Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions

From award-winning higher education journalist and New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo comes a revealing look from inside the admissions office—one that identifies surprising strategies that will aid in the college search. Getting into a top-ranked college has never seemed more impossible, with acceptance rates at some elite universities dipping into the single digits. In Who Gets In and Why, journalist and higher education expert Jeffrey Selingo dispels entrenched notions of how to compete and win at the admissions game, and reveals that teenagers and parents have much to gain by broadening their notion of what qualifies as a “good college.” Hint: it’s not all about the sticker on the car window. Selingo, who was embedded in three different admissions offices—a selective private university, a leading liberal arts college, and a flagship public campus—closely observed gatekeepers as they made their often agonizing and sometimes life-changing decisions. He also followed select students and their parents, and he traveled around the country meeting with high school counselors, marketers, behind-the-scenes consultants, and college rankers. While many have long believed that admissions is merit-based, rewarding the best students, Who Gets In and Why presents a more complicated truth, showing that “who gets in” is frequently more about the college’s agenda than the applicant. In a world where thousands of equally qualified students vie for a fixed number of spots at elite institutions, admissions officers often make split-second decisions based on a variety of factors—like diversity, money, and, ultimately, whether a student will enroll if accepted. One of the most insightful books ever about “getting in” and what higher education has become, Who Gets In and Why not only provides an unusually intimate look at how admissions decisions get made, but guides prospective students on how to honestly assess their strengths and match with the schools that will best serve their interests.

About the Author :
Jeffrey Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than two and a half decades and is a New York Times bestselling author of three books. Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions takes readers inside the admissions offices of three selective universities and was named among the 100 Notable Books of the year by The New York Times. Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right For You is based on two-plus years of research and an original survey of more than 3,000 parents. A regular contributor to The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, Jeff is a special advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He also writes a biweekly newsletter on all things higher ed called Next and cohosts the podcast, Future U. He lives near Washington, DC, with his family.

Review :
A New York Times Book Review Editors' Choice and a New York Times Notable Book “A rare inside look… It’s amazing.” —CBS This Morning “[A] widely anticipated new book…Selingo was given extraordinary access to the selection process and the selectors at Emory University, Davidson College and the University of Washington. He uses it in his book to present one of the most nuanced, coolheaded examinations of the admission process that I’ve read. He explodes certain myths — for example, that SAT and ACT scores are absolutely pivotal — and confirms other suspicions, such as the ridiculous advantage conferred on middling students who play arcane sports.” —Frank Bruni, New York Times “In this meticulously researched and evenhanded book, the author provides a unique mix of in-depth reporting, insight, and advice that may save readers needless frustration and thousands of dollars. One of the best books on college admissions in recent memory.” —Kirkus Reviews (starred) “This absorbing book delves into the sometimes enigmatic world of college admissions…an invaluable tool for college-bound students and their families, guidance counselors, and college admissions personnel.” —Library Journal (starred review)  “An illuminating and multisided view of admissions work…eye-opening and insightful.” —Booklist “Comprehensive and ultimately reassuring…Anxious parents and students will be buoyed by this richly detailed and lucidly written guide.” —Publishers Weekly “The college admissions process can seem like a locked vault, but Jeff Selingo has found the key. He unleashes the full force of his reporting and storytelling skills to demystify—and humanize—the journey from high school applicant to college freshman.  Whether you’re a student, parent, or educator, this book is an illuminating and essential read.” —Daniel H. Pink, New York Times bestselling author of When, Drive, and A Whole New Mind “A fascinating, useful, and important book—fascinating because of its wealth of vividly reported detail on how the college-admission system works (for instance, why little Amherst College admits more athletes than mighty University of Alabama), useful because of its clear-eyed view of how students and families can calmly get through the winnowing process, and important because higher education has become so central to American opportunity and mobility.” —James Fallows, National Correspondent for The Atlantic “For nearly twenty years, Jeff Selingo has been one of America's most trusted voices on higher education. This is his finest work. He pulls back the curtain on all the code words, awkward secrets, and noble hopes associated with college admissions today. Each chapter can help college-bound families turn confusion into clarity.” —George Anders, Pulitzer Prize-winning author of You Can Do Anything and The Rare Find “In his fascinating and timely book Who Gets in and Why Jeff Selingo breaks the seal on college admissions to reveal what really goes on, who gets a special look and why, what the colleges have at stake, and how a student can put their best foot forward. Frank and reassuring, Selingo presents a thoughtful critique of an outmoded system along with sound advice for students and parents who have little choice but to play by these rules.” —Julie Lythcott-Haims, author of How to Raise an Adult “Jeff Selingo has done it again. Amid increasingly loud calls for transparency in college admissions, and a growing suspicion among the public that the process is unfair, Selingo has managed to lift the veil from the ‘inner sanctum,’ showing how admission officers deal with the challenges presented by talented and diverse applicants. From the committee rooms that Selingo has penetrated come stories of compassion for students balanced by institutional priorities and mandates. Who Gets In and Why offers a great insider’s view, making a complex process much easier to understand.” —Robert Massa, former Dean of Enrollment, Johns Hopkins University “A valuable outsider-as-insider’s eye view of the college admission process, spotlighting what applicants will never see.  Pushing past the fairy tale of how a student's application is reviewed, Selingo finds more.  For the dedicated professionals who do this tireless work, the students and parents trying to understand it, and anyone in between, there are great lessons to be learned here.” —Emmi Harward, Executive Director of the Association of College Counselors in Independent Schools “In Who Gets in and Why, Jeff Selingo addresses the tyranny of selective admissions and its inordinate social and emotional impact on the more than 90% of students who enroll in non-selective schools. He depicts the agony and the ecstasy of the selective admissions process, questions why we’re all hostage to it, and offers insightful ways to avoid getting caught in the madness. Bravo!” —Deborah Quazzo, Managing Partner of GSV Advisors “An important book that shines a clarifying light into the mystifying corners of the college admissions process. Jeff Selingo gives students and their families much-needed perspective on how things really work behind the scenes.”   —Jill Madenberg, author of Love the Journey to College “Very accessible and quite accurate…Selingo’s backstage view of the process at Emory is particularly strong. He adeptly pinpoints how an institution's priorities, goals, and needs cause equally deserving applicants to frequently meet with different outcomes. This book will be a great resource for parents.” —Rick Hazelton, Director of College Advising, The Hotchkiss School