I’ve recently discovered a gem in the way of college and university guides. It is entitled Cool Colleges for the Hyper-Intelligent, Self-Directed, Late Blooming, and just Plain Different by Donald Asher. Obviously written by a gifted man, it seems to be the ideal read for anyone interested in this column.
Meet a Kindred Spirit
Immediately upon reading the introduction, gifted and talented teens see a welcoming, understandable and captivating portrayal of themselves. The author brings to light the dreams that bright teens never think possible. “Different” teens do not feel dissimilar here. The author himself is passionately writing about his own experiences as a unique student.
Thorough Coverage: Unusual Institutes for Unusual Intellectuals
The book does not review all schools, but it does an excellent job of covering the best of them. There is information on the best Prep Colleges, Ivy League Colleges, Scholarly Colleges, Great Books Programs, Innovative Colleges, Entrepreneurial Studies, Engineering Schools, Military Schools, Work Colleges, Minority Colleges, and other ideas if none of the above are for you. At the back of the book is a complete directory of all the colleges and universities in the United states and Canada.
The Prep Colleges section has information on colleges that you never knew existed. It is both fascinating and encouraging to learn that such schools exist. The Ivy League Colleges section speaks truthfully about the most competitive colleges and it doesn’t have the bias that individual college guides do. The Scholarly Colleges section informs students about colleges that still believe in changing a student for the better as their minds are expanded in study. The Great Books Programs section is designed for those who could spend their lives in the library, discovering the world through the writings of famous others. The Innovative College section focuses on colleges that have curricula or schedules far from the norm. For example, one values wilderness education and many don’t give percentage grades. The Entrepreneurial section focuses on schools that prepare students for demanding business careers. The Engineering Section speaks of high-in- demand professionals and millionaires, like Bill Gates. The Military Schools section gives fair reviews of schools of aviation, sailing and armed forces. The Work Colleges section is very interesting in that the schools all believe that work should be an enjoyable part of an education. The Minority Colleges section brings to light single-gender colleges as well as Hispanic and past Black Colleges. Lastly, the section which focuses on other ideas suggests religious, specialty, and heritage schools. Very unusual programs and traveling opportunities are also mentioned. I highly
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