Game On: Why College Admission Is Rigged and How To Beat the System

Paterno (journalism, Chapman Univ.) offers refreshingly honest insights into the inscrutable world of college admissions and financial aid. As she shepherded her four children through college applications, she noticed that the admissions landscape has changed drastically in recent years, especially for her youngest child. She explains that the expense of college education inspired the creation of college rankings, which in turn fueled competitiveness and drove down acceptance rates at elite institutions. Paterno’s observations are punctuated with compelling accounts of real students applying to private and public colleges, and she frequently references admissions scandals, particularly the 2019 case involving Rick Singer. This book dispels myths and offers practical tips for identifying affordable, best-value colleges; readers will appreciate the clear information about the relationship between grades and standardized test scores and financial aid, particularly for need-blind, no-loan opportunities.