Published in 1996 and revised in 2000, Colleges That Change Lives is a timeless classic that reminds students about the tremendous potential that exists for them if they find the right college match.

Colleges That Change Lives features author Loren Pope’s choices for the top 40 liberal arts colleges and universities, based on his years of research as a journalist, as well as his direct interaction with students and graduates of the CTCL schools.

During his numerous “stealth” campus visits, Mr. Pope sought evidence that teaching was the foremost priority for faculty. At the CTCL schools, countless faculty, many of whom were schooled by or had taught at Ivy League universities, told him again and again that when they had arrived at the CTCL campus, they found a place where teaching and learning were “what I thought it was supposed to be like!”

Mr. Pope’s research reveals that while over time some names do change, some new buildings do appear, and so forth, the essence of the CTCL schools remain the same: true to their mission, these remarkable liberal arts colleges retain the ability to enrich and empower students, year after year, generation after generation. Certain qualities shared by the CTCL schools make this so:

learning is collaborative, not competitive
there is a discussion of values in the classrooms and elsewhere on campus
there is a sense of community and connection that goes well beyond 4 years of attendance
students are there to learn, not to just get a degree
students want to tell the story about how the college has changed them
the focus campuswide is on the transformation between orientation and graduation, rather than on the accomplishment of admitted students

When Colleges That Change Lives first appeared on the bookshelves in 1996, students, their parents, and college counselors alike praised Loren Pope’s sensible message and informed writing. Likewise, the CTCL schools were very pleased to have a nationally known author and former New York Times editor championing a message about the importance of a good college fit.

The 40 institutions profiled in Colleges That Change Lives have several common threads and characteristics, yet they are distinctive from and sometimes competitive with one another. Nonetheless, in 1998, the CTCL schools began working together to help spread the message about the long-term benefits of a good match between students and colleges to families. The CTCL events allow students, parents, and college counselors to learn more about Loren Pope’s methodology, other current research showcasing the CTCL programs and student outcomes, as well as the 40 individual colleges themselves.