Customer Reviews

Investing in College: A Guide for the Perplexed

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This book offers a very unique angle to the college selection process, like no other college guide book I've read. It helps families identify and integrate all the different pieces of information that go into the final decision (like rankings, financial costs, the quality of specific programs of interest) and helps weigh these different factors intelligently in terms of importance and eventual financial payoff. I've recommended it to all of my friends and coworkers with college bound teens. It's an easy read, too.

As a career consultant, I work mostly with professionals who are midlife and mid-career. Those with children often take for granted the need to "invest" in their children's education, often sacrificing their own lives, careers and retirement.

As a former college professor and holder of multiple degrees, I enjoyed the experience of high quality universities. But I agree with the author's premise: students and their families often over-invest in college, believing that they can buy their children's future happiness. Recently I talked to a woman in my gym, visiting from another state, whose daughter was agonizing over a choice among 3 lower-tier colleges. I wanted to tell her, "Choose the cheapest and frankly, you're just as well off at a state university."

I couldn't say this. Fortunately, Getz can and does. He's very realistic about what you get for your investment in college dollars. He's got some of the best advice for choosing a college, such as, "Don't get overly enthused about small classes." He notes (correctly) that the percentage of part-time faculty can influence the quality of education at a university - something few non-faculty folks will realize.

I'm impressed that Getz recognizes the role of athletics on post-college success. Athletes tend to be achievement oriented, confident and likeable. They may get lower grades but they have qualities that are valued by most of the world and that are rewarded with real dollars.

Of course, no book can include everything. Getz notes the value of high achieving peers, who can be found at competitive universities. At my own highly competitive undergraduate institution, these peer relationships sometimes backfired. Some high achievers coast through college (having experienced awesome high schools). Others have high intensity problems as well as achievements. Most important, some students become intimidated by competition and never achieve their potential.

Second, I've never talked to anyone who considered the alumni association when choosing a college. But let's face it: you spend 4 or 5 years as a student and a lifetime as an alum. Because I attended a New York college, my reunions took place in the Big Apple -- always a treat. But for some reason, my alumni association never offered practical help for mentoring and networking. Today's alums might be different. I'd definitely take a look at alums and make a point of talking to some.

Finally, I am impressed with the students Getz met. They seem to have a strong sense of who they are and what they need. Many students I met as a student and teacher were far less confident and self-aware.

Definitely I would recommend this book to any parent who's looking at a very expensive college investment. It's nice to have a book that respects the value of education but maintains perspective. Once you graduate and get out in the "real world," you find the real achievers come from a diverse range of universities...and some from no university at all.