I want to help students and parents understand how much harder the current landscape of selective college admissions is than when their older children applied. They fear that not being admitted to colleges with low admit rates is somehow failing.
Getting denied from highly selective colleges is not failing. Failing in this process is not doing your homework and choosing the right colleges to apply to.
The college admissions landscape for selective colleges is simply very, very tough. For several years, admit rates have gone way down. I have classified colleges that admit 15% or less "unlikelies," but my number is too low (the Common App classifies "highly selectives" as under 25%); that number of colleges has grown from 62 in 2019 to 71 in 2024. 29 of those colleges/universities have admit rates under 10% and 42 have admit rates between 10-20%. Why focus on these colleges? Because as this category of colleges grows, it affects what happens with admit rates at all of the other colleges. That means many "likely" colleges have become "possibles."
A college is not better just because it is harder to get into. But the more selective a school is, the more desirable it becomes. I can point to numerous colleges that just in the last two or three years have cut their acceptance rate in half – and they are the exact same colleges they were a couple of years ago (they might even offer a worse experience because now they have a housing shortage due to increased demand!). People suddenly attach a value to it that has nothing to do with the actual college itself. Conversely, they may assume that if a college is an easier admit, then it must be less good, and that is simply untrue. DON'T LET YOURSELF GET SUCKED INTO THIS! I see kids every year apply to colleges that, even if were accepted, are not good fits for them.
Next week, some specifics.
So happy to get this information every August!
There is a lot of information about college admissions on the Internet, but much of it is not vetted and unreliable. Thanks to my genrous, professional colleagues, I receive these updates each year and am happy to share them with my students and families.
Set up a meeting if you'd like to learn more.
Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision Acceptance Rates
In-State and Out-of-State Acceptance Rates
Financial Aid for International Noncitizens
International Noncitizens Acceptance Rate and Yield
Percentage of Students Submitting SAT and ACT Scores
Navigating the college admissions process can be overwhelming for many families. There are a multitude of books published on the topic, and selecting one can be just as overwhelming.
Here are recommendations from other Independent Educational Consultants (IECs) on what college planning books they typically recommend to families. I ran a survey on a few forums, gathering about 50 responses from the community. Here are the results, highlighting the winner, runner-up, finalists, and honorable mentions. The list includes Amazon links, but you may be able to find some of these in your local libary, on the Libby app. Or pick up a used copy on BookFinder.com, an online book price comparison service where you can find the best prices for used books.
Hopefully you can find a resource or two here that will help you make informed decisions about the college admissions process.
Winner:
Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions by Jeffrey Selingo, September 2020. This book, which received the most votes by other IECs, provides an in-depth look at the college admissions process, drawing from the author's experienceinside three different admissions offices. Jeff reveals the complex factors that influence admission decisions, including institutional priorities, applicant demographics, and financial considerations. The book offers valuable insights for students and parents navigating the competitive world of college admissions. Amazon Link.
Runner-Up:
Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni, March 2015. Frank Bruni challenges the obsession with elite college admissions, arguing that a student's success is not determined by the prestige of their chosen college. He presents examples of successful individuals who attended less selective schools or took non-traditional paths. The book encourages readers to focus on personal growth and opportunities rather than brand-name institutions. Amazon Link.
Third Place (Tie):
Fiske Guide to Colleges 2025 (if you work with me, you have access to this in our system) by Edward Fiske, July 2024. This authoritative guide offers detailed profiles of over 300 colleges in the US, providing valuable insights into academics, campus life, and admissions. The book is an essential resource for prospective students and their families, offering expert analysis to help match students with the best-fit institutions based on their needs. Amazon Link.
The Price You Pay for College: An Entirely New Road Map for the Biggest Financial Decision Your Family Will Ever Make by Ron Lieber, January 2021. Provides a comprehensive guide to understanding the complex financial aspects of college education, addressing financial aid, scholarships, and the true value of different college experiences. The book can help you navigate the biggest financial decision you'll likely face, offering strategies to make informed choices about college investments. Amazon Link.
Other Finalists:
(In Alphabetical Order)
College Admission Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Showing Colleges Who You Are and What Matters to You by Ethan Sawyer, July 2020. Offers a comprehensive, step-by-step approach to the college application process, emphasizing self-discovery and storytelling. Amazon Link.
College Match: A Blueprint for Choosing the Best School for You by Steven Antonoff, January 2022. A practical guide to help students find the best college fit based on their individual needs and preferences. Amazon Link.
How to Raise an Adult: Break Free of the Overparenting Trap and Prepare Your Kid for Success by Julie Lythcott-Haims, June 2015. This book provides strategies for parents to help their children develop independence and self-sufficiency. Amazon Link.
The Truth about College Admission: A Family Guide to Getting In and Staying Together by Brennan Barnard and Rick Clark, September 2023. A guide for families to manage the college admission process collaboratively and healthily. Amazon Link.
Valedictorians at the Gate: Standing Out, Getting In, and Staying Sane While Applying to College by Becky Munsterer Sabky, August 2021. A former Ivy League admissions director offers practical advice on how to navigate the college application process. Amazon Link.
Honorable Mentions:
(In Alphabetical Order)
Admission Matters: What Students and Parents Need to Know About Getting into College by Sally P. Springer, Jon Reider, Nancy Griesemer, and Joyce Vining Morgan, August 2023. Amazon Link.
College Admissions Together: It Takes a Family by Steven Roy Goodman and Andrea Leiman, September 2007. Amazon Link.
College Essay Essentials: A Step-by-Step Guide to Writing a Successful College Admissions Essay by Ethan Sawyer, July 2016. Amazon Link.
How to Be a High School Superstar: A Revolutionary Plan to Get into College by Standing Out (Without Burning Out) by Cal Newport, July 2010. Amazon Link.
How to College: What to Know Before You Go (and When You're There) by Andrea Malkin Brenner and Lara Hope Schwartz, April, 2019. Amazon Link.
How to Talk So Teens Will Listen and Listen So Teens Will Talk by Adele Faber and Elaine Mazlish, August 2006. Amazon Link.
Never Enough: When Achievement Culture Becomes Toxic-and What We Can Do About It by Jennifer Breheny Wallace, August 2023. Amazon Link.
Soundbite: The Admissions Secret that Gets You Into College and Beyond by Sara Harberson, April 2021. Amazon Link.
The Black Family's Guide to College Admissions: A Conversation about Education, Parenting, and Race by Timothy Fields and Shereem Herndon-Brown, January 2024. Amazon Link.
The College Conversation: A Practical Companion for Parents to Guide Their Children Along the Path to Higher Education by Eric J. Furda and Jacques Steinberg, September 2020. Amazon Link.
The College Finder: Choose the School That’s Right for You by Steven Antonoff, March 2023. Amazon Link.
The Inequality Machine: How College Divides Us by Paul Tough, September 2019. Amazon Link.
This Is Water: Some Thoughts, Delivered on a Significant Occasion, about Living a Compassionate Life by David Foster Wallace, April 2009. Amazon Link.
Your Turn: How to Be an Adult by Julie Lythcott-Haims, April 2021. Amazon Link.