the University is fun, laid-back, and deeply entwined in its Southern roots. I was raised in the South, and I’d been longing to go back for a long time. Now, don’t get me wrong—Duke is an internationally diverse campus. People come from all over the world, and this diversity is a cherished part of the Duke community. However, the weather, the accents, and the easy-going attitudes proclaim that, though this school will continue to grow in many ways, it has yet to lose its roots.

Most of this you must already know. If you’re researching colleges, you’ve probably already come across rankings, descriptions of campus, and admissions and financial aid statistics. This book may give you a lot more of the same, but that is not exactly its aim. You will find more information about Duke than I ever knew existed before writing this book. There are some vital questions about everyday life answered here, and more importantly, a lot of student opinions have been revealed. So, it’s best to take what you can find. If you’re looking to spend the next four years of your life here, then you have every right to know how “real” Duke students feel about their school. This book will give you this information, and then some.

Good luck in your college hunting—and when the admissions letters come in, you should celebrate—and then feel free to thank College Prowler for making your decision that much easier.

Margaret Campbell, Author
Duke University
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Customer Reviews (1)

I don't know about the series as a whole, but . . .
Please do not waste your money on this pamplet.Even with a slight glance one can tell that it is a waste of paper and full of outdated and more often completely inaccurate information.In choosing colleges people use all sorts of bad information like rankings and athletic success, but don't use this book because for the most part it is wrong (on the facts) and downright misleading, as far as the quotes are concerned.Bottomline: The book couldn't be any worse. ... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

If you attend Binghamton, you better be prepared to carry a student directory with you wherever you go. Mention at a party in New York City that you attend Binghamton and someone is bound to drop the name of a friend’s sister’s best friend who goes there, and do you know them? Talk about your experiences at Binghamton during a job interview, and it’s “Oh yes, my cousin went there and loved it, and is that jerk still teaching chemistry?” I was once wearing a Binghamton T-shirt outside a Fort Lauderdale restaurant when a woman approached me, just to let me know that she and her husband also went to Binghamton, and how do I find it? It’s certainly reassuring to hear your school’s name mentioned with such affection over and over again, and it’s even more reassuring to know that the name dropping will only increase.

Binghamton continues to grow every year, expanding its reputation as a successful academic institution, as well as developing a competitive athletics program and a nationally-recognized graduate and research facility. Binghamton continually ranks as one of the nation’s best public institutions and a top value for undergraduate education. Binghamton also offers a nationally-ranked graduate program and highly competitive engineering and nursing schools.Furthermore, Binghamton will look to not only maintain, but also improve these rankings as it grows over the years. The school that was once respectably, but unoriginally, nicknamed the Harvard of the SUNY system is finally developing a personality of its own, and as Binghamton grows and becomes better known, its standing and value will only increase.

Yet the question that this book attempts to answer is not whether Binghamton is an excellent school, but rather if Binghamton is an excellent school for you. Even with all the information this book provides, getting the feel for a school’s true personality is a hard task, and choosing the right school among so many can prove overwhelmingly difficult. The goal is to explore your needs and options and make as educated a decision as possible. As for exploration, be it academically, personally, or socially, it is a major part of the college experience. If I can offer one piece of advice, it is to look for a school that not only matches your personality now, but also affords the most opportunities for exploration. I hope this book helps with your search and provides information on all the opportunities available for you at Binghamton University.

Scott Kutscher, Author
Binghamton University
... Read more

Product Description
College and University Textbook version. Microeconomics Textbook. Authored by Robin Wells and Paul Krugman. Softcover version. Over 600 pages of that info.Written in an informal colloquial style, this student-friendly Principles of Microeconomics textbook does not sacrifice intellectual depth in its quest for accessibility. The authors primary concern is to instill economic sensibility in the student. Colander emphasizes the intellectual and historical context to which the economic models are applied. The seventh edition has been significantly revised to make it simpler, shorter, more organized and more applicable to the real world. ... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

The University of Maryland, College Park ultimately became my number one choice of colleges to attend after graduating from Leonia High School in New Jersey. Aside from receiving mostly conditional offers of admission to other schools that I had applied to during the fall of my senior year, I decided Maryland was my best option. Thanks to Success Magazine, I had learned that Maryland’s business school was one of the top 25 in the country for entrepreneurs. This was the very thing that ultimately led me to select UMCP without even visiting the campus.

That was then, and boy was ‘then’ something. Now, UMCP is something else: it’s an institution that is better, stronger, and more impressive than ever before, while maintaining a certain special sense of tradition, family, and vision. Also, UMCP acts as the Flagship of the University System of Maryland and is making unbelievable headway in research, overall growth, and athletics.

In writing this guidebook, my goals are to inspire you to take a short journey into the minds and hearts of UMCP students and alumni, to evaluate and experience our University without even needing to visit the beautiful campus, its awesome facilities, or specific schools you may be considering, and to meet our cute but vicious terrapin mascot, Testudo, without even shaking his hand.

Then, upon realizing that UMCP may have that special something for you, I hope to motivate you to visit campus, speak to students, explore its facilities, and share the resources in this book with your family, friends, and roommates. If and when you decide to join the thousands of students already loving their lives at Maryland, consider sharing this guide with your Resident Assistant. Maryland RAs don’t know everything. Trust me on this one.

Jared Meyer, Author
University of Maryland
... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

My first experience living in New York City was when I moved into my NYU dorm and had no idea how to get anywhere. The week before classes started, I would wander the streets staring at my new surroundings, taking in every vendor, every boutique, every pigeon. At the end of each day, I came back to my new home with the sights of the city swirling through my head, and I was excited to be living and going to school in the heart of everything I’d seen. When I had applied to NYU, I was looking for such experiences. When I arrived here, I found them.

I’m still excited at the beginning of every semester, knowing that I will continue to live and study in New York. In fact, a big reason students come to NYU is that its urban location leaves room for endless learning, internship, and entertainment possibilities. New York City’s fast-paced, stylish environment draws many applications from all over the world. But while the initial allure of the school may be its desirable locale, when students arrive, they find out what it is to study in a truly diverse, intellectual atmosphere.

Coupled with New York University’s outstanding tradition of professors and academics is its notoriously ever-expanding nature. Each year, improvements are made to the University, as evidenced by the opening of the Palladium Residence Hall and facilities and the unveiling of the Kimmel Student Center, which provides a place for students to learn and study.

Whatever your reason for coming to NYU, know that it will be a thrilling journey if you take advantage of all the city and the University have to offer. This book’s purpose is to show you what is available at New York University so you can make the best informed decision possible and even find your own adventure.

Meredith Turley, Author
New York University
... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

It doesn’t take a weathered scholar to see that University of Central Florida has changed tremendously in the last four years. The campus has grown, the number of students has increased, and the reputation has improved. UCF is expanding everyday. I’m always amazed when I drive onto campus and see that a new building has gone up or another parking garage has been added. UCF is nicknamed “Under Construction Forever,” and for good reason.

Nearly 26,000 undergraduate students attend UCF. I believe that UCF has the means to be a powerhouse one day, not only in sports, but in research and knowledge as well.

I love UCF and am very happy that I chose to spend my college life/career here. I can’t imagine being anywhere else. Sure, at times I wondered what it would have been like if I had stayed up north, but I always fell back on my decision that UCF was right for me. When I first applied to UCF, I did so on a whim and never actually thought that I would go to a school that was in the shadow of recognizable universities such as Florida State in Tallahassee and Florida in Gainesville. However, my way of thinking has changed since then and I don’t believe UCF to be in anyone’s shadow. UCF can hold its own, and it’s steadily growing to achieve its status as a recognizable University in Florida. UCF is located in a metropolitan area with huge resources and tons of businesses surrounding the campus—what else could you want?

When talking to my friends who attend other universities, I love to brag about UCF. I can wear shorts and a tank top to school practically everyday! I can go to the beach after class and be back by night. UCF offers numerous activities and events that I can partake in, targeting all different groups of people with many different interests.

There’s a lot to consider when choosing which school is right for you. You will find both positive and negative facts and opinions about UCF in the following pages. I hope that you will find this information helpful when making your decision. You have a very exciting, busy, and important four years ahead of you. Let the students’ quotes provide you with insight into their perspectives involving UCF. After all, the students are the ones who would know. Come take a tour of the school and check it out for yourself; you never know what might attract you to a certain campus. Good luck!

Lily Barrish
University of Central Florida
... Read more

Product Description
Welcome to College Prowler®

During the writing of College Prowler’s guidebooks, we felt it was critical that our content was unbiased and unaffiliated with any college or university. We think it’s important that our readers get honest information and a realistic impression of the student opinions on any campus—that’s why if any aspect of a particular school is terrible, we (unlike a campus brochure) intend to publish it. While we do keep an eye out for the occasional extremist—the cheerleader or the cynic—we take pride in letting the students tell it like it is. We strive to create a book that’s as representative as possible of each particular campus. Our books cover both the good and the bad, and whether the survey responses point to recurring trends or a variation in opinion, these sentiments are directly and proportionally expressed through our guides.

College Prowler guidebooks are in the hands of students throughout the entire process of their creation. Because you can’t make student-written guides without the students, we have students at each campus who help write, randomly survey their peers, edit, layout, and perform accuracy checks on every book that we publish. From the very beginning, student writers gather the most up-to-date stats, facts, and inside information on their colleges. They fill each section with student quotes and summarize the findings in editorial reviews. In addition, each school receives a collection of letter grades (A through F) that reflect student opinion and help to represent contentment, prominence, or satisfaction for each of our 20 specific categories. Just as in grade school, the higher the mark the more content, more prominent, or more satisfied the students are with the particular category.

Once a book is written, additional students serve as editors and check for accuracy even more extensively. Our bounce-back team—a group of randomly selected students who have no involvement with the project—are asked to read over the material in order to help ensure that the book accurately expresses every aspect of the university and its students. This same process is applied to the 200-plus schools College Prowler currently covers. Each book is the result of endless student contributions, hundreds of pages of research and writing, and countless hours of hard work. All of this has led to the creation of a student information network that stretches across the nation to every school that we cover. It’s no easy accomplishment, but it’s the reason that our guides are such a great resource.

When reading our books and looking at our grades, keep in mind that every college is different and that the students who make up each school are not uniform—as a result, it is important to assess schools on a case-by-case basis. Because it’s impossible to summarize an entire school with a single number or description, each book provides a dialogue, not a decision, that’s made up of 20 different topics and hundreds of student quotes. In the end, we hope that this guide will serve as a valuable tool in your college selection process. Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
Introduction from the Author

When I began to look at colleges in my junior year of high school, I knew very little about the specific schools of the Northeast. Being from Tampa, Florida, large Northeast schools were something few of my classmates were considering and even fewer applied to. I knew the big cities were New York and Boston, so I started my search there. After a few months, one of my teachers, a Brown alumnus, suggested that I should check out Brown University in Providence, Rhode Island. Although I knew Brown was an Ivy League school, and was supposed to be academically impressive, I knew very little about the school and even less about Providence. But now, after four years here, I have become an expert on Brown and Providence.

As you head toward Brown on Interstate 95, first you may be struck by the quaint New England factory towns, and then Providence’s downtown emerges from the horizon. Getting lost in the maze of local one-way streets lined with historic houses and buildings is all part of the Providence experience. Providence’s self-proclaimed “Renaissance” features fresh paint and smooth roads that clash with winter torn streets and century-old houses that make up the historic east side neighborhoods around Brown.

Once you are on campus, you will see students swarming along the greens, the streets, and the sidewalks even on the bitterest days, rushing in and out of the Rockefeller Library until 2 a.m. Most people should be able to point you towards the admissions building, only two blocks away from the Rock, and will chat with you once you ask them for directions. Go on the tour first so you don’t miss anything wandering around by yourself, but do yourself a favor and don’t fully base your opinion of Brown on a one-hour rehearsed speech.

While the tour gives a digest of the University layout, you don’t really get to meet the students. If you really want to know the school, meet the students. That’s why I’ve written this book. Being a Brown student myself, my voice in this edition will help you know at least one Brown student’s view. In addition, and more importantly, the hours of transcribed interviews let you know what life on campus is really like. It will give you insight into how Brown students feel when it comes to the issues that most concern them. This book will give prospective students a sense for the school without ever stepping foot on campus. Also, if you come to visit Brown, it will help you get the most out of your trip.

Good luck and enjoy the read.

Matthew Kittay, Author
Brown University
... Read more

Book Description
How can a high school student find the perfect college for his or her interests, strengths, and personality? College Matchmaker, 2007 Edition is a comprehensive book of college lists designed to help students pinpoint their ideal colleges, and it’s produced by the same experts behind the top-selling Best 361 Colleges.

Surveying thousands of undergraduates to provide a microscopic level of detail, lists include everything from academics and dorms to the best places for hang gliding or studying animal nutrition. By consulting and cross-referencing lists, a student will be able to find that one perfect fit–for example, a liberal arts college with great study abroad opportunities, or a college offering a mythology major and a fantastic lacrosse team. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Lists almost any criteria a college applicant or parent might find important
Nearly three hundred original college lists, all compiled by the staff of The Princeton Review, lists almost any criteria a college applicant or parent might find important, from outstanding academic programs by major to schools with the highest percentages of students receiving financial aid, academic opportunities outside the classroom, and more. Any collection, whether it be high school or public lending library, catering to college-bound patrons needs this.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch ... Read more

Book Description
Introduction from the Author

HOOK `EM HORNS! I could not have picked a better school to spend my four years at than the University of Texas at Austin. I don't think that there is anyone on the planet who hasn't heard of the largest and most recognized university in the lone-star state. You will be hard-pressed to find a school with students and alumni who are prouder of their alma mater. We at UT Austin exemplify the legendary Mack Brown's challenge: "Come Early, Stay Late, Be Loud, Wear Orange." No problem.

The University of Texas at Austin is a premiere public institution, not only in the state of Texas, but nationwide. The University is one of only three southwestern members of the Association of American Universities, which is composed of the 63 leading research institutions in North America. We are the largest university in the country, and we are proud of it. And why wouldn't we be? We have top-ranked academics, the 2002 Sports Illustrated #1-ranked athletics program among all Division I Schools, hundreds of student organizations, a beautiful campus with state-of-the-art facilities, all rolled up into one of the greatest cities known to modern culture: the live music capital of the U.S.—Austin, Texas.

There was never any question in my mind as to what school I was going to apply to. I wavered a little on deciding where I was going to go, but once I got here, I didn't regret my decision for a second. Coming to UT was, without a doubt, the best choice I have ever made in my life (all 18 years of it!). I have never had more fun while learning so much among so many amazing professors and students. At Texas, you are surrounded by some of the greatest people youwill ever meet in your life. They say that the college years are the best years of your life. I say, "They're made so much better if you go to Texas."

However, some students at UT Austin don't feel the same way I do; the University, and the city of Austin, certainly has its drawbacks. Throughout the next 180 pages or so, hundreds of UT student opinions will be voiced and, be warned, not all students are as enthusiastic about their surroundings as I am.

To be certain, this guidebook probably will not be the deciding factor in whether or not you actually choose to attend school here. It will, however, serve as a director (or a tour guide, so to speak) of the inner-most workings of the University of Texas that you won't find in a school pamphlet or Web site. So, go on and read, learn, enjoy!

Erin Hall, Author
University of Texas at Austin ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

Pretty good info over all.
This book was very informative on the parts that I was wondering about.Some of it felt repetitive though.I still recommend this book to anybody that wants to go or wonders how it is to live at UT.Go Longhorns!!

Too Generic, Riddled with Mistakes
I went to school there and decided to take a peek at the book.They refer to the school as UTA at one point, which is the Arlington campus not the Austin campus. Sounded as if they used a lot of material from the internet and did not list any of the social intricacies I would have expected. Namely the lowdown on student orgs and such.

I'll just say that the experience you have at any school is far too dynamic to be defined or captured by a book. Especially a book that was written by outsiders. If you want the real lowdown, ask the orientation advisors when you get there. ... Read more

Book Description
Find the college thats right for you!

An A–Z of admissions secrets, The Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College takes you behind the scenes of the college application process. The expert advice and tips in this book will help you get accepted at the schools of your choice. This clear, accessible guide takes students and their parents step-by-step through the admissions process.

Learn:
--How to choose the right college
--How to get off a waiting list and get accepted
--How to write winning essays
--How to use the Internet in the application process
--How admissions officers really rank applicants
--How to interview successfully
--How to construct a successful application
--How to get the most financial aid
--And much more!

This is the best resource for helping students get into the schools of their choice.


Edward B. Fiske served for 17 years as Education Editor of The New York Times, during which time he realized that college-bound students and their families needed better information on which to base their educational choices. He wrote the bestselling annual, The Fiske Guide to Colleges, to help them.

Bruce G. Hammond was editor in chief of The Insiders Guide to the Colleges and was managing editor of four editions of The Fiske Guide to Colleges. He is the author of Discounts and Deals at the Nations 360 Best Colleges and is the school and college expert at Parent Soup, a division of iVillage.com.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (15)

over rated guide
This guide is more of the same. Basically tells you about the colleges you already know have good reputations-- ivys, and the ones just below them. Not helpful for kids who want to follow a non-liberal arts path. Not an in depth book, more just a glossary of colleges and universities. Big disappointment

Fiske Name attached
Good Purchase? - Would be a Great Purchase if More Majors were included. Sort of a back and forth college match up of information. I am not certain if I would have purchased this book - knowing what I know.
It does have the Fiske bits of helpful information!

Great beginning resource
We are just beginning our college search, and based upon prior reviews decided to purchase this book.While I am not sure if I concur with the opinion of the author on how he categorizes certain schools, most of what is written is informative and actually, written in an entertaining way.Many of the other books on the subject are 100s of pages of statistics, in contrast, Fiske provides detailed information and resources in which to expand your search, while making the read entertaining.

For those just beginning the search, this is an invaluable book, cleverly written and informative.I would recommend it as well as other Fiske books on the subject.

Extremely reassuring, keeps you from getting overwhelmed
I am finding this book very helpful in my college search. It is written fairly colloquially, which makes it easy to get excited about reading it. It provides "insider info" about college ratings, admissions, and searches, giving you the "big picture" and encouraging students to find a college that is a good match. Before I read it, I was uncertain/confused about "this whole college thing" and got overwhelmed often. The thoroughness of the book is helping me stay calm and feel confident, because it dispels the mystery behind every facet of the college search. I would recommend it to any college-bound student.

Walking you through the process
Of all the books read about the admissions process, and believe me I've read them all, the "Fiske Guide to Getting into the Right College" is the bench mark.It takes you step by step though the admissions process. It gives insight into how things work, what to look for, it explains finiancial aid packages, and points out the advantages both of small liberal arts colleges and of large universities. But what really separates this book from the others, is that in addition to expaining everything about the college selection process, it helps you to determine what you want in a school. The title sums it up best, it's about choosing the the school that is right for you. ... Read more