This paper provides the first experimental evidence of how admission outcomes in centralized systems depend on strategic college choice behaviors. Centralized college admissions simplify the application process and reduce students' informational barriers. However, such systems also reward informed and strategic college choices. In particular,…

Years ago, the popular TV game show "Let's Make a Deal" required its contestants to choose one of three doors. Contestants were just as likely to win expensive items such as cars and exotic vacations as they were to win a crate of lemons. Helping their child reach decisions about college may at times lead parents to feel as if they are contestants…

High-school students applying for freshman admission have at their disposal dozens of Web-based and print resources to help them sort through the process. Information on the Web is especially impressive. For students attending a community college, however, there is virtually nothing in virtual space to help them identify four-year institutions…

Points out limited value of college guides in college selection and encourages use of supplemental sources of information. Suggests questions to pose when evaluating guidebooks. Recommends prospective student consult with guidance counselor and family during decision-making process. (CM)

Reports that several authors and publishers of college guidebooks receive money from schools selected for coverage, or sell space to admissions offices for additional coverage beyond the standard profiles. Both supporters, who say that such charges are necessary to support the publication, and critics, who feel these practices undercut…

Fifteen guides to college choice and admission are described and their characteristics and special uses are noted. The guides include primary, secondary, and "insider" sources. Some are traditional information sources for college-bound students, and some are newer publications. (MSE)

An annotated bibliography of 56 books and articles published in 1986 and 1987 which provide information about college and university rankings is divided into six sections: (1) ranking and rating in general; (2) preparatory school guides; (3) college guides; (4) comparative articles; (5) ranking and rating by subject areas; and (6) rankings…

Discusses the proliferation of college guides for prospective students and describes and evaluates 11 guides that address the opportunities in higher education for the older student, minorities and women, Christian and Jewish students, and students with special needs. (eight references) (LRW)

Response of colleges and universities to surveys from publishers of college guides and popular newsstand magazines is discussed, and considerations in developing a standard survey response are explored. These include the advantages and limitations of standardized information formats, how much of the information reaches prospective students, how…

Four major publishers of college guidebooks respond to the concerns of colleges and universities about the guides, the information they contain, and the demand for the information. Specific issues addressed include development of a standardized survey response, data integrity and validity, specialized information needs, publisher-institution…

An overview of college guidebooks examines their origins, development, types, impact on both consumers and colleges, and current trends and future prospects. It is argued that publishers will gain credibility by standardizing data collection and reporting formats and by no longer trying to rank colleges on criteria that change annually and fail to…

Results of a national survey of college students concerning the relative usefulness or role of publications and individuals in choosing a college are presented and discussed. (MSE)

Debate grows over the validity and reliability of college and university rankings, which judge rather than describe institutions, as the public's willingness to accept them increases. While many institutional characteristics can be measured, measurement methods need improvement. One solution is to publish the peer studies that the institutions…