ASSORTED
The Best Kind of College: An Insiders’ Guide to America’s Small Liberal Arts Colleges edited by Susan McWilliams and John E. Seery
Despite the title, it is NOT a guide to America’s Small Liberal Arts Colleges! It is a collection of essays written by professors from top LACs about why they love them and think your kid should attend one. I didn’t know much (well, anything really) about LACs and this book had a huge impact on our family, as S18 got a summer research job with one of the author/professors and S19 is heading to attend an LAC in the fall. Some of these professors are amazing and the kind we all want our kids to have. If you are LAC-curious, this book will help. Grade: A+.
College Unranked: Ending the College Admissions Frenzy by Lloyd Thacker
Another collection of informed essays, this time by admissions experts suggesting changes to “end the frenzy” – a goal I am sure all can agree is admirable. I cherry-picked the chapters for admissions advice but looking at the book today I think I will give it a comprehensive read. I am certain the folks here who love the impassioned discussions (not debates!) we have will find much ammo for their positions. Grade: B+.
Open the Gates to the Ivy League: A Plan B for Getting into the Top Colleges by C. W. Henderson
“You can’t judge a book by its cover” – is there more common cliché? I proved it when I bought this book, as it isn’t really advice on how to get admitted to an Ivy, but rather focuses on open-admission programs at top colleges (like Harvard Extension School) and 3+2 programs. Not a bad book despite that, and a good choice for anyone who is hellbent on a particular window sticker. However I think most here would agree there are better educational choices for most students. Grade: B-.
The Neurotic Parent’s Guide to College Admissions: Strategies for Helicoptering, Hot-housing & Micromanaging by J.D. Rothman
This is a humor book that actually is kinda funny. I almost didn’t include this volume in my reviews as it has the chapter about College Confidential on it, which it calls “The Scariest Place On The Internet”. Despite that hyperbole, it’s a fun read, and the CC section is followed by 3 pages on the Clam Fart kid! So it’s all good. You don’t really need this book but you probably won’t regret it. It is well designed and with good illustrations – well, clipart – throughout. Grade: B.
Playing the Game: Inside Athletic Recruiting in the Ivy League by Chris Lincoln
I bought this book despite not having a recruited athlete in the family. I do have close friends with them though so I thought I would read so I could be informed; but this book scared the heck out of me and I did not pass it on to them. It completely changed my belief from thinking that “athletes have it so easy” to “it doesn’t work out the way they hope for most athletes”. Lo and behold many of the horror stories came true for my friends family also (such as coaches leaving and new coaches not honoring commitments). Well written and researched and with named sources, this book is essential reading for anyone with an athlete. Also includes a few chapters on the NESCAC. Grade: A+.
College (Un)bound: The Future of Higher Education and What It Means for Students by Jeffrey J. Selingo
This one could be titled: “Hey college! YOU SUCK! Now let me count the ways…” Honestly this is a very good (and well known) book, but it starts with the premise that “America’s higher education system is broken”. Touts massive online open courses (MOOCs) which sound great here but I have seen other documents of how they are usually failures. This is a serious read, and more for someone interested in the higher education system as a whole than learning about colleges and admissions. Grade: B+.
Paying for the Party: How College Maintains Inequality by Elizabeth A. Armstrong
Learned about this from a film with a similar topic, but honestly can’t bring myself to more than skim it. Two main points are things you learn your first day on College Confidential: 1. College is too damned expensive and 2. Student Debt is a killer and should be avoided at (almost) all costs. The book also makes a point that I believe is true but that makes me very uncomfortable: That this system is (unintentionally or not) making it difficult for economic-class movement for many people. I think it is time I read this comprehensively so stay tuned. Grade: TBD.
The Shape of the River: Long-Term Consequences of Considering Race in College and University Admissions by William G. Bowen and Derek Bok
The essential book on race and admissions and that is all I will say here!. I knew the late Dr. Bowen a bit (through my work in software) and he was awesome, so I wanted to include this. I also have his books on College athletics and dropout rates, but haven’t read those yet.
Well, that’s all I have folks! What do you think? Do you agree/disagree with any of my assessments? There are so many books I did not buy or read – which ones were valuable to you?