Cool Colleges: For the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late Blooming, and Just Plain Different

by Donald Asher

Fully revised since the first edition, COOL COLLEGES covers the most exciting schools in the U.S. and Canada, with a new chapter on eco schools, an update on tuition-free schools, and the total low-down on the so-called top-ranked schools. Are you hyper-intelligent? Self-directed? A late-bloomer? Or just different? Then you need a great school that will challenge, nurture, inspire, and motivate you-and COOL COLLEGES has got '¬?em. It will also give you the scoop What the Ivy league is and what it really wants Totally free schools, including one where financial need is a requirement for admission Universities that don'¬?t give gradesSchools that don'¬?t want your SAT scoresData on the highest (and lowest) paying majorsThe schools that graduate the most millionairesMen'¬?s, women'¬?s, and minority-focused colleges Schools where you can design your own degree programA college where you can hike and camp your way to a degreeA college that runs its own ranch on an 80-square-mile campus Science and engineering schools where undergrads get their own labs The most competitive colleges, including one that rejects 95% of applicants Campuses where students love to study, even on Saturday nights Schools that offer programs in computer game studies, comedy, auctioneering, special-effects makeup, and more

Plus a link to the Web addresses for every college and university in the United States and Canada.COOL COLLEGES is the resource for finding your dream school-and gives you the edge you'¬?ll need to get accepted.

 Reviews"Worth a look, if you'¬?re headed for college or getting ready to apply."-San Diego Union Tribune

I received a used copy of your book, Cool Colleges (2nd Edition) in the mail this morning and (admittedly) out of vague interest and the slight boredom that comes with not having a driver's license, I picked it up and went about my usual hole-up-in-my-bedroom-with-new-book-and-blinds-down-and-stay-holed-until-I-have-finished-the-text-in-it's-entirety routine. The purpose of this message is to express my nearly inexpressible gratitude to you and your associates in research. I have read life-changing books, articles, and speeches but I have never, not once, been so deeply affected by a work of this A guidebook? I have perused U.S. News & World Report's 2007 College Guide and the Newsweek/Kaplan 2007 College Guide, each with their individual talents and faults, but your book was different. For once I felt like the book was directed to students such as myself. I'm not an athlete and I'm no an academic at my school, that's what it takes to be a favorite. I am just another mediocre teenager in millions who wants to save the world.

Your book made me feel, for once, as though someone was looking at those of us hanging by our fingernails on the edge of being completely lost in our distinction. I love to learn for the sake of learning and not because I'm aiming for any star-studded diplomas or accreditations, but because there is so much to learn. Your book not only allowed me to see that there were other "Lost Kids" (that's what my guidance counselor called me) but further that there were places trying to find us because we aren't as lost as some of our superiors like to think. Again Sir, thank you for all your work. It has not gone unnoticed nor was it in vain. If nothing else, you made at least one girl's life (and future) a little brighter. -Carina, 17St. Petersburg, FL


From the Trade Paperback edition.

Genres: Nonfiction, Education, College

448 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2000

Reviews

[Eowyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I really wanted this to be a list of interesting, cool colleges that aren't as well known with descriptions maybe in different categories. Instead, a very few colleges are profiled extensively in the different categories and then it also lists like every other college out there! The author seems to think that having every accredited college listed is a plus--I just want the obscure cool ones. And in the engineering section, the schools are the ones you already know that are impossible to get into. There is a list of others that are less known, but without descriptions. So I was disappointed. Also, this second edition is already over 10 years old and is laid out in this weird, confusing way--bad graphic design. Still I found some useful info, I guess.

[Peter Stern · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of scraps of paper with very interesting perspective, notes, factoids pasted together in a hard-to-figure-out definitely not linear narrative.

[Brent Barnard · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know anyone who is approaching the decision of where to go to college, I HIGHLY recommend this book. Actually, for anyone, it's great just learning about all the fascinating types of colleges there are out there. Of course, the best decision for most folks would be to go to a small Christian liberal arts college, but if you go anywhere else, you should check out the creative options Asher discusses. And he's funny, too! Hilarous! I wish he'd write another book on colleges!

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a fun and different look at choosing a college. The author has a real sense of humor and along with interesting information, has included some very funny material. We didn't find a LOT of new colleges to look at but did find some corroborating information.

[Whitney · Rating 2 out of 5]

exciting stuff!

[Rosanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish I would have read this when I was 14, 15 or 16. I had no idea there were so many different choices for college.

[Jacqui · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you have a child that learns differently or wants more than the traditional college campus experience, this book is for you.