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Table of Contents
About The Book
From the New York Times bestselling author of Who Gets In and Why, a must-have playbook for families coping with a more stressful era of startling low admission rates and sky-high prices—one that widens the aperture beyond the Top 25 schools and connects students, parents, and counselors with quality, affordable choices.
Attending college has long been a rite of passage for millions of teens and a bedrock of the American dream. But that well-worn path has lately taken a wrong turn, denying admission even to super-achievers and putting intolerable stress on family finances. Now, in Dream School Jeffrey Selingo shifts the spotlight from how colleges pick students to how students can better pick colleges.
With test-optional policies and grade inflation leveling the playing field for applicants, getting into prestigious schools has become a kind of lottery. “Plan A” may work out, but increasingly it isn’t—so Selingo urges families to ditch the “Top 25 or bust” mindset and look beyond the usual suspects. Hidden-gem schools with incredible value and rich opportunities are waiting to be discovered. Backed by unparalleled research—and an eye-opening survey of 3,500 parents—Dream School reveals what really matters in a college: strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning experiences, and a sense of belonging. To help students find their perfect match, Selingo highlights 75 accessible and affordable colleges that will satisfy those priorities.
Organized into three easy-to-digest sections, Dream School explains why elite college degrees turn out to matter less than you think, why many parents and students are choosing value over prestige, and how to make sure the degree really pays off. In these pages, Selingo’s engaging style and expert insights turn what is often an unnavigable maze into a clear roadmap.
Destined to become the ultimate guide for families crossing the perilous college admissions landscape, Dream School isn’t just a book—it’s a lifeline for those who can find themselves trapped in an overwhelming process.
Attending college has long been a rite of passage for millions of teens and a bedrock of the American dream. But that well-worn path has lately taken a wrong turn, denying admission even to super-achievers and putting intolerable stress on family finances. Now, in Dream School Jeffrey Selingo shifts the spotlight from how colleges pick students to how students can better pick colleges.
With test-optional policies and grade inflation leveling the playing field for applicants, getting into prestigious schools has become a kind of lottery. “Plan A” may work out, but increasingly it isn’t—so Selingo urges families to ditch the “Top 25 or bust” mindset and look beyond the usual suspects. Hidden-gem schools with incredible value and rich opportunities are waiting to be discovered. Backed by unparalleled research—and an eye-opening survey of 3,500 parents—Dream School reveals what really matters in a college: strong job prospects after graduation, hands-on learning experiences, and a sense of belonging. To help students find their perfect match, Selingo highlights 75 accessible and affordable colleges that will satisfy those priorities.
Organized into three easy-to-digest sections, Dream School explains why elite college degrees turn out to matter less than you think, why many parents and students are choosing value over prestige, and how to make sure the degree really pays off. In these pages, Selingo’s engaging style and expert insights turn what is often an unnavigable maze into a clear roadmap.
Destined to become the ultimate guide for families crossing the perilous college admissions landscape, Dream School isn’t just a book—it’s a lifeline for those who can find themselves trapped in an overwhelming process.
About The Author
Photograph by Stephen Voss
Jeffrey Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than two and a half decades and is a New York Times bestselling author of three books. Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions takes readers inside the admissions offices of three selective universities and was named among the 100 Notable Books of the year by The New York Times. Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right For You is based on two-plus years of research and an original survey of 3,500 parents. A regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Jeff is a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He also writes a biweekly newsletter on all things higher ed called Next and cohosts the podcast, Future U. He lives near Washington, DC, with his family.
Product Details
- Publisher: Scribner (September 9, 2025)
- Length: 352 pages
- ISBN13: 9781668056202
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Raves and Reviews
“Jeff Selingo is a voice of calm and clarity [and] Dream School is the book we've been waiting for to help families broaden their lens and focus their perspective on what matters most—their values and the value they seek from a college education in America.”
—Ned Johnson, bestselling coauthor of The Self-Driven Child: The Science and Sense of Giving Your Kids More Control Over Their Lives
“Part myth-buster, part blueprint, Dream School offers families a clear, research-backed path to a meaningful college experience that is worth the investment. Dream School is more than a book—it’s a movement aimed at redefining college admissions. With groundbreaking research, Jeffrey Selingo dismantles the ‘Top 25 or bust’ mindset and replaces it with a saner, more innovative approach to higher education.”
—Jennifer Breheny Wallace, New York Times bestselling author of Never Enough
“Selingo masterfully examines why a student’s ideal college choice isn’t always initially obvious. ….While acknowledging, but not overemphasizing, the advantages of elite colleges, he points out the value of experiences such as internships and micro-credentials, which can help level the playing field among institutions….Dream School is a must read for students and parents navigating the complex college selection process.”
—Gene Block, former Chancellor of UCLA
“A dream resource for any student and family choosing among college opportunities. The book argues that there are many accessible and affordable institutions that, while lesser known, offer real value to students. With clear-eyed discussions of topics like admission rates, costs, debt, and career preparation, Dream School will inform and empower its readers—and inspire them.”
—Daniel R. Porterfield, President and CEO of The Aspen Institute and author of Mindset Matters: The Power of College to Activate Lifelong Growth
“Incredibly informative, highly engaging, thoroughly researched, and deeply empathetic. This book delivers on every level.”
—Lindsey Pollak, New York Times bestselling author of Getting from College to Career: Your Essential Guide to Succeeding in the Real World
“Dream School is the desperately needed, level-headed college admissions guide that we have been waiting for. Jeff Selingo's sane and seasoned voice cuts through the madness, offering a refreshingly practical approach to choosing where to apply.”
—Lisa Damour, PhD, New York Times bestselling author of The Emotional Lives of Teenagers
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- Book Cover Image (jpg): Dream School Hardcover 9781668056202
- Author Photo (jpg): Jeffrey Selingo Photograph by Stephen Voss(0.1 MB)
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