UConn is once again included in the Fiske Guide to Colleges, a tool for parents and students deciding on a college to attend that lists only about 300 of the more than 2,200 colleges and universities in the nation.
“The top public university in New England, UConn has seen billions of dollars poured into improving and expanding its facilities during the past decade,” the section profiling UConn says. “Couple the new buildings with the glow of two championship basketball teams, a wealth of research opportunities, and more than 250 clubs and organizations, and it’s clear why students who in the past might have dismissed it as a ‘cow college’ are choosing UConn, even when they have other options.”
UConn received 4 out of 5 stars in academics, 3 out of 5 in social life, and 3 out of 5 for quality of living.
The Fiske Guide has been serving parents and students for more than 25 years. It is authored by Edward B. Fiske, who worked as an education editor for The New York Times for 17 years before founding the guide. It accepts no advertising, consulting, or other fees in its research, instead basing its findings on a select group of student surveys, other interviews, and research.
The academic rating includes such factors as the school’s reputation, as judged by high school counselors; the quality of faculty, a portion of which is based on student ratings; the quality of libraries and research facilities; and the level of “academic seriousness” on campus.
The social rating includes such factors as the number of clubs and activities offered; the frequency of parties – also partially covered in student surveys; and the campus’s proximity to cities or rich cultural opportunities.
The quality-of-life rating includes such factors as the intensity of competition between students; openness to others, including women, minorities, and gays; the beauty of the campus; support services available; and the quality of dorms and food service.
“Despite the school’s agricultural roots, UConn students aren’t ‘cowed’ by the plethora of offerings,” says the article. “Those seeking greener pastures will be hard-pressed to find a more dynamic public institution.”
