As a higher education professional I was intrigued by the subject matter. The author provided rational and thoughtful perspectives that will be helpful for any emerging adult - except that he gives an incomplete picture. While deriding "student services" he fails to acknowledge the reality of the student affairs profession. The cadre of professionals that have, as he characterizes it, contributed to the costs of college have also been the ones on the front lines responding to the demands of both students and their parents. The student affairs profession exists because faculty were unwilling or incapable of making connections with students. Yes - there are excesses in pandering to the commercialization and commodification of higher education that often reflects poorly on student affairs folks (he cites High Point University) - but as a whole we want the same thing (we hope) the students and parents want, graduation and future professional success. Students (especially) need to take responsibility for not being drawn in like kids at the McDonald's Playland...they are adults and they need to understand the consequences of their choices...this is a perspective shared by truly professional student services divisions and Mr. Selingo. ( )

Some interesting content but ultimately disappointing. Didn't provide any concrete help for this parent of a college student. ( )

Harsh but largely reasonable critique of higher ed. Very strong focus on cost and the value proposition of higher ed. I think this is reasonable and important - but I felt the book waffled on nasty criticism of cost issues for the first half while arguing for how good higher ed is in the second half.

In the end, the book argues *for* higher ed - but you'd have a hard time realizing that during the first few chapters. I wish the rhetoric was turned down a notch. But even so - the concerns are real and good to make explicit and visible.

(listened via audible. I generally only listen to novels - and this book was just at my capacity of being too "serious" of a book to listen to...) ( )

Actually a really interesting read. I felt at time the audience for the book shifted though. Certain points were directed at parents and other times at college administrators. Small stuff, but made some of the book hard to follow.

With that being said, a great book and anyone interested in higher education (parents or college administrators) should give it a read. ( )

The future of higher education and what it means for students