Choosing the Right College 2004: The Whole Truth about America's Top Schools

Although it never says it outright, this book comes from a very conservative perspective. It reveals truths about schools that college admissions officers would never dream of telling you. If you want the inside story on a particular school, you need to buy this book. I recently made the unfortunate decision of going to a college that I discovered was completely wrong for me. If this book had an entry for my current college, I probably would have never considered going here. I was stupid enough to believe some of the lies that admissions officers told me about my school--"Oh yes, this is a VERY conservative campus...", etc. The ISI book will give you pertinent information that administrators typically lie about, like (in my school, for example) insipid affirmative action programs, a dearth of conservatives on campus, and a general attitude of hostility towards anyone who's not a leftist. As a conservative student stuck in a wretchedly liberal university, I urge you to get this book if you want to know the truth about liberalism on a particular campus. Don't make the same mistake I did.

We got this book for our daughter and it provided a completely unique point of view. There is just no competition when it comes to analyzing schools on the issue of political correctness. It was especially interesting to read the descriptions of the colleges our family had first-hand knowledge about--from 20 years ago. My, how things have changed at our old alma mater. This book helped me reflect on how my daughter is going to need to filter--i.e., test--some of the liberal thinking that she will undoubtedly encounter, wherever she goes. We were able to discuss the kinds of things that she might be asked to do or buy into. She's smart and can make up her own mind. I sincerely hope she chooses a school where diversity of opinion is truly respected so that she can focus on being educated rather than learning to say "the right thing" to appease liberal faculty. Harvard called her recently to ask if she had any questions about Harvard. She asked if a student ever got a lower grade because her political views were different from the prof's views. THe Harvard rep said, "no, not if you can cite facts, you know, not just state your opinions." That's a little chilling for a young person who wants to state their opinion and test different points of view! The Harvard rep added that Harvard had been getting that question a lot lately. Could it be that people are starting to question whether even hallowed Harvard is too focused on providing political indoctrination rather than a solid liberal arts education?! This book makes you think twice about some of our most prestigious institutions.

although i'm a moderate liberal, i can't help but find this book refreshing. be prepared a find alot of "radical" bashing. this book sets apart from others because it's more critical/ truthful. it's hard to find a college he likes, but when you find it, it's like you've uncovered a treasure.

Now in a significantly expanded and thoroughly updated 2004 edition, Choosing The Right College offers a no-frills series of honest assessments of the academic curriculum, political atmosphere, and campus life of both public and private universities throughout America. Offering solid advice on the best departments, professors, and courses to pursue, as well as guidelines on the right questions to ask during campus visits, researched statistics, and body of extremely practical advice, Choosing The Right College is a "must-read" for any prospective college student (and the parents) debating where to embark on his or her future academic future.

Having been a conservative most of my life and living with very liberal parents and friends, I found this book to be a welcome refresher from the usual inoffensive BS that is typical in many college books. Unlike most books which give blythe descriptions, this book actually explains serious problems and benefits of various colleges. Everything from the structure of the curriculum of various schools, to the political and cultural leanings to the social scene on campus is described here. The book even discusses many conflicts that have taken place on campus and how they have been solved. At times the conservativism can become slightly overbearing, however in general it is excellent. I wanted to find a college with plenty of Republican AND Democrats. This book proved an excellent guide.