Says Robert Franek, Princeton Review's V.P., Publishing, "We chose schools for this book primarily for their outstanding academics. We evaluated them based on institutional data we collect about the schools, feedback from students attending them, and our visits to schools over the years. We also consider the opinions of independent college counselors, students, and parents we hear from year-long. Finally, we work to have a wide representation of colleges in the book by region, size, selectivity and character."
In its profile on Bellarmine, The Princeton Review quotes extensively from Bellarmine students surveyed for the book. Their candid comments range from the school鈥檚 location to its excellent faculty. 鈥淏ellarmine is located in the center of the Highlands, Kentucky鈥檚 cultural mecca. There鈥檚 everything from sushi to Rasta stores, skate shops to thrift malls,鈥� said one student. Another said that the professors are like 鈥渂ig brothers and sisters: They harass you, but they鈥檙e there when you need a helping hand.鈥�
The ranking lists in "The Best 368 Colleges" are based on The Princeton Review's survey of 120,000 students (about 325 per campus on average) attending the 368 colleges in the book. A college's appearance on these lists is attributable to a high consensus among its surveyed students about the subject. The 80-question survey asked students to rate their schools on several topics and report on their campus experiences at them. Ranking lists report the top 20 schools in categories that range from best professors, administration, and campus food to lists based on student body political leanings, race/class relations, sports interests, and other aspects of campus life. The Princeton Review does not rank the colleges in the book 1 to 368 in any category, nor do the rankings reflect The Princeton Review's opinion of the schools.
In a "Survey Says. . ." sidebar in the book's profile on Bellarmine, The Princeton Review lists topics that Bellamrine students surveyed for the book were in most agreement about. The list for Bellarmine includes: 鈥淪mall classes,鈥� 鈥淟ab facilities are great,鈥� 鈥淕reat computer facilities,鈥� 鈥淕reat library,鈥� 鈥淪tudents love Louisville, KY,鈥� 鈥淕reat off-campus food.鈥�
"The Best 368 Colleges" is one of nearly 200 Princeton Review books published by Random House. Over the years, various ranking lists in the book have been favorably referenced by President Bill Clinton, Vice President Dick Cheney, and Secretary of Education Margaret Spellings (among others), and praised by USA Today as "a public service." The Princeton Review also designated 630 colleges and universities (including those in 鈥淭he Best 368 Colleges鈥�) for its website feature 2009 Best Colleges Region by Region (Northeast / Midwest / Southeast / West). The company鈥檚 book line also includes "The Best Northeastern Colleges" and "The Complete Book of Colleges," the 2009 editions of which will be published August 5, 2008.
The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com) is a New York-based company known for its test preparation, education, and college admission services. It is not affiliated with Princeton University and it is not a magazine.