National higher education guide, Colleges of Distinction, has named the University of New Haven a “College of Distinction” for the fourth year in a row.

Colleges on this list are assessed in four key areas: engaged students, great teaching, vibrant campus communities, and successful graduate outcomes. This is a very high honor in the world of higher education.

Colleges of Distinction was created because of a lack of consideration for the things that really matter when students are choosing a college or university to go to. There were lots of rankings of “top schools” but they did not take into account the success of the graduates, the campus atmosphere, or the quality of its teaching.

The list was created to give students, parents and high schools information to choose colleges wisely rather than based off of an ambiguous ranking. This list focuses on colleges that truly help students to grow and succeed; they look for schools that take a holistic approach to their admissions processes, excel in undergraduate education and have a national reputation.

Colleges of Distinction also gives students, parents and counselors an unbiased look into schools’ actual admissions processes, tools for self-assessment, and provides insights and advice from college admissions professionals, high school counselors, students and parents.

This list is basically made by students and what would be the most rewarding experience and education; it is truly an honor to be included on this list at all, let alone four times.

Colleges of Distinction does not rank the schools on its list; each school on the list has equal ranking. Schools are nominated by high school guidance counselors and other various education professionals and then the schools are evaluated based on qualitative and quantitative research.

The selection process reviews the following factors: the school’s first-year experience, general education program, experiential learning opportunities, strategic planning and alumni success and satisfaction.

“This prestigious honor is a testament to the dedicated members of the University’s senior leadership team, our committed staff and faculty and, especially, our talented and hard-working students and alumni,” said President Kaplan.

“Thank you to everyone who played a role in UNH achieving this impressive recognition.”