College Chaos: Dream Schools, Money Talks, and âWild Cardsâ Galore
Jeffrey Selingo, the higher ed sage and dad of two teenagers in 8th and 10th grades, declares the sacred 'dream school' a myth, busted in the glare of early decision deadlines and financial truths. His 2025 mantra? Start your college talks by 10th grade unless you want a last-minute freakout fueled by ESPN-induced brand obsession and mystery-price menus. He preaches slow campus visits (because kids might like weird stuff), upfront money talks using the U.S. Department of Education's net price calculator (imagine dinner without prices!) and warns against early decision's love shackles. Bonus tip: craft a sweat-inducing list of 10 schools, plus one wild card for that Indiana Jones gamble.
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College planning: the only game where teens obsess over brand name dreams, parents hide price tags like it's a surprise party, and everyone pretends âearly decisionâ isnât just locking you into financial limbo.
Nothing says âfamily bondingâ like arguing about college fit, financial aid, and wild card picks instead of dinner conversations. Spoiler: weâre all crashing emotional vehicles on the highway to higher education.
Parents treating college applications like an ESPN draft, teens eyeing Ivies, and one âwild cardâ mystery spot â itâs basically the Hunger Games for adults, but everyone forgot the snacks.
Source: Businessinsider | Published: 10/29/2025 | Author: Kelly Burch,Jeffrey Selingo
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