Rating: 
Summary: The Number 1 College Guide
Review: Plan on buying more than one college guide? Fine. But buy this one first. Very head's up and contemporary in today's fast paced college market. This Nemko guy has been around and offers first rate advice.
Rating:
Summary: I did love this book - and so did my 17 year old son.
Review: The funny thing is, when we first got this book, I thought we would hate it. Quickly glancing through, I saw big print and a whimsical feel that made me think that the book had little to offer when compared to the detailed tomes about college choices and financial aides that we had also ordered from Amazon.But then I started to read the book, and immediately I realized it was different. This book has plain language and plain sense advice that makes navigating the maze of college admissions & financial aid a lot easier. The author is also refreshingly honest; this includes a few statements that have the ring of truth even though they might not be something we want to hear. I think that this book, more than any other, helped my son and I to get a clear sense of what his goals and expectations are. It was also something that helped provide a framework for discussion -- it gave us both the same frame of reference so we could really talk about what choices are realistic and what my son's goals are. The only criticism we have is the last part of the book, which deals with life on campus. That part seemed over simplistic and patronizing. However, I gave the book 5 stars because the rest of the book is invaluable.
Rating:
Summary: I did love this book - and so did my 17 year old son.
Review: The funny thing is, when we first got this book, I thought we would hate it. Quickly glancing through, I saw big print and a whimsical feel that made me think that the book had little to offer when compared to the detailed tomes about college choices and financial aides that we had also ordered from Amazon. But then I started to read the book, and immediately I realized it was different. This book has plain language and plain sense advice that makes navigating the maze of college admissions & financial aid a lot easier. The author is also refreshingly honest; this includes a few statements that have the ring of truth even though they might not be something we want to hear. I think that this book, more than any other, helped my son and I to get a clear sense of what his goals and expectations are. It was also something that helped provide a framework for discussion -- it gave us both the same frame of reference so we could really talk about what choices are realistic and what my son's goals are. The only criticism we have is the last part of the book, which deals with life on campus. That part seemed over simplistic and patronizing. However, I gave the book 5 stars because the rest of the book is invaluable.
Rating:
Summary: I am the author and must respond to one of the other reviews
Review: The review by Gaetan Lion is SO inaccurate that I, the author of this book, must respond.
I will embed my responses to each of his inaccuracies:
Lion writes, "On page 39 and 40 the author shares a basic list of his favorite schools. But, most of them are misclassified. He classifies the University of Chicago as a small liberal arts college. Meanwhile, it is a national university with masters and doctorate programs that liberal arts colleges do not have."
Mr. Lion fails to realize that the University of Chicago's undergraduate program in reality functions far more like a liberal arts college than a big university. It is quite small To characterize it as a university would be misleading. He says, "Most of the characterizations are inaccurate"? Not one of the prepublication reviewers (top college counselors all) nor post-publication readers has questioned the validity of even college's listing.
Lion writes, "On page 39, classifies Grinnell as a good liberal arts college for B students. On the next page, he classifies the exact same school as a good school for unconventional students with a GPA of A. Well, is Grinnell a school for A or B students? The author does not know. "
The author does know. He knows that Grinnell WILL accept some B students but that it also is an excellent place for unconventional students with A grades. Both are true.
Lion writes, "An example of poor judgment is his unqualified promotion of using the Common Application for convenience. If you want to get into a selective school, don't use the Common Application; it will clearly lower your chance of getting accepted. The school will perceive you as too lazy to even make the effort to use the school's customized application format. "
Again, that is incorrect. Every one of the approximately 250 institutions that have agreed, in writing, to accept the Common Application pledge that such applications will be treated precisely the same as an application on the institution's own form. And in fact, based on my experience with hundreds of students and discussions with many of my fellow college counselors, the colleges abide by their pledge.
Lion writes, "Later, he promotes Canadian schools as a superior college education at a below market cost. This is a mirage. First, Canadian schools are for the most part huge (20,000 to 40,000 plus students). Their standard class size is often 100+. Their student/teacher multiple is way higher than anything you see in the U.S. Also, their out-of-country tuition has skyrocketed lately, and is often much higher than out-of-state tuition for public schools. In summary, Canadian schools don't compare well in both cost and quality vs. good public school systems like the UCs and University of Michigan."
Again, untrue. Class sizes of the most commonly taken classes at the University of California campuses are 100+. And for the vast majority of students who do not reside in California or Michigan, Canadian universities, even with out-of-country tuition, represent solid value, especially when considering quality-of-life factors such as safety and air quality.
Lion writes, "He gives completely wrong advice on Early Action. He discourages it because he thinks the admission standard is tougher than for regular admission. He is wrong. Applying Early Action gives you the equivalent of a 70-point boost on the old SAT scale."
That is simply incorrect. Early DECISION applicants have a 70-point advantage. Early ACTION applicants suffer a decrement.
Lion writes, "He overstates the case for community colleges. He states they have better professors and smaller classes than four-year institutions. Based on feedback from friends who did go to community colleges this is never the case. Community colleges are a wonderful opportunity for students who have no other opportunities for financial or academic reasons. But, they are no great shake for too many other people."
Lion uses a smattering of evidence to assert that I, who have 20+ years of experience as a college counselor, professor, and consultant to colleges, with a PhD from Berkeley in the evaluation of education, am "overstating the case." He is wrong.
Lion writes, "The Appendix B, a list of 434 colleges is useless. It is like a phone book list that is not even in alphabetical order."
Of course, it is not in alphabetical order. As I explain in the book, I deliberately placed colleges in categories to help the reader to narrow down to the type of college that would be a best fit.
Lion writes, "Additionally, based on all the mistakes he made on his short list on page 39 and 40, I would not even trust he got the name and phone numbers right of the respective schools he mentions."
Another out-of-left field criticism. I have yet to hear from one reader who has spotted even one error.
"This list is associated with no qualitative information or insight whatsoever. You have no idea if he really likes or recommends them. There is also no information to truly differentiate them except for location and estimated costs."
As I explain in the book, the list of 434 colleges consists of virtually all the schools that attract national interest--have a significant proportion of out-of-state students.
Lion writes, "His sections on career counseling and school majors are so poor they are almost laughable."
Another assertion with no basis. Here's my basis for pride in that section. The San Francisco Bay Guardian recently named me "The Bay Area's Best Career Coach." And as a college AND career counselor, among the 2,000 clients I've worked with, I enjoy a 97% client satisfaction rate. The section on choosing a major and career is a distillation of whatI've learned really works.
Lion writes, "The author's main message, lost in a sea of errors".
The book's prepublication reviewers and I have compulsively reviewed every word of the manuscript. I challenge anyone to find a "sea of errors" in this book.
I am extremely proud of the book because, except for Lion's review, I have received overwhelmingly positive feedback from parents and students. They say it truly provides everything one needs to choose, get into, find the money for, and make the most of college in 220 authoritative yet accessible pages.
I hope this Lion's unfair review will not deter you from spending the $9 on the book. I promise you'll find it very, very helpful.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Colledge Guide
Review: This book is very informative and was wonderfull help in my College Search experience!
Rating: 
Summary: Covers way too many topics to do a good job.
Review: This books attempts to be:
1) A college selection and admission guide;
2) A self help manual on how to thrive during your college years;
3) A financial planning guide focused on how to finance college;
4) A guide to college majors; and
5) A career counseling guide
This is four books too many. The author was clearly not able to handle this All-in-One formula. He should have focused on the first theme: a regular college selection and admission guide. This is a complex enough material for most authors and readers.
As a result of the author's strategy of Jack-of-all-trades but Masters of none, he really failed at covering any of the five topics mentioned in adequate depth. The book for the most part is devoid of any insights beyond common sense and common knowledge. In addition, the book is stuffed with typos, errors, and incorrect judgments.
For instance, on page 39 and 40 the author shares a basic list of his favorite schools. But, most of them are misclassified. He classifies the University of Chicago as a small liberal arts college. Meanwhile, it is a national university with masters and doctorate programs that liberal arts colleges do not have. On page 39, he classifies Grinnell as a good liberal arts college for B students. On the next page, he classifies the exact same school as a good school for unconventional students with a GPA of A. Well, is Grinnell a school for A or B students? The author does not know.
An example of poor judgment is his unqualified promotion of using the Common Application for convenience. If you want to get into a selective school, don't use the Common Application; it will clearly lower your chance of getting accepted. The school will perceive you as too lazy to even make the effort to use the school's customized application format.
Later, he promotes Canadian schools as a superior college education at a below market cost. This is a mirage. First, Canadian schools are for the most part huge (20,000 to 40,000 plus students). Their standard class size is often 100+. Their student/teacher multiple is way higher than anything you see in the U.S. Also, their out-of-country tuition has skyrocketed lately, and is often much higher than out-of-state tuition for public schools. In summary, Canadian schools don't compare well in both cost and quality vs. good public school systems like the UCs and University of Michigan.
He gives completely wrong advice on Early Action. He discourages it because he thinks the admission standard is tougher than for regular admission. He is wrong. Applying Early Action gives you the equivalent of a 70-point boost on the old SAT scale. For confirmation, check the excellent book "The Early Admission Game."
He overstates the case for community colleges. He states they have better professors and smaller classes than four-year institutions. Based on feedback from friends who did go to community colleges this is never the case. Community colleges are a wonderful opportunity for students who have no other opportunities for financial or academic reasons. But, they are no great shake for too many other people.
The Appendix B, a list of 434 colleges is useless. It is like a phone book list that is not even in alphabetical order. Additionally, based on all the mistakes he made on his short list on page 39 and 40, I would not even trust he got the name and phone numbers right of the respective schools he mentions. This list is associated with no qualitative information or insight whatsoever. You have no idea if he really likes or recommends them. There is also no information to truly differentiate them except for location and estimated costs.
His sections on career counseling and school majors are so poor they are almost laughable.
The author's main message, lost in a sea of errors, is that the college fit and what you will study and do in college are far more important than the college brand name. This is a true and laudable message. Unfortunately, many authors have already said it in a much more informative and convincing way than he did. These include the following ones who wrote excellent books that I do recommend:
Jay Matthews "Harvard Schmarvard"
Howard and Matthew Greene, "The Public Ivies," "Inside the Top Colleges," and "The Hidden Ivies."
Loren Pope, "Looking Beyond the Ivy League."
Rating: 
Summary: Lukewarm reception
Review: You can start reading this relatively easy and short guidebook while in High School, and you'll want to keep it handy all the way up through Freshman year of college! Excellent for parents and students alike. Amazingly covers all bases with a good deal of common sense, with excellent format. Chapter summaries allow for quickly scanning the meatiest data, and there are checklists and logical outlines for sane planning. It's almost certainly not the ONLY book you'll need, but it's really the best concise guide to start off on the college hunt/financial aid search/SAT battle/admissions process. Perfect for student without access to a college guidance counsellor, who may not know where to start... this would be an excellent gift to the family with a child who has just started high school, but it can still be very useful in the late stages of the admissions process.
Rating:
Summary: Starts you off on the Right Foot
Review: You can start reading this relatively easy and short guidebook while in High School, and you'll want to keep it handy all the way up through Freshman year of college! Excellent for parents and students alike. Amazingly covers all bases with a good deal of common sense, with excellent format. Chapter summaries allow for quickly scanning the meatiest data, and there are checklists and logical outlines for sane planning. It's almost certainly not the ONLY book you'll need, but it's really the best concise guide to start off on the college hunt/financial aid search/SAT battle/admissions process. Perfect for student without access to a college guidance counsellor, who may not know where to start... this would be an excellent gift to the family with a child who has just started high school, but it can still be very useful in the late stages of the admissions process.
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