45:I[58016,["/_next/static/chunks/b5ea50e123aa84a6.js","/_next/static/chunks/5e17b2e37c80a96c.js","/_next/static/chunks/de880ec5a0241b38.js","/_next/static/chunks/48003610e91209eb.js","/_next/static/chunks/15a1b1fbd3cf7d4a.js","/_next/static/chunks/81ce7bf5f20dbd5a.js","/_next/static/chunks/53f751967ccc7d59.js","/_next/static/chunks/903c358828afe0bc.js","/_next/static/chunks/b89bd732738d8cb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/88bed98e5cd5e639.js"],"ProcessEpisodeButton"] 47:I[185,["/_next/static/chunks/b5ea50e123aa84a6.js","/_next/static/chunks/5e17b2e37c80a96c.js","/_next/static/chunks/de880ec5a0241b38.js","/_next/static/chunks/48003610e91209eb.js","/_next/static/chunks/15a1b1fbd3cf7d4a.js","/_next/static/chunks/81ce7bf5f20dbd5a.js","/_next/static/chunks/53f751967ccc7d59.js","/_next/static/chunks/903c358828afe0bc.js","/_next/static/chunks/b89bd732738d8cb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/88bed98e5cd5e639.js"],"SendEmailButton"] 48:I[45269,["/_next/static/chunks/b5ea50e123aa84a6.js","/_next/static/chunks/5e17b2e37c80a96c.js","/_next/static/chunks/de880ec5a0241b38.js","/_next/static/chunks/48003610e91209eb.js","/_next/static/chunks/15a1b1fbd3cf7d4a.js","/_next/static/chunks/81ce7bf5f20dbd5a.js","/_next/static/chunks/53f751967ccc7d59.js","/_next/static/chunks/903c358828afe0bc.js","/_next/static/chunks/b89bd732738d8cb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/88bed98e5cd5e639.js"],"SignupCTA"] 4a:I[56939,["/_next/static/chunks/b5ea50e123aa84a6.js","/_next/static/chunks/5e17b2e37c80a96c.js","/_next/static/chunks/de880ec5a0241b38.js","/_next/static/chunks/48003610e91209eb.js","/_next/static/chunks/15a1b1fbd3cf7d4a.js","/_next/static/chunks/81ce7bf5f20dbd5a.js","/_next/static/chunks/53f751967ccc7d59.js","/_next/static/chunks/903c358828afe0bc.js","/_next/static/chunks/b89bd732738d8cb6.js","/_next/static/chunks/88bed98e5cd5e639.js"],"EpisodeTranscript"] 3d:["$","svg",null,{"className":"w-4 h-4","fill":"none","stroke":"currentColor","viewBox":"0 0 24 24","children":["$","path",null,{"strokeLinecap":"round","strokeLinejoin":"round","strokeWidth":2,"d":"M8 7V3m8 4V3m-9 8h10M5 21h14a2 2 0 002-2V7a2 2 0 00-2-2H5a2 2 0 00-2 2v12a2 2 0 002 2z"}]}] 3e:["$","time",null,{"dateTime":"2026-03-25T16:03:23.000Z","children":"Wed Mar 25 2026"}] 3f:["$","p",null,{"className":"text-base text-foreground/80 leading-relaxed","children":"Journalist Jeff Selingo takes us inside the culture shaping families’ college admissions decisions and the push to refocus on fit, clarity, and better outcomes."}] 46:T49a,

00:00 Why families fixate on elite colleges—and the rise of the “panicking class”

01:15 How rankings shape decisions (and why they mislead)

03:10 The truth about differences between top-ranked schools

04:45 Why choosing a college feels so confusing

06:15 How test-optional, early decision, and the Common App changed everything

08:20 Inside the “black box” of holistic admissions

10:05 Who makes up the “panicking class”

11:40 Reality check: most colleges accept most students

13:00 Prestige pressure as a parenting culture problem

14:30 What “fit” really means—and where to start

16:00 When prestige leads to the wrong choice

17:10 How to decide after admissions disappointment

18:40 What should change in college admissions

20:10 Will parent attitudes shift in the future?

21:30 Closing thoughts

The Pressure to Chase Prestige in College Admissions | Jeff Selingo