Choosing a College [Hardcover]

Thomas Sowell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1989

Sowell pulls no punches as he candidly describes the inner and outer workings of scores of American colleges and universities, big and small. He gives equal attention to special programs, financial aid, and the academic environment. 5 cassettes.

--This text refers to the Audio Cassette edition.

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

This is unique in the "how-to-get-into-college" genre for several reasons. First, it is written by an accomplished essayist and a distinguished conservative economist who is currently a Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution. Second, it is, in part, a provocative critique of American higher education, or more specifically of the quality of teaching and curriculum--arguing, for instance, that at some schools interdisciplinary courses have "degenerated into rap sessions." Third, it provides students with solid rationale on how to evaluate their options, which abound, but require careful and pragmatic analysis. The book includes an examination of how higher education institutions differ in kind and approach, although the best parts are those that help to distinguish what constitutes good teaching. Recommended as an alternative to the sometimes dull offerings on this subject.
- Richard H. Quay, Miami Univ. Libs., Oxford, Ohio
Copyright 1989 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins Childrens Books; 1st edition (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0060551518
• ISBN-13: 978-0060551513
• Product Dimensions: 8.1 x 5.4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,864,902 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thomas Sowell has taught economics at Cornell, UCLA, Amherst and other academic institutions, and his Basic Economics has been translated into six languages. He is currently a scholar in residence at the Hoover Institution, Stanford University. He has published in both academic journals in such popular media as the Wall Street Journal, Forbes magazine and Fortune, and writes a syndicated column that appears in newspapers across the country.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sowell is Irreplaceable, January 22, 2005

By 

Dore Schupack (OK) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Choosing a College: A Guide for Parents and Students (Paperback)

This is a precursor to the later National Review Guide, and the ISI Guide called Choosing the Right College. Sowell's book is the BEST FIRST THING for you and your kids to read as they are in 9th, 10th, or 11th grade and you are thinking about where to ship them off to. After Sowell, read NR and ISI, and you will be well-positioned to read between the lines of all the other propaganda that's out there!

3 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Timeless, insightful advice!, July 31, 2007

By 

S. Bolt - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Choosing a College: A Guide for Parents and Students (Paperback)

Dr. Sowell is a gem! His experience and intelligence make this book a necessary read for everyone wanting to see the big picture regarding college admissions. There IS a systematic way to find the BEST college for a particular student. "Choosing a College" lays groundwork for the necessary homework and personal introspection this process ultimately requires.

Every potential applicant should read this book. I would personally advise parents (who want to get both feet firmly planted on the ground before your student begins this important and expensive life-altering process) to start by reading Dr. Sowell's "Inside American Education". He reveals many painful truths regarding our educational system, which newspapers seldom print and TV stations never broadcast.