Presents a variety of issues college bound students should consider before completing applications. Discusses 38 questions dealth with institutional policy and attitudes, demography, student life, and institutional resources which can help students decide which college best meets their needs. (JAC)

Examines folklore (conventional wisdom) about college quality and critiques five key myths that misguide prospective students in selecting a college. Suggests multiple criteria framework for assessing college quality. (CM)

Asserts that no one can be certain whether a particular student will be accepted into their college/university of choice. Acknowledges anxiety and lack of control felt by prospective students and their parents. Recommends prospective students' families view the college search as an educational decision-making process. (CM)

Presents humorous multiple-choice questions focusing on things parents should consider about colleges, such as what to look for on-campus visits (number of empty beer cans instead of number of books in the library) and how many days college will guarantee the student will stay at the school instead of percentage of students who pursue advanced…

Contends that prospective students should evaluate suitability of colleges based on individual student needs rather than national ratings. Argues that ratings are superficial, sometimes misleading, and potentially demoralizing for academically weaker students. (CM)

Discusses the special needs of students transferring from colleges that have failed. Student reactions, academic issues, financial issues, social issues and choice of a new college are discussed as well as the possibility of a successful department being absorbed into a new institution. (JAC)

Presents an open letter addressed to Morton B. Zuckerman of "U.S. News & World Report" concerning the magazine's survey/article "America's Best Colleges" which received a great deal of public attention. Criticizes the survey for failing to help families make better choices among institutions and failing to encourage colleges to do a better job for…

Describes popularity and utility of using institution's distance from prospective student's home and its environmental characteristics as starting point in selection of prospective college/university. (CM)

Results of a grade 12 marketplace survey indicated a high correlation between students' and parents' perceptions that the college experience is a value-added experience in preparation for employment and a significant variance between counselors' opinions as to why students select colleges as compared to students' and parents' opinions. (Author/BL)

Discusses the home visit as an effective and underutilized recruiting method for colleges, citing the example of Eureka College's practice of visiting the homes of prospective students. (TE)

Contends that high school counselors are critical of college ratings because they hinder effective college-choice counseling. Suggests prospective students actively engage in selection process and college admissions counselors stress need for good match between individual and college. (CM)

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)

Surveyed 263 prospective student/parent opinions of campus visitation program. Found that 67 percent of students reported an increased likelihood of attending the college as a result of the program. Discusses additional findings and suggests features desirable for a campus visitation program. (PVV)

Reports on a study of proprietary college counselors, i.e. private, for-profit educational consultants outside of the formal education system, examining their backgrounds, the services they offer, their relationship with public school counselors, and the clients they serve. Found that although well-seasoned professionals, their collaboration with…

Advocates uniformity in college applications--a centralized application system in which candidates would supply the required academic, personal, and financial information and a rank-ordered listing of their target universities or colleges. Target colleges would segmentially evaluate the applicant as a first-choice candidate until the applicant was…