This annual reference book presents descriptions of the approximately 350 colleges and universities with the highest proportion of incoming freshmen who come from the high-achieving group. The 1993-1994 edition describes 359 "leading colleges." An opening section discusses the guide's criteria for a competitive college, gives suggestions for making the best of a college visit, offers pointers on paying for college, and explains the format for the school descriptions which follow. Each institution is described in a single page format containing a brief overall description and information on academic program, student body, faculty, college life, athletics, housing, career planning support, application procedures, prior year freshman class data, and costs and financial aid. Extensive indexes provide access by: college majors, colleges costing $7,000 or less, colleges reporting 50 percent or more need-based financial aid recipients, 10 largest colleges, 10 smallest colleges, colleges accepting fewer than half of their applicants, colleges requiring all students to take a computer course, single-sex colleges, predominantly African-American colleges, colleges with religious affiliation, public colleges, and colleges reporting 70 percent or more students completing a degree. Final sections contain descriptions of competitive arts colleges and conservatories and a geographical index of colleges. (JB)