Who Gets In and Why Audiobook By Jeffrey Selingo cover art

Who Gets In and Why

A Year Inside College Admissions

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Who Gets In and Why

By: Jeffrey Selingo
Narrated by: Sean Patrick Hopkins
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Buy for $19.49

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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. Education Student Thought-Provoking Social Sciences
Illuminating Guide • Practical Tips • Excellent Narration • Myth-dispelling Content • Detailed Information

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This book really is a godsend. I have two teenaged kids about to enter their junior year. Jeffrey offers tremendous insights no matter your child’s situation. Also, it takes the pressure off the need to get into a top school. You can still find a great education that prepares you for your future.

Highly recommended

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things have changed drastically or I was too oblivious at 18 to even care . this work provides a roadmap for people who have kids they will be sending to college

what I didn't know

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learned at lot, although the content caused some stress. worthwhile to add insight into a vague and stressful process

Insightful

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If you have a kid in high school, you should definitely read this book! (COVID era withstanding 😬)

A must read!

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I bought this book and decided to get the audio version to listen to while on the subway. My daughter is a rising senior and we started touring colleges over the summer. This book gives
detailed information and valuable advice on the admissions process. I highly recommended.

Extremely informative

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