<p>We have the Fiske Guide and the other <em>usual</em> books ... has anyone used this book as a resource? We're wondering if it's worthwhile ...</p>
<p>ISI College Guide, Choosing the Right College: The Whole Truth about Americas Top Schools by Jeremy Beer</p>
<p>I have read it and found it fairly useful as it provides details on curriculum and insights into social aspects of various schools not available elsewhere. However, when I mentioned it here, several people were of the opinion that it is not useful because they felt it had a "conservative agenda." Didn't bother me (I like to get input from all sides) but I guess it does bother some folks. Still, a useful data point in my mind.</p>
<p>Thanks, Carolyn. A friend recommended it to my D ... didn't realize it had a conservative slant, but we may check it out nonetheless.</p>
<p>Also used it and it's quite informative. As advertised a conservative slant that needs to be discounted. Gives a better feel for the curriculum than most guides.</p>
<p>I read it too. "Conservative bent" is a little euphemistic - and I consider myself a conservative! On the other hand, it does have useful information, particularly about curriculum. One of the points of the book is the "death" of the core curriculum, so the descriptions of the different schools raise various issues about requirements, and the pros and cons of general education requirements - probably of more interest to most parents than to the kids, but still education is what it is about.
They list respected teachers/departments at each school, and of interest, at the schools we visited we heard the same names mentioned (maybe the tours are where the authors got their info).
A number of Catholic and Christian colleges are listed that aren't discussed much elsewhere.</p>