Defining Dream School: Fit, Mentorship, and Examples

Jeff reframes 'dream school' as fit—learning style, mentorship, first-year scaffolding, skills and experiential learning—and gives underappreciated examples (e.g., Dickinson, St. Olaf, Denison, honors programs).

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In this episode of Startup Dad, Adam Fishman sits down with Jeff Selingo, a bestselling author, journalist and education expert, to discuss the complexities of college admissions and how parents can help their kids find their "Dream School." Jeff has spent over two decades researching higher education and is the author of Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You, Who Gets in and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions, There Is Life After College: What Parents and Students Should Know About Navigating School to Prepare for the Jobs of Tomorrow, and College Unbound: The Future of Higher Education and What it Means for Students. As a dad of two nearly college-bound kids, Jeff offers a unique perspective on navigating the college decision-making process from the lens of a parent and expert. We discussed:

Breaking down the college admissions process: Why it’s important to look beyond the Ivy League schools and focus on the best fit for your child.
The concept of "Dream Schools": What makes a school the right fit and how to identify it.
Parents' influence on the process: How societal pressures and the desire for prestige can shape college decisions.
Finding value in education: The importance of ROI, Merit Aid, and balancing prestige with affordability.
Tools for parents: Resources like the College Scorecard and how to use them to make informed decisions.

Where to find Jeff Selingo