Today’s episode is a must-listen for parents of college-bound teens. My guest today is Susan Paterno, author of “Game On: Why College Admission is Rigged and How to Beat the System.” As Susan explains during our conversation, college admissions is a game but unfortunately, the rules aren’t clear to all participants (especially parents) and colleges have the advantage. But don’t despair, thanks to Susan and her valuable advice, we can level the playing field by equipping ourselves with knowledge, information, and strategies before allowing our kids to incur a paralyzing amount of student loan debt. I say “we” because I am a parent right smack in the middle of this journey. Our high school senior is building his college list and we are getting ready to complete our FAFSA. So I can tell you first-hand that my conversation with Susan is incredibly helpful. She shares some background on how we arrived where we are today, how families can get the best return on investment from college and why the US News college rankings are bogus. Be sure to listen all the way to the end where Susan shares her own family’s journey through the college admissions process and as she offers her expert advice for parents to get the best college deal.
About Susan Paterno
Susan F. Paterno has served on the faculty undergraduate admissions committee at Chapman University where she is a Professor of English and Director of the Journalism Program. She won the National Press Club’s highest award for journalism criticism and a libel lawsuit that set legal precedents to protect journalists in California. She has worked as a City News Service reporter in Los Angeles, staff writer for the Orange County Register, and senior writer for the American Journalism Review. Her work has been published in the New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, Inside Higher Ed, USA Today, Forbes, and in books, anthologies, and scholarly journals. She and her husband Robert live in Southern California where they raised four children. Two sons graduated from the University of California and two daughters from Harvard College. Her third book, published by St. Martin’s Press, is “GAME ON: Why College Admissions is Rigged and How To Beat the System.”
Episode Highlights
- College admissions is a game and schools don’t share all the rules
- The big question is “Can you afford it?”
- How families can level the playing field and get the best return on investment
- The myth of the “perfect fit”
- Why US News rankings are bogus
- First, find the best financial fit
- How to avoid digging into the financial aid black hole
- Parent Plus private loans are a money pit
- Colleges are focused on their institutional goals
- Affordability should drive the bus
- Susan’s family’s journey through college admissions
- Test optional and test blind are not the same thing
- Susan’s advice for families embarking on the college admissions process
Resources
“Game On: Why College Admission is Rigged and How to Beat the System” by Susan F. Paterno