The Enlightened College Applicant: A New Approach to the Search and Admissions Process

by Andrew Belasco, Dave Bergman

Deluged with messages that range from “It’s Ivy League or bust” to “It doesn’t matter where you go,” college applicants and their families often find themselves lost, adrift in a sea of information overload. Finally—a worthy life preserver has arrived. The Enlightened College Applicant presents a no-nonsense account of how students should approach the college search and admissions process. Instead of providing recycled entrance statistics or anecdotal generalizations about campus life, authors Belasco and Bergman incorporate cutting-edge data and research to pull back the curtain on critical topics such as:

Whether college prestige really matters,
How to maximize your college admission prospects
Which schools and degrees provide the best return on investment
How to minimize the costs of a college education
What college-related skills are valued in the job market,


and much more. Whether you are a valedictorian or a B/C student, this easy-to-read book will improve your college savvy and enable you to maximize the benefits of your higher education.

Genres: Nonfiction, College, Education

240 pages, Hardcover

Published September 1, 2016

Reviews

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

With their book, Belasco and Bergman want to make you more informed college consumers. They tackle popular myths, share a lot of data to better understand what happens in the college admissions process, and advise you on ways to improve your application (many of which need to start a couple of years in advance).

If you’ve been sucked into the fear-based model of college admissions, head straight for chapter 6 where Belasco and Bergman lay out a better mindset to adopt: “Prospective colleges need students more than students need them. ... Higher education is a buyer’s market.” (Caveat: this doesn’t apply to the Ivy League and most selective colleges.) They then help you think strategically about how your college choices can impact your ability to win need-based and/or merit aid. There’s also a very useful section on the early action/early decision process and factors to consider in figuring out whether this is the route for you.

All in all, this is a solid guide to help you feel more confident as you get ready for applying to college.

[William · Rating 4 out of 5]

It's interesting to read the reactions of other readers. I shared the sense of many that this book is better matched to parents than to students, though I then found that two students indicate they enjoyed it and found it helpful. My guess is that students are better served by Frank Bruni's "Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be," though it is a far inferior book to this one, and parents are probably better served by "Admission Matters," by Sally Springer et al. This book, actually, is probably most useful to people like me, a former dean of admission who now assists families in the college process.

My hat is off to the authors for their approach. No other admissions book comes to mind with a commitment to basing conclusions on research. It is unusual, perhaps unprecedented, to find a general interest book on this subject crammed with footnotes and bibliographical material. While I wonder the extent to which this is helpful to families, I loved it and will be exploring many of the sources going forward.

The authors do a number of things exceptionally well. The final chapter on career preparation is outstanding, with very important information. They also balance the excessive optimism of Bruni's book with a useful explanation of when a college's prestige actually does matter for your future career. Most people seem to default to it either does not matter or is critical importance, and here the reader gets a more accurate and subtle discussion.

Some other things I liked: (1) If you aspire to a PhD, attend a liberal arts college; (2) A lot of excellent lists of colleges according to a variety of criteria; (3) A useful warning on the financial implications of attending an out of state public institution; and (4) Data I have never been able to find before on the possible advantages of applying under an Early Action plan.

What keeps me from five starts, however, are a number of assertions which don't match my experience, though I might have been convinced had there been documentation. (1) The Common Application leads to colleges getting a larger number of weaker applications. (I have not heard this from admissions people); (2) Colleges have bumped kids from courses to reduce class size and thereby improve their guidebook ratings; (3) The credit benefit for AP and IB scores seems overstated. There is no distinction made between placement credit (being allowed to take a more advanced college course) and graduation credit (actually getting course credits for graduation). My sense is that faculty at the most prestigious schools are increasingly resistant to either form of credit. Also, I worked for four colleges and universities, with a wide variation in admissions selectivity, and none gave credit for CLEP exams. (4) College admission offices give credit for summer employment (not in my experience, though).

It is no surprise that there is so far no single college admissions bible which will do all things for all families. This is a very worthy book and a helpful one to have on hand to answer a wide variety of questions as they arise. (This is also true of "Admissions Matters," by the way). I very rarely do this, but this is a book I endorse and suggest people purchase. While there are more things with which I disagree than I listed in the preceding paragraph, there is also a healthy amount of very good advice and information in this book. I commend the authors for a thoughtful job, and one well done.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

I bought this when I attended a book talk given by the authors. Its focus is broad - finding the right college is more than just looking at the lists of the top ten best schools for ___ majors and picking one. The writers are not overly impressed by Ivy League by any means; in fact, they caution against going in that direction unless it will truly make a difference. The discussion of financing a college education is terrific and is probably the most informative part of the book.
I didn't give the book five stars because I don't care for the writers' seeming focus on college as job training, not higher education. A whole chapter was devoted to "so you want to be a ___(doctor, financial analyst, lawyer, etc.)" As the parent of a fine arts student, I hope my son will find a college that encourages him to try new things and open his heart and mind to new ideas, not just prepare for the workforce.

[JoBeth · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was so fortunate to get an advance copy of this book - it is one EVERYONE who works with high school students needs to own. Teachers, counselors, parents - and most of all students themselves - will find sage advice, clearly laid out, on what to consider in searching for and applying to colleges. What are you really looking for in a college? Is the prestige worth the price? What about AP classes, extracurricular activities, selecting the right college for your career goals, Early Decision, showing your best self through the essay and other aspects of the application? And how can you afford college if you are not wealthy? Their tone, summed up in the "final thoughts," is that students "must first be true to themselves. They should ignore the sensationalism and scare tactics, set aside status-driven tendencies, and situate college in the context of their life."

[Kathleen Brunnett · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grabbed a ton of useful information from this book. Three pages of notes worth. I liked the straightforward style peppered with some humor to keep parents off the ledge when dealing with the murky waters of college selection.

[Becca · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who has guided students through the college application and financial aid process for 8+ years, this book is very good. I would recommend it especially to college counselors, as it helps clarify some of the more nuanced aspects of the process - early deadlines, merit aid, testing, highly selective admissions etc.

This book takes a hard look at whether prestige matters, and when it matters, and how to determine when the price tag of a private school is worth it. The answers are nuanced and specific, and backed by research and data, which is refreshing. I really liked the last chapter which looks at specific, common career paths. There’s great advice in there, and I appreciate that college is seen not as an end in itself, but as a launch pad for a career and a life. So often that is lost in all the hype, and this book brings us back to earth with really good, clear information.

[Carey · Rating 4 out of 5]

It is hard to pick a rating that is accurate for what this book offers. I'm waffling between 3 and 4. Standing alone, I feel the information is a little cursory - it's more like a good follow-up article to the other books I've read, with important additional information. For example, I found Frank Bruni's book "Where You Go is not Who You'll Be" more persuasive and thorough, but this book offers a chapter with a more nuanced perspective - saying where you go mostly doesn't matter BUT it has an impact on the outcomes for certain types of students (like first in their families to go to college). It's also the most up-to-date book I've looked at. It's worth reading if you have time and can look at it for free from the library or career center, but it's diminishing returns. I'm going to have to read it again - I could change the rating.

[Kathy Heare Watts · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recently learned that one of my grandchildren is already thinking towards college and career, wanting to be a doctor, or surgeon, to be exact. She is an honor student and just started the eighth grade. She was thrilled when I offered her this book.

I won a copy of this book during a Goodreads giveaway. I am under no obligation to leave a review or rating and do so voluntarily. I am paying it forward by passing this book along to a family member who I think will enjoy it too.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Practical, specific information about the college admissions process, including what to spend your time and money on (and what not to), how the early decision/early admission process works, which careers it's important to have a "big name" school behind, and more. Very interesting and applicable as we begin the search for colleges for our next child. Highly recommended for anyone considering applying to selective schools.

[Diana Bogan · Rating 4 out of 5]

This offered a great way for me to quickly get up to speed on how the admissions process has changed since I went through it -- and therefore how to understand what my oldest is asking me questions about as we navigate the process. You can easily just skim through to the sections you have questions about and the book gets right to the point. And, every chapter ends by citing sources, so you don't have to just take the author's word for anything.

[Elease · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent. A shift in voice here and there, as if the writers can't decide if they're addressing the student or the parents. But overall a wonderful read with informed advice, including a unique section on different professions ("So you want to be a doctor/lawyer/journalist/etc...") and the impact of higher ed decisions on those professional paths.

[ASHISH A · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best, most practical books written on this matter

This book skips the fluff and goes straight to the point. Learned so much from this book. Should be on every parent and student’s reading list.

[Unna · Rating 3 out of 5]

TBR

[Linda · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Anna Schenkel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was good and has definitely helped me in terms of preparing for college!

[ruka · Rating 4 out of 5]

helped me A LOT in terms of thinking about college, what to prioritize, how to go about applying, and anything and everything else in between.

[Shellie Ware · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very helpful and well-balanced book to guide the anxious college applicant/parent. A quick and very worthwhile read. Should be required for parents of HS juniors.

[Ambreia Craig · Rating 4 out of 5]

As a first generation college student I thought the book was comprehensive but it was a little confusing as the authors did assume on occasions that you knew what something they mentioned was.

[Heather · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was very helpful for my high school teens, as they went through the college application and admissions process.

[Ashley]

DNF at page 78

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

YA book written in an entertaining and engaging style. Informs students about majors, colleges, admission policies.

[Frannie McBride · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ok so essentially this book gives some helpful advice, but the majority of it talks about specifically elite or ivy league schools.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wild that I'm starting to think about college with a 5th grader in the house.... but here we are.

[Annette Shelton · Rating 4 out of 5]

My daughter and I found this book to be very helpful. I would recommend this book as a valuable resource for any college bound person.

Annette Shelton

[Michelle Olms · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book

[Ally Brooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was lucky to receive an advanced reader copy through a Goodreads giveaway!

This was a perfect introduction into the complex world of college applications. I'm a sophmore in high school and this is the first college book I read. It gave an overview of all the steps of building a resume, from choosing activities one is passionate about to actually applying. The authors clearly have experience and know what they are talking about. The information was presented in a clear, easy-to-read way, unlike some advice books that preach or use unnecessary fancy words. The message was portrayed well, and I'm sure that some of these tips will come in handy down the road.

I particularly enjoyed the section about careers. The book gave several career choices and described the traits of a professional in that field. It also gave advice on how to get experience through internships and such during high school. Since I want to work in the medical field, I really enjoyed this chapter in particular.

College applications has always seemed scary, but the easy-to-understand language and great advice simplified the process. I feel much more prepared for the hectic (but exciting) years to come. I'd suggest this book for both parents and students - it's a great way to start the college/future dialogue. If you need more specific advice on one topic, like information on scholarships or financial aid, I'd suggest purchasing another book specifically about that topic. This book is more of an overview with great tips.

My one critique is that I wish there would've been a few more affordable solutions. Many of the colleges that were commended in the book were extremely expensive elite schools or very cheap mediocre schools. I'm looking for great academics with affordable prices or scholarships, and those schools weren't discussed as much.

Overall, a great book and I'll definitely reread next year!

[J.S. · Rating 4 out of 5]

First of all, I do not believe this book is written so much for the college applicant as it is written for the *parents* of college applicants. Yes, it will be helpful to both, but it seems directed more to the parents.

It begins by discussing the thinking that should be behind choosing a college. Back when I was in school there was a lot of emphasis on prestigious schools, and it only got worse through the 90s. Nowadays with the super high debt loads many are incurring, opinions seem to be turning in the opposite direction. The authors take a more realistic middle approach - acknowledging that prestigious school certainly have benefits, but pointing out that those benefits might be outweighed by other factors. Overall, I found it to be a very logical and though-provoking discussion, and certainly worth considering as you help your college-bound child in the process.

Other helpful advice concerns the kind of achievements and traits schools will look for in applicants and how to approach standardized tests and application essays. Again, it all seems to be very good advice. It's written in an easy and understandable voice that at times almost felt a little too informal (to me, at least). I was surprised by a somewhat lengthy discussion of how to deal with the stupid things a kid might have done (and been disciplined for) and the examples used were from sitcoms from the 90s - fictional characters, in other words, who did some really dumb things and still got into great schools. Yes, I guess it made the point, but it still seemed an odd choice to use fictional people and situations to illustrate it. Still, probably a very good and easy to read book for those worried parents. (I rec'd an advance copy through the GoodReads FirstReads program.)

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Won this book as an ARC.

This book is for both the parent and student. It discusses how to choose a major (focus more on things that one is interested in rather than what would make the most money or parents/family thinks the student should choose), how to choose a college (One's life isn't over because one didn't get into Harvard/Yale; Don't sell the farm to go to college), and has stats to back up the evidence. This book seems to take a different approach when looking at college admissions.

I've passed this book along to a girl who is a senior in high school this year. I think it will be a good read for both her and her parents.

[Stephen Yoder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a great, handy book. It is written in a voice directed toward parents of 17 & 18-year olds, but I could see how if I were a kid in late high school that I'd find this book to be indispensable as well. It really does contain some game-changing thought about the college search, application, and financial aid processes. I don't think I'm going to lend this book out to a friend. Or shout its conclusions out to everyone. I'm going to keep this one for my own family.

I received an advance reading copy in exchange for writing this review, but I very well may buy a copy to give to a friend or two.

[Mrs Bernard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Every parent sending a child to college should read this book.
Andrew Belasco points out the encreasing cost of college and the debt one has to deal with if a student picks a degree in a profession that does not pay well.
How to get into a college is not the same as it was fifty years ago, even twenty five years ago.And Mr. Belasco points that out as well.
I read this book as a grandma and was shocked at what schools choose as admission standards. It is grades but more., but worse the cost of an education today.
We live in a competitive society,books like this one helps one compete.