University Newswire
Contact:
Scott Bigelow | 910.521.6351 | scott.bigelow@uncp.edu
University Communications and Marketing
Wednesday, August 22, 2007
UNCP on Princeton Review’s ‘Best Colleges’ list
Princeton Review named The University of North Carolina at Pembroke one of its “2008 Best Colleges: Region by Region” in the Southeastern region for the third consecutive year.
The publication was released online on August 21 by Princeton Review, an education services company headquartered in New York. The company draws primarily from surveys of students to compile its ratings.
UNCP was also named a “Best Value College” by Princeton Review in 2007. The publications are available in bookstores, newsstands and online and includes 654 universities. UNCP is one of 146 institutions spotlighted in the Southeast region.
The lists are based on more than 120,000 student surveys that ask “what life is really like at the nation’s top schools.” Categories range from academics to social life to financial aid.
Chancellor Allen C. Meadors said the Princeton Review’s publications are important guides for prospective college students.
“Because the Princeton Review obtains its data from student surveys, it is an important guide,” Chancellor Meadors said. “However, there is no better way to judge a university than to see it for yourself.
“UNC Pembroke is very pleased to continue to rank among the nation’s finest universities in the Princeton Review,” he said.
UNCP’s institutional statement notes, “combining the opportunities available at a large university with the personal attention characteristic of a small college, the University provides an intellectually challenging environment created by a faculty dedicated to effective teaching, to interaction with students, and to scholarship.”
In a summary of student surveys, Princeton Review said, “‘UNCP is the melting pot school in North Carolina,’” students tell us, and it's hard to argue with them. (Students) most of whom are down-to-earth and ‘were not born with a silver spoon in their mouth.’ UNCP is home to ‘all races, ages, and political views,’ as well as a substantial nontraditional population that makes up ‘about one third of the students here,’ approximates one undergrad.”
Six student testimonials are included:
- “I've talked to friends who go to big schools, and when they tell me they sometimes feel alone and just a number, I know I made the right decision for me by coming to UNC Pembroke.” Jessica Ortiz-Carrero, Esther Maynor Honor's College, '07
- “UNC Pembroke offered me the opportunity to be different, to reinvent myself, to become the person I always wanted to be. I got the feeling that I could blossom there.” Megan Grimsley, Pre Med, '07
- “I fell in love with the way UNCP treated the educational experience. It has surely been a good match.” Jennifer Henley, Nursing, '07
- “Beyond all the proven academics and the fact that UNCP graduates get good jobs in today's economy, it just felt right.” Brent Tyler, Criminal Justice, '08
- "UNC Pembroke did the best job of answering my needs. No fanciful depictions of easy classes and lots of free time to entice me. I'm positive about UNC Pembroke and excited about my prospects as an elementary education teacher. Alicia Hill, Elementary Education, Volleyball Team, '07.
“We commend these institutions for their excellent academics and we believe our choices offer applicants and their parents in these regions a wide range of fine schools to consider applying to,” said Robert Franck, a spokesman for Princeton Review. “The regions include the Northeast, Midwest, Southeast and West. The University of North Carolina at Pembroke is one of 146 schools on the site receiving our “Best in the Southeast” designation.
The publication may be viewed online at www.princetonreview.com/college/research/regional/
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