The Foreign Service Journal, June 2015

70 JUNE 2015 | THE FOREIGN SERVICE JOURNAL EDUCATION SUPPLEMENT League colleges but were turned away. What happened when they went to so-called lesser schools? Not quite what they expected. As big fish in smaller ponds (and that “small pond” can also mean a big state school’s honors program as much as a tiny liberal arts college), they often got extra attention from professors, including mentoring, internship and research opportunities. They were on the dean’s list. They had time for social activities and sports. They made friends who came from diverse backgrounds. In short, they flourished. Not only that, but they came to look upon their initial rejection as a blessing in disguise. These stories, along with often inspiring quotes from happy people who attended less prestigious col- leges, make up the heart of the book. They are accompanied by the results of both formal and informal studies that demonstrate that, for the most part, the name of one’s undergraduate institution is rarely a defining factor in later suc- cess. Character and work ethic are more important. Some of these studies are not new and have been cited in earlier books. So why does the college admission feeding frenzy persist? Feeding the Frenzy First, there are simply more kids applying to college. Between 2001 and 2011, the percentage of 18- to 24-year- Both formal and informal studies demonstrate that, for the most part, the name of one’s undergraduate institution is rarely a defining factor in later success.