What college comes to mind when you hear the phrase “dream school?” For most students–and parents–it’s one with a ridiculously low admit rate, a high cost of attendance, and likely a sink-or-swim academic experience. Sounds dreamy, doesn’t it? Wouldn’t it be nice if your dream school were one with an attainable acceptance rate, a reasonable price tag, and a campus culture where you would thrive? Why isn’t it? And why shouldn’t it be? 

Those are a couple of questions that higher education expert Jeffrey Selingo poses in his latest book, Dream School. Dream School’s precursor, Who Gets In and Why, focused on the considerations colleges make when selecting students; this one centers on the decisions students make when selecting colleges. It covers a range of topics, including the college experience inside and outside the classroom, career outcomes, and the financial value of various institutions.

Selingo begins with a recap of the head-spinning current state of college admissions, reminding us how it got to where it is. He repeatedly points out that many American families fixate on roughly 30 of the thousands of colleges in America. In the end, he makes a compelling case for why families should dream about a different set of schools.

If you are a high school student or parent of one and you are reading this newsletter, you must read this book. For any of you who are working with me, it will provide invaluable context for why I recommend the colleges I do. Let’s reframe our thinking based on facts and get you into your dream school!