by Frank Bruni
First published 2015
Frank Bruni tackles the destructive culture surrounding American college admissions. The New York Times columnist argues that families have transformed the application process into a source of terror and devastation. Students endure test preparation, private tutoring, and elaborate strategies while obsessing over rankings. Too many believe their entire future depends on acceptance letters from prestigious institutions. Bruni dismantles this harmful thinking with concrete evidence. He presents statistics and surveys proving that Ivy League schools hold no exclusive claim to corporate leadership, political office, or major academic honors. The book profiles highly successful individuals who attended various types of colleges. Bruni shows how different institutions can launch remarkable careers. He provides practical guidance for maximizing any college experience. The author emphasizes that student effort matters more than institutional prestige. What students accomplish inside and outside classrooms determines their trajectory, not the name printed on their degree. This book offers parents and students a healthier perspective on higher education and a way forward beyond admissions anxiety.
Genres: american, education, non-fiction, academic
Vibes: intimate, thought-provoking
Tropes: non-fiction
224 pages · Hardcover · Grand Central Publishing