Jeff Selingo on Rethinking the College Admissions Journey

Join us for an evening with Family Action Network and Jeff Selingo, author of Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You. In conversation with Dr. Matthew Montgomery, superintendent of Lake Forest Schools Districts 67 and 115, Jeff will share insights from his survey of more than 3,000 parents. He offers a fresh perspective that helps families rethink the college search.

For decades, college has been a rite of passage and a cornerstone of the American dream. Yet today, the process feels broken. Even top students face rejection. Families struggle under financial strain. In Dream School, Selingo shifts the focus. Instead of asking how colleges pick students, he asks how students can pick colleges more wisely.

The landscape has changed. Test-optional policies and grade inflation make admissions less predictable. Getting into an elite school often feels like a lottery. Plan A may succeed, but more often it doesn’t. Jeff urges families to move past the “Top 25 or bust” mindset. Instead, he points to hidden-gem schools with high value and rich opportunities.

Uncovering What Really Matters

His findings are backed by research and reinforced by thousands of parent voices. Dream School uncovers what truly matters in higher education. Job prospects. Hands-on learning. A strong sense of belonging. To guide students, Jeff spotlights 75 accessible and affordable colleges that meet these priorities.

The book is organized into three clear sections. First, it explains why an elite degree often matters less than people assume. Second, it shows why families increasingly value affordability and opportunity over prestige. Third, it teaches how to ensure that a degree delivers real returns.

This conversation will challenge assumptions and open doors. Join us to discover how to find the college that’s right for you.

Jeff Selingo has written about colleges and universities for more than two and a half decades and
is a New York Times bestselling author of three books. His latest book, Who Gets In & Why: A
Year Inside College Admissions, takes readers inside the admissions offices of three selective
universities and was named among the 100 Notable Books of the year by the New York Times.
His next book, Dream School: Finding The College That’s Right For You, is based on two-plus
years of research and an original survey of 3,500 parents.
A regular contributor to The Atlantic, New York Times, and Wall Street Journal, Jeff is a special
advisor to the president and professor of practice at Arizona State University. He also writes a bi-
weekly newsletter on all things higher ed called Next and co-hosts the podcast, Future U. He
lives near Washington, DC with his family.

Dr. Matthew L. Montgomery serves as Superintendent of Lake Forest Community High School District 115 and Lake Forest Elementary School District 67, overseeing the effective operation, educational programs, and fiscal management of both districts. His career began as a high school science teacher in Canfield, Ohio, followed by leadership roles as principal at Waterloo Middle and High Schools, and later Superintendent of Waterloo Local School District. He then led Revere Local School District in Bath, Ohio, where he implemented a five-year strategic plan, advanced community engagement, managed $70 million in capital improvements, and elevated district performance. Since joining the Lake Forest districts in 2021, Dr. Montgomery has guided the development of the Portrait of a Learner, new strategic plans, and a successful $105.7 million referendum. Nationally, he serves as Lead Superintendent for Cohort and Partner Connections with AASA and Co-Chair of the AASA STEM Leadership Consortium. He also contributes to several professional organizations and serves on the Superintendent Advisory Board for JASON Learning. Dr. Montgomery holds a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from Kent State University and resides in Lake Forest with his wife, Blayna, and their four children.