<p>I am just beginning my college research and I would like to know if any of you knew of any good websites or books that would help the research process. Thanks!</p>
<p>you are at the best place right now lol</p>
<p>you also might want to google the US News College Rankings as another reference</p>
<p>Lightheaded:</p>
<p>The best guidebook, IMO, is the Fiske Guide to Colleges. Instead a bunch of rankings, it gives a two page capsule report on each college or university. A lot of us parents found this approach entertaining and quite accurate is sizing up what each school is all about.</p>
<p>As a pure source of data, it's hard to beat the USNEWS online edition ($9.95 for a year). It has the usual rankings charts, but of far more value is the ability to sort the schools by any statistical measure (median SATS, selectivity, admissions rate, student/faculty ratio, academic peer rating, etc.). I found this really helpful in the search for the holy grail (best schools that are the easiest to get into!). In addition to the charts, there is all of the available info for each school (percentage qualifying for financial aid, percentage of varsity athletes, percentage of frats, diversity, and so on and so forth).</p>
<p>Finally, if you are looking at very selective colleges, a book called The Gatekeepers is essential reading. A NYTIMES reporter spend a year following an admissions officer at Wesleyan. Really, really helpful in learning how to "think like an adcom". Entertaining summer read, as well. Guaranteed eye-opener.</p>
<p>This site is by far ur best bet, also princetonreview.com, collegeboard.com, petersons.com, studentsreview.com for some students' perspectives, plus there are plenty of college guides and such at borders/barnes n nobles, etc...</p>
<p>I've gathered many resources related to the college search and admissions process on my website --- just got tired of posting them here on CC and having them fade into oblivian so decided to centralize them somewhere where others could find them. I add to them almost daily. Don't want to get in trouble with the moderators by posting the address, but you can access it by clicking on my name, then "Go to Carolyn's personal webpage."</p>