2
college rankings exposed
TM
www.petersons.com
in hand, and take turns narrating the sites. Classroom and administrative
buildings slowly roll by as we hear how the strength of the university is its
large menu of academic programs and degrees. Students can study abroad,
complete internships, change majors, and eventually settle on dual degrees.
There are, we are reassured, "many paths to success."
"Any questions?" asks Susan. A few heads shake no.
We park near the library. The door opens and we head out for a short
stroll through the heart of the campus, Robert and Susan walking back-
ward so they can maintain eye contact and answer questions. The group
passes the oldest and most distinguished buildings and well-groomed
flowerbeds and briefly explores the architecture of Old Main where, some-
where above, the president's office is located. Classes are ending as we are
led into a three-story building, move briskly though hallways, and briefly
peer into an empty classroom. About 30 chairs are lined in messy rows,
facing a wooden lectern and chalkboard.
Outside, questions are again invited and this time a mother speaks
up. "Are all classes that small?" she asks. Robert hesitates only slightly.
There are some large lecture halls, he acknowledges, but adds that small
classes are, indeed, typical. There are plenty of opportunities for interac-
tion with faculty, he adds.
We board the bus again, heading off campus for a short swing through
the surrounding college town. Now we hear about the diversity of extra-
curricular opportunities including sports, golf courses, fitness equipment,
and free football tickets. Fraternities and sororities are popular and enrich
the community with many valuable service projects, we're told. There are
lots of places to eat on campus and prospective students can look forward
to "pretty good food." A brief traffic jam stops the bus and Robert and
Susan now fill time by teaching us the university cheer. We practice.
"Louder!" they encourage. We oblige.
The final stop is through one of the large multistory residence hall com-
plexes. A special key opens an outside door and we squeeze into a sample
