Rethinking College Admissions: Best Selling Author and Holton Trustee Jeff Selingo Encourages Families to Focus on Fit

Nationally recognized writer, higher education expert, and Holton Trustee Jeff Selingo P’28, P’30 spoke to Holton and Landon families on September 30 about shifting the college admissions mindset, encouraging families to prioritize student-centered choices and long-term fit instead of chasing name-brand prestige. 

In her introduction, Holton’s Head of School Penny B. Evins invited the audience to approach the conversation with curiosity. “Instead of asking where our children are going,” she said, “let’s ask who they are becoming, what challenges they want to embrace, and what opportunities excite them.”

Drawing from his years of research, Mr. Selingo made a compelling case for redefining what success in the college process looks like. “Too often, the pressure to aim for prestige comes from within our own communities, even when we try to resist it,” he said. “But the data tells us something different: student satisfaction and post-graduate outcomes are often no different at less selective schools, and in many cases, faculty interaction and mentorship opportunities are even better.”

In a conversation with Mrs. Evins and Holton’s Director of College Counseling Suzanne Carter, Mr. Selingo encouraged families to begin the college search not with a list of names, but with a list of student needs and preferences: academic interests, campus culture, learning environment, support systems, and financial considerations. He emphasized the importance of value over prestige, noting that students often find exceptional opportunities, including scholarships and smaller class sizes, at schools that may not appear at the top of traditional rankings.

He also urged students to take ownership of the process by engaging in experiences that genuinely interest them, rather than activities designed to "look good" on an application. “The best thing you can do is pursue what excites you and let that guide your choices,” he said. 

Mr. Selingo offered behind-the-scenes insights into the realities of the admissions process, covering trends in early decision, yield management, and the myth of the meritocracy. He reminded families that admissions decisions often reflect institutional priorities, not a student’s personal worth, and advocated for building balanced college lists rooted in self-knowledge and realistic expectations.

He also spoke to the rising importance of skills development and internships during college, regardless of major or institution. Liberal arts colleges, he noted, remain powerful environments for undergraduate learning, offering close faculty engagement and a well-rounded education, even as STEM programs rise in popularity.

Above all, Mr. Selingo reminded families that they hold real decision-making power in this process, and that the college search should be less about competition and more about alignment.

“There’s no one ‘perfect’ school,” he concluded. “What matters most is finding the environment where your student will thrive.”