Press Releases

All-New College Board Handbooks Connect Students to the College that is Right for Them

09/06/02

NEW YORK, NY -- When 1.8 million high school students this month begin the search for a college that is right for them, they will find all the help and information they need in the newly revised and updated editions of the College Board's library of college handbooks.

The volumes that make up this handy set of reference guides tell students and parents everything they need to know about the college application process.

The 2003 College Handbook ($26.95) is truly a valuable all-in-one resource. The Handbook's 2,195 pages contain hundreds of up-to-date facts about 3,600 two- and four-year colleges and universities from coast to coast.

"The College Board's College Handbook is a terrific tool for students and parents," said Director of Guidance Services Jack Joyce. "Whether a student is just beginning a search for colleges or is ready to select a college, the College Handbook provides details a family needs to know about virtually every two-year or four-year college or university."

In addition, the College Handbook spells out how best to approach the college choice process. Is a community college the best place to start? What are Early Decision and Early Action?

The Handbook contains much, much more, too. What is a particular college like? Who are the students? How much will it cost to apply? Does it offer the option of study abroad? What kind of housing does the college provide? Which sports - all the way from intramurals to the intercollegiate level - does the college offer?

The College Handbook also offers more information on Early Decision and early action policies at these institutions than any other college guide.

Once families have a short list of colleges that interest them, the newest edition of the College Board's Campus Visits & College Interviews ($12.95), by veteran guidance counselor Zola Dincin Schneider, can provide all the tips needed to plan campus visits and prepare for college interviews.

Included in Campus Visits are 14 handy checklists to help families track what they should do and what they can expect to learn.

Another approach to the college choice process is to research what majors are available. Which colleges offer a major in Biblical Languages? Or in Carpentry? How about one in Entrepreneurship or in International Business? Where is there a bachelor's program in Peace and Conflict Studies? Or an associate program in Sports Medicine or in Wildlife Management?

The answers to all these questions can be found in the newly revised and updated Index of Majors ($22.95). This 740-page volume contains information on 600 majors at the certificate, associate, bachelor's, master's or doctoral level.

For instance, the Index of Majors reveals that 41 colleges offer a bachelor's program in Peace and Conflict Studies; a similar number offer a bachelor's degree in Middle Eastern Studies. Thirty colleges feature master's or doctoral programs in Epidemiology while two dozen offer some degree in the Arabic language. And Firefighting? Well, 177 colleges offer programs in that field.

Written and edited with an eye to helping students and their parents find the money to pay for college is The 2003 College Costs and Financial Aid Handbook ($22.95). This 808-page volume really adds up. The College Costs book spells out the 20 questions that students and parents need to ask when inquiring about financial aid. And when they need to ask them.

Does financial need have an impact on admissions decisions? When should applications for need-based and merit aid be completed? If the financial aid package is insufficient, under what conditions, if any, will the aid office reconsider the offer? And much, much more..

"The College Costs and Financial Aid Handbook helps families to understand financial aid programs and the eligibility procedures," said Jack Joyce. "Details on colleges' programs and procedures, and worksheets describing the financial aid process, make students and parents more informed education consumers."

The College Costs book also provides the lowdown families will need on state 529 plans. And it describes how to apply for financial aid and how to do it right.

Finally, this year's updated edition of the 586-page Scholarship Handbook ($25.95) will help uncover 250 scholarships that can help families afford college.

Among this year's crop of new scholarships: the American Water Ski Educational Foundation Scholarship; the Center for Investigative Reporting Internship; two Costume Society of America Scholarships; the National Association of Insurance Women Scholarship; and the Vegetarian Resource Group Scholarship.

All these College Board handbooks are available in bookstores and in our store.

Electronic images of each book cover are available. Contact Jennifer Topiel at (212) 713-8052.