FAYETTVILLE, AR. - With institutional ranking guides continuing to hit newsstands across the country, the University of Arkansas once again finds itself included as the state’s only public college or university in the pages of a "most interesting" publication. Not only does Kaplan’s 2004 edition of The Unofficial Unbiased Insider’s Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges hold the University in some select company, but writers Trent Anderson and Seppy Basili recognize the University as one that’s making a "Change for the Better."

Other than the flagship campus, the only other Natural State institution included in the guidebook is Hendrix College, a private school located in Conway.

Expanding on its 2003 edition, The Unofficial Unbiased Guide presents the results from national surveys of students and high school guidance counselors. Institutions are ranked in 15 different categories ranging from "Hot and Trendy" to "Hidden Treasures."

Under to the category "Changed for the Better," where the University of Arkansas is listed, the two writers say, "Guidance counselors applaud these schools for the strides they’ve taken in changing for the better in the last couple of years."

"To be included in this category shows the increased attention the University is getting on a national stage and how much respect we are receiving for the strides made under our current administration," Interim Associate Vice Chancellor for University Advancement Judy Schwab said.

"By surveying high school guidance counselors, the Kaplan guide reveals an existing perception about the University," Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Bob Smith said. "We can use that information to better inform high schools of the ongoing changes and improvements on campus and continue making the University even more appealing to potential students."

Anderson’s and Basili’s college profiles do not include numerical rankings, nor do they grade existing programs within the institutions. What the profiles do provide, however is information and opinions from the institutions’ best critics, its students.

"Reading the feedback of our students in Kaplan’s guide gives us a form of instant feedback," Smith said. "As you read the University’s profile, you see a very favorable review of our campus and the programs of study offered. To see that our students, both past and current, remain pleased with our performance serves as motivation to continue making the University of Arkansas synonymous with academic excellence."

Listed below are selected excerpts from the 2004 edition of The Unofficial Unbiased Guide to the 328 Most Interesting Colleges:

• "The University of Arkansas is best known as a research university, and offers numerous research opportunities for undergraduates."
• "Students give high marks to engineering, architecture, biochemistry, nursing, education, and agricultural sciences programs. In addition, the popular College of Engineering offers co-op partnerships for students."
• "The faculty to student ratio is a manageable 16:1. "Most of the teachers are extremely helpful and accessible,’ says a junior."
• "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."
• "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 plenty to do,’ says one graduate."
• "While the large majority of students are from Arkansas, the population is fairly diverse. 'I don’t think there is a 'typical student’ because there are so many majors, clubs, and activities to chose from that it is impossible to find two people involved in the exact same things,’ comments a junior."