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Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right For You | Jeff Selingo (Dad of 2, Author)

Sep 11, 2025

Guest

Jeff Selingo

Jeff Selingo, a bestselling author and higher-education expert, dives into the college admissions maze, drawing from his experience as a dad of two soon-to-be college students. He emphasizes the importance of finding the right fit over prestige, explaining how societal pressures shape choices. The conversation covers practical tools for parents, like the College Scorecard, and reframes 'dream school' around mentorship and experiential learning. Selingo also shares insights on balancing costs with educational value, equipping families for informed decisions.

55:06

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Episode notes

insights

INSIGHT

Expand Beyond The Usual Colleges

There are thousands of colleges beyond the familiar top 25 and families should widen their search aperture.
Evaluating what makes a good college requires specific criteria, not just brand recognition.

insights

INSIGHT

Application Boom Is Self-Reinforcing

Individual students now apply to many more colleges, driving a surge in total applications.
That application frenzy feeds on itself as each year's results increase anxiety for the next.

insights

INSIGHT

Marketing And Data Supercharge Frenzy

Colleges have greatly increased marketing and data availability, amplifying the information marketplace.
Internet forums and shared data accelerate frenzy and make admissions feel like a public, competitive market.

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Why Jeff Wrote Dream School and Application Boom

02:22 • 12min

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Moneyball Strategy, Metrics, and Early Applications

14:01 • 9min

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Parents' Role, Research Methods, and Survey Surprises

23:17 • 9min

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Defining Dream School: Fit, Mentorship, and Examples

31:51 • 8min

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Early Advice, AI, Cost Pressures, and Enrollment Changes

40:21 • 11min

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Follow Jeff, Lightning Round, Personal Insights

• Mentioned in 2 episodes

Dream School

Finding the College That’s Right for You

Jeff Selingo

#87

• Mentioned in 136 episodes

Moneyball

The Art of Winning an Unfair Game

Michael Lewis

The book tells the story of the Oakland Athletics' 2002 season, where General Manager Billy Beane and his assistant Paul DePodesta used advanced statistical analysis, known as sabermetrics, to assemble a competitive team despite a limited budget. The approach, pioneered by Bill James, focused on metrics such as on-base percentage and slugging percentage rather than traditional measures like batting average and runs batted in. This data-driven strategy allowed the Athletics to compete with teams having much larger payrolls, like the New York Yankees, and achieve significant success, including a 20-game winning streak and a playoff appearance.

Who Gets in and Why

A Year Inside College Admissions

Jeffrey J Selingo

Sean Patrick Hopkins

In 'Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions,' Jeffrey Selingo provides an insightful look into the college admissions process. Embedded in three different admissions offices—a selective private university, a leading liberal arts college, and a flagship public campus—Selingo observed the often agonizing and sometimes life-changing decisions made by admissions officers. He followed select students and their parents, and met with high school counselors, marketers, and other key figures in the admissions process. The book reveals that admissions decisions are frequently more about the college’s agenda than the applicant’s merit, considering factors like diversity, financial considerations, and the likelihood of enrollment. Selingo offers practical advice for students and parents, encouraging them to broaden their notion of what constitutes a 'good college'.

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