Wednesday, August 04, 2010

For the seventh consecutive year, the University of North Carolina Wilmington has earned recognition as one of the best colleges and universities in the Southeast.

UNC Wilmington is part of an elite group of institutions the Princeton Review recommends in its "Best in the Southeast" section its 2011 Best Colleges: Region by Region feature on www.PrincetonReview.com. Only about 25 percent of the nation's more than 2,500 four-year colleges are included on the "region's best" lists.

Robert Franek, president of publishing for the Princeton Review, said, "We're pleased to recommend UNCW to users of our site as one of the best schools to earn their undergrad degree."

Institutions included in the "region's best" lists were chosen primarily for their excellent academic programs. Schools are selected based on institutional data, campus visits, college counselor and advisor recommendations and other information. Student experiences, as reported in an 80-question by students who attend each campus, also carried a significant weight in the selection process.

Only schools that allowed the independent surveying of their students are eligible to be considered for the "region's best" lists. UNCW student comments were focused on the quality of campus life and the wide variety of things to do on campus and in the community.

UNCW Chancellor Rosemary DePaolo said, "It is most gratifying to know that praise from our own students contributed to our place on the Princeton Review's list. UNCW is proud to be recognized among such a prestigious group of universities. This review indicates that UNCW is meeting its number one goal – to provide our students with the most powerful learning experience possible, even in these tough economic times."

The Princeton Review has been a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals for 28 years through college and graduate school test preparation and tutoring. With more than 165 print and digital publications and a free website, the company provides students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for and learn how to pay for higher education.

Related interviews are available to media by request.

Media Contact:
Joy Davis, Marketing and Communications, 910.632.3903 or davisjc@uncw.edu