It’s hard to know how much—if any—credence to give to various college guidebook surveys. That said, the Princeton Review reports that Stanford is the top “dream school” for college applicants.
Time magazine, in its coverage of the survey, wrote, “The Ivy League stalwarts have been upended by universities on the left coast. We’re chalking this one up to the weather (just a hunch).”
Princeton Review surveyed more than 8,000 high schoolers involved in the college application process. It asked: “What school would you attend if acceptance or cost weren’t issues?” Stanford claimed the top spot, the Princeton Review says, followed by Harvard.
The Princeton Review also asked 4,000 parents what their dream school was for their children. In that survey, Stanford came in second to Harvard.
The “dream school” survey is part of a larger survey called “College Hopes and Worries.” Among the other findings:
- 69 percent of parents and students report that their level of stress about the college application process is “very high” or “high.”
- 72 percent of students and parents say the economy has affected their decisions about college.
- Parent estimates of college costs—around $75,000 annually—were much higher than those of students.
- 90 percent of parents and students said financial aid would be necessary.
- Both groups see the main benefit of a college degree to be a better job and higher income.
- Half of parents would like to see their children less than 250 miles away; 66 percent of students would like to be farther than 250 miles from home.
- A majority of both groups said that knowing more about a college’s commitment to environmental issues would contribute to their decision.
See the survey at the Princeton Review website.
