🎙️ I had the great honor of welcoming back Jeff Selingo, New York Times bestselling author, journalist, and higher ed thought leader, for a follow-up conversation on the ever-changing world of college admissions. Jeff’s newest book, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, challenges families to think differently about what makes a college a “good fit.”

Here’s what we covered in this insightful episode ⬇️

✨ Key Topics Discussed

• 📈 Application Inflation: Same number of students, but more applications than ever.
• 📝 Test-Optional Policies: Why they’ve fueled stress for students — and why STEM/business applicants may need to submit scores.
• 🎯 Yield Management: How colleges manage uncertainty with deferrals, waitlists, and early admissions.
• 💰 Full-Pay Families: The “golden ticket” reality for certain institutions, especially small liberal arts colleges.
• 🔎 Institutional Priorities: Why it’s critical to research what a college truly values.
• 📊 Return on Investment: Using tools like the College Scorecard to weigh cost vs. career outcomes.
• 🏫 Hidden Gems: 75 schools delivering strong outcomes beyond the rankings.
• 🧭 Advice for Juniors: Start by identifying what you want in a college experience before making a list.
• 🛠️ Advice for Seniors: Be open to course corrections — plans may shift, and that’s okay.

🌟 Jeff reminds us: finding a “dream school” is about fit, belonging, and opportunity — not just rankings or name recognition.

📚 Learn more about Jeff and his work: jeffselingo.com (http://jeffselingo.com)

https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/

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👉 This episode is brought to you by Prep Expert, a proud sponsor of The College Admissions Process Podcast. Prep Expert offers award-winning test prep courses and strategies that have helped thousands of students improve their scores. For full details on their programs and guarantees, visit www.PrepExpert.com (https://www.prepexpert.com/) 🎯📚

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Straight From The Admissions Office: Insider Strategies For College Applications

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