Not Just Any College: The Guide to a College Search [Paperback]

Nellie P. Branco (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0805960260 | ISBN-13: 978-0805960266 | Publication Date: May 30, 2003

Not Just Any College! The Guide to a College Search is an invaluable resource for families trying to determine the best college for a student to attend. The author shares her unique and personal perspective on the subject by citing examples of what to look for when considering a particular college. A checklist is provided that families can use while visiting colleges and throughout the process. On it she lists things to look for and important data. This handy tool will eventually create an overview for each college of interest. Written from a parent;s point of view, this guide takes you from the college pick to the big drop-off day.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

A former adminstrative assistant, Nellie Branco lives in New England, with her husband, Jack. While going through the college process for their son, she found the information and experiences so enlightening that she wanted to share it with others. In her spare time she enjoys reading.

Product Details

• Paperback: 32 pages
• Publisher: Dorrance Publishing Co. (May 30, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0805960260
• ISBN-13: 978-0805960266
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.3 x 0.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 0.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #6,581,995 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #67 in Books > 4-for-3 Books > Business & Investing > Careers > Vocational Guidance

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3.0 out of 5 stars Read in 10 Minutes, March 4, 2010

By 

Jose A. Carmona (Dade City, FL USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Not Just Any College: The Guide to a College Search (Paperback)

Not Just Any College: The Guide to a College Search is a witty written little book written from a parent's perspective of selecting a college for her graduating senior. The book is divided into twenty-one, sometimes a paragraph long, chapters with advice on how to go about the selection process. Some of the topics in the book include: how to evaluate colleges, when to visit the colleges, how to match your child to the college, what to bring or not to bring when taking your child to college, and others. The book can be easily read in about 10 to 15 minutes.
Some of the valuable advice provided included: matching your child to a college based on SAT scores so that he/she will fit well, applying to a wide range of colleges and not the very top colleges only, and the value of a liberal arts education. The book also includes a resourceful reference template to use when a parent visits a college; this will give the family an opportunity to rate colleges visited and match them to the future college student.
As an educator, I found some things that need revising. One of the things that were found to be a problem is that this book should be more credible if research was conducted and referred to in some instances. Another problem found with the book is that it puts emphasis on the college to be selected as having too much emphasis on faculty having doctorates. Having been in higher education for over 20 years, I have experienced that having a doctorate doesn't make a good instructor. In fact, if instructors have not taken any education classes such as methodology, for example, he/she may not be able to reach his/her students in the classroom. The author seems not to be aware of the emphasis placed on research by faculty holding a PhD. As also noted by the author, many professors have student assistants teach their classes; this is due to having to continue to do research during their careers.
All in all, with some revision, this book can become a good guide for parents who are in search of a college for their sons and daughters.