Last Updated on June 11, 2025 by Noel Kim
As summer begins and the pace (hopefully) slows down, it’s a great time for families to take a breath and reflect. Whether your student is gearing up to apply this fall or just starting to explore possibilities, these three admissions books offer clarity in a season that can often feel murky. I’ve personally returned to each of them over the years—not just as a counselor, but as someone who believes deeply in making this journey more human, less frantic, and maybe even a little enjoyable.
1. Admissions Confidential – Rachel Toor
Why we love it: Written by a former Duke admissions officer, this behind-the-scenes memoir is full of refreshing honesty, dry humor, and moments that will make you raise your eyebrows. Toor captures the messy reality of how decisions get made.
Standout quote: “The truth is, there’s no secret formula, no checklist, no guaranteed path to get you in.”
Perfect for parents who… want a peek behind the curtain—and a reminder that admissions officers are people, not robots.
Did you know? Toor used to be an acquisitions editor at Oxford University Press before switching careers. She’s also now a creative writing professor in Montana.
2. Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be – Frank Bruni
Why we love it: If I could assign one book to every high school family, it might be this one. Bruni pushes back on the prestige panic with grace and wisdom. It’s a calming antidote to the frenzy that often creeps in around this time of year.
Standout quote: “The college admissions process is a sorting hat, not a measure of worth.”
Perfect for parents who… need help zooming out from the rankings to focus on what really matters: growth, fit, and joy.
Did you know? Bruni was the first openly gay op-ed columnist at The New York Times, and also once served as their lead restaurant critic.
3. The Gatekeepers – Jacques Steinberg
Why we love it: This is the book that helped me understand admissions not just as a process, but as a narrative—a conversation between a student and an institution. Through the lens of real students applying to Wesleyan, you’ll see just how personal (and sometimes unpredictable) each decision can be.
Standout quote: “To judge a student by numbers alone is to miss the point of what a college is trying to build.”
Perfect for parents who… want a fly-on-the-wall view of how admissions decisions get made—and what colleges are really looking for.
Did you know? Steinberg later worked with the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and now serves on the board of the Coalition for College.
Final Note:
These books don’t promise a secret strategy—and that’s the point. What they do offer is context, calm, and a reminder that your child’s future is not defined by any one acceptance letter. If you’re ready to talk strategy (or just need to hear that it’s going to be okay), we’re here to help. Reach out to your InGenius counselor anytime.
