Who Gets In and Why
A Year Inside College Admissions
New York Times 100 Notable Book of the Year (2020)
A New York Times Editors’ Choice
A USA Today Bestseller
Jeff’s inside look from the admissions office—one that identifies surprising strategies that will aid in the college search. Jeff was embedded in three different admissions offices—a selective private university, a leading liberal arts college, and a flagship public campus—and closely observed gatekeepers as they made their often agonizing and sometimes life-changing decisions. He also followed select students and their parents, and he traveled around the country meeting with high school counselors, marketers, behind-the-scenes consultants, and college rankers.
While many have long believed that admissions is merit-based, rewarding the best students, Who Gets In and Why presents a more complicated truth, showing that “who gets in” is frequently more about the college’s agenda than the applicant. In a world where thousands of equally qualified students vie for a fixed number of spots at elite institutions, admissions officers often make split-second decisions based on a variety of factors—like diversity, money, and, ultimately, whether a student will enroll if accepted.
Where to buy
Testimonials
![]()
Selingo was given extraordinary access to the selection process and the selectors at Emory University, Davidson College and the University of Washington. He uses it in his book to present one of the most nuanced, coolheaded examinations of the admission process that I’ve ever read.
– Frank Bruni
New York Times
![]()
The college admissions process can seem like a locked vault, but Jeff Selingo has found the key. He unleashes the full force of his reporting and storytelling skills to demystify—and humanize—the journey.
– Daniel H. Pink
Author of When, Drive, and A Whole New Mind
![]()
I can't think of a book I have ever read that enlightened me so much to a world I thought I understood (as an advanced degree holder and someone who once worked in student affairs).
– Sally B.
![]()
For any parent looking to have a better understanding of the current admissions landscape at colleges and universities, I highly recommend Who Gets In And Why by Jeff Selingo. It is an eye-opening read with insight into the decision-making process, marketing strategies and analytics that drive admissions today.
– Amanda C.
Stay up to date with what’s next for higher ed with Jeff’s newsletter
A twice-monthly newsletter with more than 145,000 subscribers, featuring Jeff’s unique blend of storytelling and provocative insights on higher ed.