The Princeton Review Releases Free "Guide to 322 Green Colleges" in Partnership With the U.S. Green Building Council

NEW YORK, April 17, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- As the nation gears up to celebrate Earth Day on April 22, The Princeton Review (www.PrincetonReview.com), in collaboration with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) (www.usgbc.org), today released the third annual edition of its unique, free guidebook saluting the nation's most environmentally responsible "green colleges."

"The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2012 Edition" profiles 322 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. The 232-page book—the only free, comprehensive, annually updated guide to green colleges—can be downloaded at www.princetonreview.com/green-guide and www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide. The Guide was developed with generous support from United Technologies Corp (www.utc.com), founding sponsor of the Center for Green Schools.

The Princeton Review, well known for its education and test-prep services, first created this one-of-a-kind resource for college-bound students in 2010 in collaboration with USGBC, which is best-known for developing the LEED green building rating system. In 2010, USGBC launched its Center for Green Schools (www.centerforgreenschools.org) to increase its efforts to drive change in how campuses and schools are designed, constructed and operated so that all educational facilities can enhance student learning experiences.

College applicants using the guide will find in it:

• School profiles with application, admission, financial aid and student enrollment information
• "Green Highlights" write-ups detailing each school's most impressive environmental and sustainability initiatives
• "Green Facts" sidebars reporting statistics and facts on everything from the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies programs, and green jobs career guidance
• A glossary of 40+ green terms and acronyms from AASHE to "zero waste"
• Lists identifying schools in the book with various green distinctions – among them: those with LEED-certified buildings and those that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.

The guidebook also has an introductory section discussing sustainability issues and advice on living green on campus.

"College-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues," said Robert Franek, Senior VP/Publisher, The Princeton Review. "Among 7,445 college applicants who participated in our 2012 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' nearly 7 out of 10 (68 percent) told us that having information about a school's commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school," he added. "Together with USGBC, we are pleased to make this free resource available to all students seeking to attend colleges that practice, teach and support environmentally-responsible choices. To that end, we highly recommend the terrific schools in this book."

"In this unique period of time during their college search, prospective students and their parents have a combined buying power of at least $464 billion. Colleges and universities need to demonstrate a deep commitment to sustainability to the 68 percent of students who say that a school's commitment to sustainability is part of their decision making process," said Rachel Gutter, director of the Center for Green Schools at USGBC. "We're glad to be able to offer a resource like The Princeton Review Guide to help make our future college student's decisions a little easier."

How Schools Were Chosen for the Book

The Princeton Review chose the 322 schools based on a survey it conducted in 2011 of hundreds of colleges across the U.S. and in Canada to tally its annual "Green Rating" scores (scaled from 60 to 99) of colleges for its school profiles in its college guidebooks and website. The survey asks administrators more than 50 questions about their institution's sustainability-related policies, practices and programs. The Company tallied Green Ratings for 768 institutions in summer 2011. The 322 schools in this guide received scores of 83 or above in that assessment. (Note: The Princeton Review does not rank the schools in this guide hierarchically (1 to 322) according to their Green Rating scores, nor does it include those scores in this book's school profiles.) Information about The Princeton Review's Green Rating methodology and its "Green Honor Roll" list saluting schools that received Green Ratings of 99 is at www.princetonreview.com/green.aspx.

About The Princeton Review

The Princeton Review (www.princetonreview.com) has been a pioneer and leader in helping students achieve their higher education goals for 30 years through college and graduate school test preparation, private tutoring, and more than 150 print and digital publications. The team includes over 5,000 teachers and tutors in the US and Canada, and a network of international franchisees. The Princeton Review provides students and their parents with the resources to research, apply to, prepare for, and learn how to pay for higher education. The company also partners with schools and guidance counselors worldwide to assist in college readiness, test preparation and career planning services, helping more students pursue postsecondary education.

About the U.S. Green Building Council

The U.S. Green Building Council is committed to a prosperous and sustainable future through cost-efficient and energy-saving green buildings. USGBC works toward its mission of market transformation through its LEED green building certification program, robust educational offerings, a nationwide network of chapters and affiliates, the annual Greenbuild International Conference & Expo, and advocacy in support of public policy that encourages and enables green buildings and communities. For more information, visit usgbc.org and connect on

Twitter, Facebook and LinkedIn.

About the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council

The Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is how USGBC is making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a green school within this generation. From the kindergartner entering the classroom to the Ph.D. student performing research in a lab, the Center provides the resources and support to elevate dialogue, accelerate policy and institute innovation toward green schools and campuses. Thanks in part to generous support from founding sponsor United Technologies Corporation (www.utc.com), the Center works directly with staff, teachers, faculty, students, administrators, elected officials and communities to drive the transformation of all schools into sustainable places to live and learn, work and play. For more information, please visit www.centerforgreenschools.org.

United Technologies Corp. based in Hartford, Connecticut, is a diversified company providing energy-efficient products and services to the global aerospace and building industries. UTC's products include Pratt & Whitney aircraft engines, Sikorsky helicopters, Carrier heating, air conditioning and refrigeration systems, Hamilton Sundstrand aerospace systems and industrial products, Otis elevators and escalators, and UTC Power fuel cells. More information can be found at www.utc.comand at www.powerofefficiency.com.

WEBSITES:

www.princetonreview.com/green-guide

www.centerforgreenschools.org/greenguide

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SOURCE The Princeton Review