Here Are the 5 Best Books About College Admissions

Last Updated on January 19, 2024 by Jill Schwitzgebel

Are you looking for more resources to guide you as you undertake the college admissions process with your child? Here are some of my favorite books about college admissions to get you started.

Initially, I had only four favorites listed here because I just couldn’t come up with a fifth favorite to recommend. But recently, I have two brand new favorites that I have added to my list, which even bumped a former favorite off the list.  In fact, I liked the two newcomers so much I debated what order to put them in.  Suffice it to say, I really consider the first two to three to be essential reading for parents as they prepare their students for the college admissions experience.  This is the list of books I reach for or find myself recommending to families over and over again.  (And, please know that I don’t receive any compensation for recommending any of these.)

1.  The Price You Pay for College

by Ron Lieber

 

2. Where You Go is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania

by Frank Bruni

At first glance, you may think that this is an odd book for a college admissions consultant to recommend. After all, you may think we actually benefit from the mania. However, what we REALLY want is for each student to wind up at the college that is right for them. This book offers solid advice.

This is a great book to begin the college search with, especially if you’ve got a freshman or a sophomore in high school. While I think that some of his examples may be a bit pretentious, his point is well-made – students can be successful at a range of colleges, not just at a few elite schools. He points out the flaws in popular college rankings and supports the argument that the perceived prestige of a college does not matter for success in the long run. I appreciate his message that teens should not select their college by the brand name.

 

 

3. Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions

Jeff Selingo

 

The author was granted inside access to observe the admission selection process at three different schools, including a small private school and a large public university.  He confirms some of what you might think you already know, but also reveals some insights that are likely to surprise most families.  The book includes the most comprehensive, detailed view I’ve ever read of how decisions get made by admissions departments around the country. 

I think this book can provide a great reality check for families, and may be especially important if you have a student at your house that is considering applying to any schools that are highly selective.  I found myself wishing that it were “required reading” for families undertaking the college admissions process – but it’s possible if everyone read it, that I wouldn’t have a job because they wouldn’t need my guidance!  Beyond the information it contains, it’s written in an engaging and relatable style that makes it an enjoyable read.

 

 

4. Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College

by Loren Pope

I think this book is a perfect complement to my previous recommendations, especially number two. I don’t think it should be the only college admissions book you read, but it will give you a nice perspective on the college search process.

While I love almost all of the schools mentioned in the book, I’m not advocating that you should restrict yourselves to the schools mentioned here. What I like is the perspective that undergraduate education should be a transformative experience for students. It gives you good food for thought about what you and your student should be considering as you search for colleges and a learning community and may change your college priorities. Also, it just may open your eyes to some lesser known schools that may be a great fit, as well as provide you with some possibilities for very nice merit aid for your student.

See also: What is a CTCL College?

 

5.  Fiske Guide to Colleges

by Edward Fiske

This is easily my most favorite college guide and I consult it frequently. I don’t know how I missed it when my older two kids were searching for colleges.  It is updated each year with new and relevant information.

My biggest complaint is that you won’t find every college in the country here, although you will find a good sampling. While this guide includes all the standard facts and statistics that are in other guides, it goes beyond to provide really nice in-depth reporting about each school that you typically won’t find anywhere else. It’s nicely organized and actually a good read – not at all dry or boring.

 

 

For more outside resources that I recommend, be sure to check out:  Best Resources for College Admission