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Book Review-Rugg's Recommendations

Resource to Assist Families in Choosing a College

Feb 28, 2009 Kerrie Troseth

Ever wonder which colleges have the best education in certain majors? Rugg's book can assist students to compile college lists based on majors.

One of the best resources on the shelves of school counselor offices is Rugg's Recommendation on the Colleges by Frederick E. Rugg. The book provides a simple manner to which students can view interested majors and the institutions that provide a degree in that area.

Background of the Book

Frederick E. Rugg is a former high school counselor. While in practice he received the same type of question from parents and students pertaining to colleges - what colleges have the best (fill in the blank) major? Rugg, through extensive research and surveying of school counselors, developed a book that is focused on matching specific majors to colleges with the best programming.

Outline of the Book

This is a very user friendly resource. The book lists over 100 different majors in alphabetical order. With each major the book lists matching colleges,which then are divided into three categories: Most Selective, Highly Selective, and Selective. Furthermore, the colleges are coded as small, moderate, medium, large, or extra large enrollment size. Additionally, the back of the book contains all of the colleges previously mentioned and the average SAT and ACT scores of the schools.

Positives of the Book

Extensive research has already been done. This research completed by experts in the field of college counseling.
College lists are divided into selectivity. This allows students to find the category that best fits their ability.
Most popular majors are listed and some nontraditional ones as well.
Easy to use.
Affordable. Priced at $23.95.
Updated regularly. Currently in it's 26th edition.

Limitations

Majors in the book. While cited previously, the book contains the most popular major. Not as popular majors are grouped into another category or not listed at all. For example, Spanish and Chinese are not listed as majors, but they are grouped into one category called Foreign Languages.
Limited information. The book provides lists, which is it's intent. That is the primary makeup of the book. Students looking to judge colleges on other factors will not find the information in this book.

Rugg's is a definite resource for college bound students who are definite in their intended major(s). Students who do not have a specific major in mind willl not need to use this resource, and another book may be more valuable. The lists are short and definite, which helps to narrow the college choices immensely.

This book may be purchased at a local bookstore or online and is readily available. Additionally, school counselors and libraries supplement this book in their college resource collection. The book is very popular among college counselors because Rugg has done the legwork for them. Rugg's Recommendation on the Colleges is a valuable resource for students, families, and counselors.

The copyright of the article Book Review-Rugg's Recommendations in Colleges is owned by Kerrie Troseth. Permission to republish Book Review-Rugg's Recommendations in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

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