The Virgin Guide to Universities was recommended to me by a friend whose daughter had used it to great effect the previous year. It was the best present I could have bought for my daughter who was in a real muddle about which universities to apply for and what course to go for. This guide stands out for its no-nonsense, honest and well-researched information. I really liked the way it was laid out so you could dip in and dip out and didn't feel swamped by it.The opening chapter on how to write the personal statement was practical too. My daughter liked the "what's it really like" views of current students as it made the whole overwhelming process seem alot more human and manageable.Excellent.