NEW GUIDEBOOK SELECTS UNIVERSITY OF ARKANSAS AS ONE OF 320 'MOST INTERESTING' COLLEGES

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas has been selected for inclusion in a new guidebook, The Unofficial (Biased) Insider’s Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges by Trent Anderson and Seppy Basili.

Published by Simon & Schuster under the auspices of Kaplan Books for college-bound students, the 680-page guide also includes two private colleges from the Natural State, Hendrix in Conway and Lyon in Batesville.

The guidebook presents the results from a national survey of students and guidance counselors that purports to identify the "best values," "hidden treasures," hot schools," and "other top-choice lists" among the nation’s 2,143 four-year public and private non-profit colleges and universities.

"This is yet another indication of the University of Arkansas’ growing reputation as a nationally competitive public research university," said Roger L. Williams, associate vice chancellor of University relations. "In addition, the U of A is conspicuously absent from the guide’s list of party schools."

"Although there are no numerical rankings or scores assigned to schools on the basis of academics, admissions, financial aid, or social life, the narrative descriptions are based heavily on student opinion and read insightfully as a result," Williams added. "In all, the University of Arkansas narrative is overwhelmingly favorable, without a single critical statement."

For example, the opening paragraph contains a quote from a student who says, "It is not just a school for people who can’t get in anywhere else—that is what I used to think."

In his summary statement, co-author Basili agrees that the "UA isn’t just a safety school anymore.."

The opening sentence reads: "The University of Arkansas is best known as a research university, and offers numerous research opportunities for undergraduates."

Other quotes or observations, ver batim:

."The faculty-student ratio is a manageable 16:1. 'Most of the teachers are extremely helpful and accessible,’ says a junior."

."Students also have good things to say about tutoring programs that are available, some conveniently located within the dorms."

."Nearly every student we heard from mentioned money as a deciding factor in attending the University of Arkansas. Tuition is low: In-state students pay annual tuition of less than $4,000, while out-of-staters pay less than $10,000 per year."

."Scholarships abound; in an effort to attract high-achieving students, the university offers incredible aid packages, including stipends for books and living, to incoming students with top high school records. Says one student, 'I got a first-rate education at the U of A, and it didn’t cost me or my family a truckload of money.’"

."By all accounts, Fayetteville is a particularly livable city. 'It’s small enough to have that small town atmosphere, but large enough to still find something to do,’ says one graduate. Town-gown relations are good, too."

."Although the UA is a large school, students describe it as 'extremely friendly.’ Says one junior, "I can never walk to class without seeing at least three people that I know.’ "