Life Kit (NPR): "A Smarter Way to Pick the Right College"
Air Date: September 25, 2025
Host: Marielle Segarra
Guests: Michelle Martin (interviewer), Jeffrey Selingo (higher education journalist & author of Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You)
Episode Overview
This episode of Life Kit dives into the college search process, exploring why the pursuit of prestigious schools dominates American higher ed—and why that focus might steer students and families in the wrong direction. Journalist and education expert Jeffrey Selingo joins Morning Edition’s Michelle Martin for a practical and candid discussion of the myths and realities of college admissions. Together, they break down how applications have skyrocketed, what matters more than prestige, and what students and families should actually look for when picking a college that fits.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
The Problem with Prestige and the College “Brand”
- Cultural Branding: Top colleges are treated like household brands, creating an aura of prestige that can overshadow more practical considerations.
- Emotional Pressure: Students feel their “life is ruined” if they don’t get into, or can’t afford, a famous school. (Marielle Segarra, 00:15)
- The “Lottery” Illusion: Getting into a prestigious school can feel like winning the lottery—but reality often doesn’t match expectations.
- [02:09] Selingo recounts a student’s experience at Columbia: “They couldn't get into the classes that they wanted… there was a waiting list until junior year… The core curriculum … was just a slog to get through. Nobody was having fun.”
Application Overload & the Admissions Frenzy
- Skyrocketing Applications: In 20 years, applications to selective colleges rose from 600,000 to nearly 2 million. The process has become “out of control.” ([05:15])
- The “Yield” Game: Colleges are obsessed with predicting how many accepted students will choose them, leading to more rounds of admissions (early action, early decision).
- Widespread Blame: Everyone is responsible—tech (Common App), rankings, colleges’ own behavior, and families caught up in the cycle.
- [07:13] “Everyone is to blame. … At some point, somebody has to say, stop. … I'm trying to give parents permission to say it's okay to think more broadly about what signals a good college.” — Jeffrey Selingo
Undermining the Myths: Who Gets In and Why
- Affirmative Action Realities: The idea that “unqualified” students from underrepresented groups are taking over slots is a myth.
- [08:39] “They talk about race and income and ethnicity… but they do it at the very end when they're trying to balance a class… It just doesn’t happen [the way people think].”
- Access and Advice Divide: Most students have minimal high school guidance; counselors are overburdened, so many lack the support to make informed decisions.
What REALLY Matters in Picking a College
1. Supportive First-Year Experiences
- Focus on schools with strong “first-year experiences,” which provide scaffolding and support for students adjusting to campus life.
- [12:10] “1 in 4 kids are not going to make it to their sophomore year and only 50%… even graduate in four years… Look for a place that has built-in support structures.”
2. Opportunities for Real Connection
- Professors who are genuinely engaged, accessible office hours, a culture of mentorship—not just big reputations.
- [13:00] “When I go to visit campuses, I always walk through the academic buildings and see if the professors are actually in during office hours.”
3. Social Fit & Sense of Belonging
- Do students interact? Are they involved in clubs? Is there real community?
- “Belonging… matters to completion.” ([13:00])
4. Financial Fit
- Don’t just “stretch” for a name; be realistic about paying for college.
- Many private schools now discount tuition by about 50%, despite scary sticker prices. ([15:21])
5. Career Preparation
- Look for schools offering robust internships, co-ops, and tangible career support.
- “Go into the career services office… talk to the department chair… ask, ‘Where did students in this major intern in the last couple of years?’” ([18:35])
6. Institutional Stability
- With some colleges merging or closing, research a college’s financial health and long-term viability.
Broader Shifts & Pressures
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“Dream School” Redefined:
- [20:43] “What I want to do… is to give them permission to think more broadly… to think of a place where they're going to thrive, where they're going to meet their people, where they're going to have those connections, and where they're going to get that real job experience—a better fit.”
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The Backlash Against College:
- Political, economic, and cultural critics have fueled skepticism about the value of college degrees.
- Despite this, most jobs with growth and flexibility still expect a degree.
- [17:06] “A college degree gives you flexibility, it gives you mobility, it gives you choices in life to move up and out of a job or… a career that somebody without a college degree doesn't necessarily have.”
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Declining Enrollment:
- [17:47] “Ten years ago, 70% of high school graduates went right onto college… we're now down to close to 60%.”
Advice for Students Who Are “Undecided”
- Don’t panic if you don’t know your major.
- Embrace first-year programs that promote exploration and a broad curriculum.
- [19:42] “I think it's best to get a broad education… you want to look at a place that offers a variety of majors, where a variety of employers are going to be recruiting from there.”
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [01:22] Jeffrey Selingo: "Prestige is not worth it at any cost."
- [07:13] “I'm trying to give parents permission to say it's okay to think more broadly about what signals a good college.”
- [12:10] “1 in 4 kids are not going to make it to their sophomore year… So you want to go to a place that has built-in support structures.”
- [17:06] “A college degree gives you flexibility, it gives you mobility, it gives you choices in life…”
- [20:43] “All I want parents and students and counselors to do is to just start to consider the wider range of institutions out there. There are hundreds of good schools out there, and we tend to keep talking about the same 20, 25 all the time.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- 00:15–02:35: Branding & prestige in college selection
- 02:35–03:02: Story of transferring from Columbia to Minnesota
- 04:52–06:48: Why college applications have exploded
- 07:13–08:25: Who is responsible for the application frenzy
- 08:25–09:30: Affirmative action myths and realities
- 12:06–13:14: What parents and students should really look for
- 14:15–15:23: The money aspect & college affordability
- 18:22–19:33: Advice: how to find the right fit
- 19:42–20:38: What if you don’t know what you want to do?
- 20:43–21:38: Redefining the “Dream School”
Actionable Takeaways
- Don’t get tunnel vision about famous schools; focus on the campus culture, support, and opportunities.
- Visit campuses and pay attention to how students and professors interact—beyond the marketing.
- Ask tough questions about support structures, financial aid, internship connections, and the health of the college itself.
- Choose a school where you (or your child) will thrive academically, socially, and financially—prestige is not worth it at any cost.
Closing Summary (from Michelle Martin, [21:47])
“To recap:\
- Employers are still looking for people with college degrees, but where that degree comes from matters less.\
- Look beyond the prestige schools. Look for colleges where professors really engage with the students. Jeffrey says that connection is important.\
- Get a sense of what student life is like on campus. Can you see yourself or your student finding a club or social circle there?\
- See if there are internship opportunities and career services. And of course, keep your budget in mind. It might not be worth it to go more expensive just for the name recognition.”
Final Thoughts
This episode urges families and students to refocus their college search, letting go of “brand” obsession and instead seeking out environments that foster authentic growth, learning, connection, and practical opportunities—no matter the name on the sweatshirt.