JULY 28, 2008--Bellarmine University is one of the nation’s best institutions for undergraduate education, according to The Princeton Review. The New York-based education services company known for its test-prep courses features the college in the just-published 2009 edition of its annual book, "The Best 368 Colleges" (Random House / Princeton Review, July 29, 2008, $21.95). Only about 15% of America’s 2,500 four-year colleges and two Canadian colleges are in the book. It has two-page profiles of the schools and student survey-based ranking lists of top 20 colleges in more than 60 categories. The Princeton Review also posts the book's ranking lists on its website "
www.PrincetonReview.com" at which users can read FAQs about the book.
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’s location to its excellent faculty. “Bellarmine is located in the center of the Highlands, Kentucky’s cultural mecca. There’s everything from sushi to Rasta stores, skate shops to thrift malls,” said one student. Another said that the professors are like “big brothers and sisters: They harass you, but they’re there when you need a helping hand.”
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: “Small classes,” “Lab facilities are great,” “Great computer facilities,” “Great library,” “Students love Louisville, KY,” “Great off-campus food.”
"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 “The Best 368 Colleges”) for its website feature 2009 Best Colleges Region by Region (Northeast / Midwest / Southeast / West). The company’s 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.