Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You

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 more than 3,000 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.

Author: Jeffrey Selingo
Publisher: Scribner Book Company
Published: 09/09/2025
Pages: 352
Binding Type: Hardcover
Weight: 1.13lbs
Size: 8.75h x 6.91w x 1.18d
ISBN: 9781668056202


Review Citation(s):
Publishers Weekly 06/09/2025
Library Journal 08/01/2025 pg. 76

About the Author
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 more than 3,000 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.