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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Is this basically a list of very solid colleges and universities that aren't super selective or very expensive?[/quote]

yes. nothing impressive.[/quote]

I think the point of the book is that students, and parents especially, are looking at college search the wrong way. People try to get into the "best" college they can get into, without critically assessing fit or value or colleges that can provide both but aren't even on their radar. The book starts with a profile of student who got into Columbia but was unhappy and did not find the student culture a fit at all, he ended up transferring to University of Minnesota, where he did find better fit and vibe had more content and less stressed students. Top ranked college is not equal to happiness. We all know this but he shares some powerful stories and data. He also shares that there isn't enough space in top colleges and they don't give enough aid, so many more of these other schools should be considered. Like a person who got into Bowdoin with zero aid and ended up another college with nearly full aid and lots of oter perks.[/quote]

This! 4 of the 8 schools my older kid applied to are on that "large leaders" list, due to fit. Kid was accepted to Duke and turned it down - chose VT instead. And cost would have been nearly the same due to factors not relevant here. I've seen DCUM folks ridicule anyone who would turn down a T10 for a place like VT but I can tell you, my kid is living their best life in Blacksburg, has had paid internships every summer, and doesn't regret the choice for a minute. Fit was a huge factor in our search for schools my Hokie and their younger sibling. Prestige isn't the end all be all.[/quote]

OTC, I know people who would give a limb to have their kids attend VT.  It’s a great school, all-around.  [/quote]

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