College and University Books

The book is just wonderful and the language very easily understandable. The book is a must for everyone who is interested or involved in the business of Highee Education. I would recommend to biuy Dr. Birnbaum's new book and also "How Colleges Work". Your library will get richer if you get this book from Amazon.com as you may also familiarize with the Table of Contents. Dr. Birnbaum is a great scholar and a professional. I am from Tbilisi, Georgia and studied at Kent State University and Dr. Birnbaum's book was very difficult to get as everyone loved it and wanted to have his own copy. So, why wait? Rush to get this book and the other one!

In this case study of 2 departments at Stanford University, Larry Cuban shows that, despite repeated "reforms" and the installation of new leaders, the university's basic reward structure has remained more or less the same for a century. Indeed, similar "reform" proposals have re-cycled through the university over the years, dressed up in new rhetoric but with the same result: power and influence flow to those faculty who meet the highest standards in their disciplines, rather than those most interested in pedagogy. Scholars want to teach graduate students and work on their research. When required to teach undergraduates, they want to offer small seminars in their specialty area, rather than foundational courses in their discipline. Cuban uses data from other highly selective American universities to show that the same pattern obtains elsewhere. We could read Cuban's book as a tragedy, from a student's point of view, but then, who listens to them?

I am an older gentleman, with no real interest in attending graduate school, mostly because I think academia is all a bunch of hooey. But I live in a college town, and, from time to time, I wonder if I could give these longhairs a run for their money. So I used Mr. Walters charming book to help myself apply to the University of Illinois as a 18 year-old Vietnamese woman. I did not, in fact, get in--but I found the experience to be oddly and unexpectedly thrilling. Mr. Walter's method of "not really" lying is extremely sophisticated, and--though it doesn't promise a hundred percent success--will improve your chances, and may even teach you to find new aspects of yourself.

Excellent reference book, no first year college student should be without one.

Comprehensive book on how to choose a college majors, with detailed information about the prospects of each major. Highly recommended.

This is a fabulous book providing essential information concerning the acquisition of a research degree. If you are an honours or PhD student, this book is a Must Read and will save you many stressful nights and cups of coffee.

This is the must have book for students preparing to enter college -- and for their parents. The entire application process is explained, as are tips and hints for taking admittance exams, writing essays, taking admittance interviews, and much more.

The book is broken down into eight separate sections:

1) And the finalists are: The brightest, the committed, and the honest.
2) You're moving out, but where are you going?
3) Oh, the tests you will take.
4) Apply, you will. Meet deadlines, you must!
5) Mastering the common application.
6) Your profile of courage: How to get the best recommendations.
7) Essay writing 101: Telling it your way.
8) How to impress, express, and dress at college interviews.

Each and every step of the application process is covered. You'll learn the correct terms and phrases for those you will meet, how to write the perfect essay on your application, and even how to dress and conduct yourself during an admittance interview. The book also includes checklists, worksheets, and guides to make the process a little easier.

The appendix includes even more list and guides you can tear out or copy. The glossary includes terms and definitions you'll need to know. There is also a section listing preparatory books for college tests, which you'll want to pick up. The easy-to-use index breaks down everything included in the book for quick access. This is the ultimate how-to guide for graduating high school students and their parents, who will want to pick up a copy before starting the college application process.

Reviewed by: Jennifer Wardrip, aka "The Genius"

This book really helped my son with his college essay!
I recommend it highly.

In the interest of full disclosure, I have a couple of fan stories in the book, and I'm referenced as one of the many fans who were interviewed. The author is a friend and former roommate.

"Huskerville" asks the questions pondered by many Nebraskan fans, particularly those of us who've left the state but still call it home. Why does Husker football mean so much to Nebraskans? Why is the connection between Nebraskans and Husker football so strong? Is this connection unique?

Aden provides the answers, referencing countless Husker fans, and a fair amount of Nebraska history along the way. It's a good read. It's heavier than your average sports book, but Aden treats the subject seriously while throwing in some fun.

Robert Wolff's The Ideal of the University is a very interesting and stimulating book. He proposes an ideal model of undergraduate education from the perspective of a socialist, philosopher, and educator. The interesting thing about his book is not only his super-creative and somewhat crazy ideas, but also how he honestly presents his ideas and responds to the anticipated questions and concerns over his arguments. Several times I found myself questioning his arguments and then in the next paragraph or two he would respond to my questions. I do not necessarily agree with his points, but I found this "conversation" very thought provoking and interesting.