Princeton Review ranks UMaine as top public school
Emma Potvin
Issue date: 9/17/07 Section: News
- Page 1 of 1
According to the Princeton Review, the University of Maine in Orono is one of the best universities in the country. The Review's annual list of the Best 366 Colleges was released in August.
The University was the only public university in Maine to make the list. However, several private universities were mentioned, including Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College and College of the Atlantic. The Princeton Review only chooses about 15 percent of the country's colleges annually to be counted as "best."
"This ranking also shows that UMaine students feel good about the UMaine undergraduate experience and that they are willing to tell others that UMaine provides both quality and value," said University President Robert Kennedy in a press release. "I can't imagine a better recommendation than one coming from our students."
The listing quoted anonymous UMaine students who gave their opinions on the student body, academics and campus life. One characterized fellow students as "boozers, stoners, foresters, adventurers, businessmen and straight-up Mainers." Another said, "You can wear what you want, say what you want, think what you want, and it's accepted." The review added the caveat that many students seemed to think UMaine was a place for Mainers. It said the "straight-up Mainer … isn't so welcoming to out-of-state folks."
The Review cited the inexpensive in-state tuition and top of the line programs as reasons to attend UMaine. It also stressed UMaine's personal touch.
The Princeton Review puts together its lists by surveying college students and staff at campuses and on their Web site, www.princetonreview.com. "Each of our rankings … will give you an unbiased and uncensored view of the chosen colleges," the Web site said. "Almost every ranking is based on what real experts - current college students - tell us about their school."
The survey includes 80 questions about everything from academics to the individual students. About 325 students per campus are surveyed, though the number fluctuates depending on the size of the school. After all the surveys are tallied, the top schools are added to the master list.
There is no numerical ranking system for the lists. The Review said they did this because "We don't believe any one school is the best overall. While academics are important ... we don't think academics should be the exclusive reason for choosing a school."
In addition to the 366 best schools, The Review also contains 62 ranking lists that name the best for each category. Categories include Best Classroom Experience, Most Diverse Student Body and Top Party School. Though UMaine did not make any of those lists, it was named one of the 222 Best Northeastern Colleges.
The University was the only public university in Maine to make the list. However, several private universities were mentioned, including Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College and College of the Atlantic. The Princeton Review only chooses about 15 percent of the country's colleges annually to be counted as "best."
"This ranking also shows that UMaine students feel good about the UMaine undergraduate experience and that they are willing to tell others that UMaine provides both quality and value," said University President Robert Kennedy in a press release. "I can't imagine a better recommendation than one coming from our students."
The listing quoted anonymous UMaine students who gave their opinions on the student body, academics and campus life. One characterized fellow students as "boozers, stoners, foresters, adventurers, businessmen and straight-up Mainers." Another said, "You can wear what you want, say what you want, think what you want, and it's accepted." The review added the caveat that many students seemed to think UMaine was a place for Mainers. It said the "straight-up Mainer … isn't so welcoming to out-of-state folks."
The Review cited the inexpensive in-state tuition and top of the line programs as reasons to attend UMaine. It also stressed UMaine's personal touch.
The Princeton Review puts together its lists by surveying college students and staff at campuses and on their Web site, www.princetonreview.com. "Each of our rankings … will give you an unbiased and uncensored view of the chosen colleges," the Web site said. "Almost every ranking is based on what real experts - current college students - tell us about their school."
The survey includes 80 questions about everything from academics to the individual students. About 325 students per campus are surveyed, though the number fluctuates depending on the size of the school. After all the surveys are tallied, the top schools are added to the master list.
There is no numerical ranking system for the lists. The Review said they did this because "We don't believe any one school is the best overall. While academics are important ... we don't think academics should be the exclusive reason for choosing a school."
In addition to the 366 best schools, The Review also contains 62 ranking lists that name the best for each category. Categories include Best Classroom Experience, Most Diverse Student Body and Top Party School. Though UMaine did not make any of those lists, it was named one of the 222 Best Northeastern Colleges.
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