First published 2025
College admissions has become a lottery system where even high achievers face rejection from prestigious schools while families strain under financial pressure. Jeffrey Selingo, author of Who Gets In and Why, argues that students should abandon the "Top 25 or bust" approach and discover overlooked institutions that offer better value. Test-optional policies and grade inflation have made elite admissions increasingly random, but many quality schools remain accessible and affordable. Selingo surveyed 3,500 parents and conducted extensive research to identify what truly matters in higher education: strong job prospects, hands-on learning, and student belonging. He profiles 75 colleges that deliver these outcomes without the prestige premium. The book demonstrates why elite degrees matter less than commonly believed and why many families now prioritize value over brand names. Selingo transforms the overwhelming admissions process into a clear strategy for finding schools that match student needs and family budgets.
Genres: business, self-help, education, non-fiction, current-affairs
Vibes: accessible, empowering, informative, practical, thought-provoking
Tropes: case-studies, data-driven-narrative, expert-guidance
Period: 21st-century
352 pages · Hardcover · Scribner