What's A Parent to Do?

Anne D. Neal has spent more than two decades advancing higher education reform, first at the National Endowment for the Humanities and then at the American Council of Trustees and Alumni. She received her undergraduate and law degrees from Harvard University.

• ForewordPrefaceZeroing in on Your SchoolsChapter 1: Brace YourselfChapter 2: Make a Match Doing ResearchChapter 3: Insist on Academic SubstanceChapter 4: Look for Serious and Responsible TeachingChapter 5: Understand Campus Culture and Dorm LifeChapter 6: Get the Facts on Drinking and SocializingChapter 7: Put A Premium on Free SpeechChapter 8: Aim for Four Years and OutChapter 9: Learn the Real Cost (by Dr. Richard Vedder)Chapter 10: Visit with Eyes OpenRemaining InvolvedChapter 11: Stay ConnectedChapter 12: Conclusion: Jump Right In!Postscript: Take ActionAcknowledgmentsSelecting a College ChecklistAppendix AAppendix BEndnotes

Every prospective college student and parent should be grateful that Anne Neal wrote this book! She shows clearly how to evaluate the school itself and not just the nice brochure: how to find out what is – and is not – actually taught in classes; the real deal on financial aid; why to avoid “party schools” altogether; how to find out if actual faculty teach courses or whether teaching is routinely handed off to doctoral candidates, and more. No one should invest four years or more and tens of thousands of dollars or more without Ms. Neal’s expert guidance.