Description
Book SynopsisEach year over a million newly-minted high school graduates enroll in four-year colleges and universities across the country. They do so often after a lengthy and almost always stressful selection process. Faced with growing evidence of declining standards, rising political correctness and spiraling costs, families feel more powerless than ever before and question whether a college degree is really the key to the American dream. What is a parent to do? This book provides an answer. Higher education expert Anne Neal offers families a concise guide to finding the right college. Rejecting the notion that reputation is everything, this guide offers insightful chapters on curricula and teaching, campus and dorm life, freedom of thought and speech, and affordability issues that are more and more in the news. Families are given a handy checklist of questions designed to help them zero in on key issues of quality and cost to ensure a college program that will provide the skills and knowle
Trade ReviewEvery prospective college student and parent should be grateful that Anne Neal wrote this book! She shows clearly how to evaluate the school itself and not just the nice brochure: how to find out what is – and is not – actually taught in classes; the real deal on financial aid; why to avoid “party schools” altogether; how to find out if actual faculty teach courses or whether teaching is routinely handed off to doctoral candidates, and more. No one should invest four years or more and tens of thousands of dollars or more without Ms. Neal’s expert guidance. -- Tom Rollins, Founder, The Teaching Company
Table of ContentsForeword Preface Zeroing in on Your Schools Chapter 1: Brace Yourself Chapter 2: Make a Match Doing Research Chapter 3: Insist on Academic Substance Chapter 4: Look for Serious and Responsible Teaching Chapter 5: Understand Campus Culture and Dorm Life Chapter 6: Get the Facts on Drinking and Socializing Chapter 7: Put A Premium on Free Speech Chapter 8: Aim for Four Years and Out Chapter 9: Learn the Real Cost (by Dr. Richard Vedder) Chapter 10: Visit with Eyes Open Remaining Involved Chapter 11: Stay Connected Chapter 12: Conclusion: Jump Right In! Postscript: Take Action Acknowledgments Selecting a College Checklist Appendix A Appendix B Endnotes
