Oh no, not another ranking book!

Editor's note: The last thing we need in higher education is yet another college ranking book, but hey, that's what we just received in the mail this week so we'll report some of the findings to Newswire readers.
Kaplan Publishing, part of Simon & Schuster, has just released a book titled "The Unofficial Biased Insider's Guide to the 320 Most Interesting Colleges." Of course, Penn State is mentioned throughout.
As part of a national guidance counselor survey, Kaplan lists Penn State third on the list of recommended schools for "Best Value." "Weighing the quality of education vs. the cost, guidance counselors say that these schools offer the best value for your tuition dollar," according to the book's authors.
It should surprise no one that Penn State did not make the list of "Hidden Treasures," since the University is so well known. We did get listed fifth by Kaplan for "Best Career Services"--and that comes even before the new MBNA Career Services Building opens on campus in a few weeks. "Guidance counselors recommend these schools for their excellent career services, including their career centers, internship opportunities, and co-op programs," the book notes.
"You're only as good as the equipment you use," advises the college guide, and then it goes on to list Penn State ninth in the category of "Best Academic Facilities." As the guide explains, "These are the schools that guidance counselors say offer the best academic facilities, such as computer centers, science labs, and libraries."
Penn State also placed fifth for "Best Freshmen Housing" and made it on a list of mostly private schools that ranked institutions with the "Highest Academic Standards."
Harvard tops the list for "Hot and Trendy" institutions, but we are proud to say Penn State made it on this list of 31 "dream schools." Hot and Trendy institutions are "the ones with the best reputation or location or social scene... Guidance counselors say that these schools are the most popular among high school students this year."
Last, and we like to think least, Penn State did join the ranks of 20 schools guidance counselors rated high for parties and pranks, although several other Big Ten schools rank higher than us on that page.