Rethinking “Dream School”: Why Jeffrey Selingo Wants Us to Look Beyond the Top 25

When families begin the college search, many start with a simple assumption: the “best” schools are those at the top of every ranking list — those elite colleges with low acceptance rates and brand-name prestige. But in Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You, Jeffrey Selingo challenges that assumption. He argues that a truly meaningful college experience — and the long-term success that follows — depends less on brand and more on alignment, opportunity, and value.

Why Selingo Pulled Back the Curtain on College “Elites”

Selingo’s central thesis is simple but powerful: “there really isn’t a Plan B” for many families because that “Plan A” is so tightly focused on name-brand prestige. He describes how students, locked into the “elite-or-bust” mindset, end up applying to variations on the same set of schools without genuinely considering alternatives.

He also reports that parents, when surveyed, actually value hands-on learning and strong career outcomes more than prestige — even if their actions often say otherwise.

In short: most families overestimate the value of name alone and underestimate the trade-offs on cost, fit, and opportunity.

The “New Dream Schools”: 75 Colleges Worth a Closer Look

Selingo’s book doesn’t just critique the system — it offers solutions. In the appendix, he highlights 75 colleges that consistently deliver strong outcomes, engagement, and value, even though many are not household names.

These “New Dream Schools” span the country, but several examples from the Northeast and Mid-Atlantic stand out for families in our area:

• The College of New Jersey (TCNJ) – A perennial standout for academic rigor and affordability, TCNJ offers students the chance to work closely with faculty and engage in undergraduate research that rivals opportunities at larger universities.
• Lafayette College (PA) – Known for blending strong engineering and liberal arts programs, Lafayette offers a close-knit campus community, small classes, and robust alumni connections.
• University of Delaware (DE) – Often overlooked next to neighboring flagships, UD provides extensive undergraduate research, internship pipelines, and a supportive campus culture.
• Syracuse University (NY) – Programs like Newhouse (communications) and Whitman (business) combine professional readiness with academic depth and engaged alumni networks.
• Clark University (MA) – Small, innovative, and research-driven, Clark focuses on project-based learning and mentorship that build confidence and purpose.

By spotlighting these and other institutions, Selingo reminds readers that prestige doesn’t determine quality — engagement does.

What Makes These Colleges Worth Considering

From working with students and families, I’ve seen how the right “fit” transforms not just a college experience, but a student’s confidence and trajectory. The colleges Selingo features — and those like them — share common threads:

• Hands-on, real-world learning. Internships, research, and co-ops built into the curriculum.
• Supportive faculty relationships. Smaller class sizes and mentoring that help students thrive.
• Strong outcomes. Clear pathways to careers or graduate school.
• Affordability and value. Transparent merit aid and lower debt loads.
• Community and belonging. Environments where students can truly be themselves — and grow.

Fit Over Fame

If your student is a natural fit for a top 25 institution — wonderful! But for many, schools like TCNJ, Lafayette, Delaware, Clark, or Syracuse may offer an even better environment to thrive.

The takeaway from Dream School isn’t that prestige is bad; it’s that it shouldn’t be the only goal. When families broaden their search, they often discover hidden gems that offer the right balance of challenge, opportunity, and support.

Final Thoughts

Jeffrey Selingo’s Dream School is a call to shift how we define success in the college search. For families here in Westchester and across the Northeast, that means exploring not just the names you already know, but the ones that might surprise you — schools where your student can flourish academically and personally.

In the end, the true “dream school” isn’t on a list — it’s the one that fits your student best.

💬 Ready to Find Your Student’s Dream School?

At College Planning of Westchester, we help students discover colleges where they can thrive — academically, socially, and personally.

If you’re ready to move beyond rankings and focus on what really matters, schedule a free consultation today.

We’ll work together to uncover your student’s must-haves, identify hidden gem colleges, and build a personalized application plan that highlights their unique strengths.