The Truth about College Admission The Truth About Dream Schools - Jeff Selingo
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Jan 27, 2026 
Jeff Selingo, journalist and bestselling author who writes about higher education, discusses why he wrote Dream School and urges families to widen their college search. He explains how to judge campus resources during visits. He reframes college value around price, outcomes, and hands-on learning. He shares examples of schools offering strong return and talks about guiding his own daughter’s search.
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Personal Roots Shaped His Perspective
- Jeff Selingo grew up in a family where college attendance was uncommon and went to Ithaca College nearby.
- That background fuels his passion for making higher education accessible and realistic for most students.
Focus On Transferable Skills
- Majors matter less than skills like communication, teamwork, and adaptability in a fast-changing job market.
- Students should prioritize skill-building opportunities across disciplines rather than chase a single 'job-major' fit.
Broaden The Definition Of A Great College
- Many families chase a narrow set of selective colleges and miss excellent options outside the top tiers.
- Jeff Selingo urges expanding the view to find high-quality, accessible colleges that fit each student.
