Lessons from Jeff Selingo’s Dream School
Every year around this time, as college lists take shape and application deadlines loom, the same phrase starts to echo through households: “What’s your dream school?” It’s a simple question, but it often carries a heavy weight. The assumption is that somewhere out there is one perfect college that will make or break a student’s future.
In his new book, Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, higher education expert Jeff Selingo encourages families to let go of that idea. Instead, he flips the narrative: the dream school isn’t necessarily the one with the lowest acceptance rate or the biggest name. The dream school is the one that helps a student grow, learn, and build the life they imagine.
Your Dream School Should Not Just Be About Prestige
Selingo’s message is both refreshing and reassuring. He challenges the “Top 25 or bust” mindset that so often dominates dinner table conversations and online forums. Drawing on years of research and a national survey of parents, he highlights how prestige doesn’t guarantee success and how meaningful college experiences often happen far from the rankings spotlight.
His findings echo what many college counselors, Signature College Counseling included, see every day; a great education happens where a student feels engaged and supported, not necessarily where the name on the sweatshirt turns heads.
Selingo introduced these ideas to us at the Independent Educational Consultants Association annual conference where he was the keynote speaker. In his book, he shares 75 new dream schools – institutions that might not be household names but consistently deliver strong outcomes. These colleges combine affordability, mentoring, research opportunities, and community which are the factors that most directly influence a student’s learning and long-term satisfaction.
Shifting Your Focus From “Getting In” to “What You Get Out” of Your Dream School
Perhaps the most valuable takeaway from Dream School is the shift it encourages from focusing on getting in to focusing on what happens once you’re there. A degree alone doesn’t guarantee a great job, graduate school acceptance, or a fulfilling life. What matters most is what you do during those four years. That includes:
• Building relationships with professors and mentors who can offer guidance, open doors, and write meaningful recommendations.
• Pursuing research or creative projects that allow you to apply classroom learning to real-world challenges.
• Engaging with peers through clubs, leadership, and community initiatives that build collaboration and problem-solving skills.
• Seeking internships and experiential learning opportunities that connect academics to career interests.
These are the experiences that shape confidence, independence, and purpose – and they also happen to be the traits employers and graduate schools consistently value over a college’s name alone.
Place Value Over Vanity When Finding Your Dream School
Selingo also tackles an issue that hits home for many families: the cost of college. In an era where tuition continues to rise faster than inflation, families are thinking more critically about return on investment. Dream School reminds readers that “value” in education isn’t about finding the cheapest option. It’s about finding a place where the experience, connections, and outcomes justify the cost. And this can be different for everyone, based on your individual circumstances.
That may mean choosing a college that offers generous merit aid, strong career services, or a robust alumni network in your field of interest. It may also mean recognizing that a school’s location, size, or campus culture can have just as much impact on long-term satisfaction as its reputation.
The Real Dream
At its core, Dream School invites students and families to redefine what success looks like. The real “dream” isn’t about impressing others; it’s about finding a place where you feel challenged, supported, and inspired to become your best self.
As college counselors, we see this transformation every year. A student who chooses a school because it fits – academically, socially, financially, and emotionally – tends to flourish. They’re more likely to stay engaged, graduate on time, and leave with the confidence and skills to take on what’s next.
So, the next time someone asks, “What’s your dream school?” maybe the better question is, “Where will you be happiest and most motivated to learn and grow?”
Because in the end, the college name on the diploma matters far less than the story a student builds along the way.
Looking for help with the college search and application process? We help students and families through the entire college planning journey – from search, applications and essays to interview prep, financial aid consultation and final school selection.
Contact us at info@signaturecollegecounseling.com or by phone, 845.551.6946. We work with students through Zoom, over the phone and by email.
