America's Best Colleges
2006 Edition
by U.S. News & World Report
Overview
FROM THE PUBLISHER
Exclusive, U.S. News in-depth ranking tables compare schools on numerous attributes, such as acceptance rate, test scores of entering students, and reputation.
A full collection of information-packed articles to help you choose the right school for you, navigate the admissions process, and pay your way.
A directory of more than 1,400 schools features admissions statistics, information on cost, financial aid data, and admissions deadlines.
My thoughts
Do I have any thoughts left?
Look, I have a daughter in college and one more headed there. My oldest daughter knew what she wanted, it was easy. Not so much with my youngest daughter. I don't know how I'd have made it this far without the website and book by US News & World Report. The articles inside are incredibly helpful, the ratings of schools divine, and the list of schools with statistics on each is heavenly. This is an indispensable guide if you don't know for sure what you want, or if you want to do comparisons.
Incidentally, the information that I have personally verified has been incredibly accurate. The costs are consistently on the low side from what I've been able to ascertain, but I am looking at rates for the coming year whereas the book has historical costs from the previous year.
I've purchased other college guides that turned out to be worthless. This is NOT one of them. It should be on the bookshelf of every high school student.
Favorite Passage
When little Sally was born 17 years ago, you wisely started a savings account in her name, right?...Well, that money will help, but not nearly as much as if you'd kept it in your own accounts. That's because the expected contributions are weighed differently for students and parents. Parents -- with their myriad financial responsibilities -- are expected to devote only 5.64 percent of their assets to college costs. Students, on the other hand, must fork over 35 percent. Say Sally has $30,000 saved. She'd be expected to contribute $10,500 this year, and her aid would be lower accordingly.
