Some reading for the road ahead

The Price You Pay for College by Ron Lieber

This is the one I'd start with, since it goes right to the affordability questions. Lieber writes the money column for the New York Times, and he's clear and practical about financial aid, merit money and how to judge value.

Shorter option: "College: At What Cost?", a Parents League article on Lieber's ideas

Dream School: Finding the College That's Right for You by Jeff Selingo

This one has a big influence on how many of us in admissions think about college lists. It argues that a "dream school" is about fit, and that idea is at the center of how I work with students. The book includes an eye-opening survey of 3,500 parents and a list of 75 hidden-gem schools, among other nuggets.

Shorter option: Selingo on NHPR talking about the book

Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania by Frank Bruni

Bruni is a longtime New York Times columnist. He makes a warm, reassuring case that a school's name matters less than what a student does once they get there. It's a quick, encouraging read and a good counterweight to the pressure that can surround this process.

Inventing Ourselves: The Secret Life of the Teenage Brain by Sarah-Jayne Blakemore

This one is a bonus. It isn't about college admissions, but it's a fascinating look at why adolescence is such a distinct stage of development. It covers risk-taking and the intensity of teenage friendships, and it also shows adolescence as a time of real creativity and opportunity. There's a lot of research detail for readers who enjoy that.

Shorter option: Blakemore's TED talk, "The mysterious workings of the adolescent brain" (about 15 minutes)