Product Description

Now fully revised—the perennially popular guide to choosing the right college

Prospective college students and their parents have been relying on Loren Pope’s expertise since 1995, when he published the first edition of this indispensable guide. This new edition profiles 41 colleges—all of which outdo the Ivies and research universities in producing performers, not only among A students but also among those who get Bs and Cs. Contents include:

• Evaluations of each school’s program and “personality”
• Candid assessments by students, professors, and deans
• Information on the progress of graduates

This new edition not only revisits schools listed in previous volumes to give readers a comprehensive assessment, it also addresses such issues as homeschooling, learning disabilities, and single-sex education.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2773 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-25
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 320 pages

The New York Times
Smart and credible.

Review
Smart and credible. (The New York Times)

About the Author
Following years as an education journalist and college administrator, Loren Pope went on to found the College Placement Bureau, which helps families make informed choices about higher education. His books include The Right College and Looking Beyond the Ivy League.

Customer Reviews

College Management assistance
I felt that this book provided pretty general common knowledge information. It gave examples of people who's college experience had an impact on them, but did not increase my knowledge of making that match between applicants and colleges. This book did not satisfy my "need to know" about the college process.

Money not wasted
I used this book in our college search. The book is worth reading, if only for the additional college information that it offers. My daughter ended up at one of these colleges four years ago. I am very satisfied.

An Eye-Opening Book
I will always be grateful that someone recommended Loren Pope's book to me when my daughter was a high school sophomore. The book made such an impact on me that I remember where I was when I was reading it. (A soccer tournament in Lancaster, CA.) The book opened up an entirely new world for me because I had previously assumed that universities were superior to any pint-sized alternatives. It had never occurred me, my husband or daughter to consider liberal arts colleges.

Pope made an eloquent--and to me -- persuasive argument that liberal arts colleges are a wonderful choice for many students. I definitely don't think you should treat the 40 schools profiled as the only ones worth considering, but I would urge you to use the book to gain an appreciation of what small schools can offer.

My daughter just finished her freshman year at one of the 40 schools that's located in Pennsylvania and she had a marvelous experience. She liked ALL of her professors, she returned home bilingual (she's a Spanish major) and she made lots of friends. She brought five of them back home to San Diego during spring break.

After touring liberal arts colleges, my daughter ultimately didn't even want to apply to any University of California campuses. Liberal arts colleges, however, aren't cheap, which is why I set out to discover how we could afford a private school on a state school budget. Those efforts led me to write my own book, which was just released called The College Solution: A Guide for Everyone Looking for the Right School at the Right Price.

I think my book is a valuable supplement to Pope's book because it includes concrete advice on how you can slash the cost of private schools with high sticker prices. As I learned through my research as a financial journalist, the prices are meaningless if you know where to look.