At first glance on paper, college rankings and low acceptance rates are enticing for the college search—but should they be?

New York Times bestselling author and award-winning writer Jeff Selingo, an expert on college admissions and author of Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, wants high school students to think more broadly about what makes for a “good school”. When he spoke at Pingry in mid-October, he pointed out two aspects of those rankings and acceptance rates that might have surprised people: the top factor in college rankings is college presidents’ and college admission teams’ rankings of other schools, and the low acceptance rates simply mean that schools receive more applications for the same number of openings as in past years.

“We tend to equate quality with acceptance rate,” Mr. Selingo said, but the two are not related.

So, his question for students is, are they looking for prestige/brand in the college search...or are they looking for the right fit?

Before students put any names on their list, Mr. Selingo urges them to “think about what you want” from the college experience, and look at schools of different sizes and in different locations. Also, look at those rankings, but research a school that is not in the top 50 or top 100—go beyond the statistics to see what else a school has to offer. He even recommends that students tour one of their “safety” schools first and then compare it to their “reach” school. “You might find some hidden gems that you didn’t expect.”

What does Mr. Selingo say that a “dream school” should offer? A great transition into college (focusing on the first-year experience), connections (so students can learn from mentors and professors), and hands-on experiences (“nothing corresponds to post-graduate outcomes as much as having hands-on experiential learning in college” such as internships). He also shared a frequently asked question: What else can be done to get in? (How many more advanced courses...how many extracurricular activities...) His answer is “Focus on yourselves and what’s important to you in high school.” One of the dream schools on the list will be the right match.


Contact: Greg Waxberg ’96, Assistant Director of Communications, Writer/Editor