Coping With The College Search - Frank Bruni Speaks

In a wide-ranging presentation moderated by Millbrook’s director of college counseling Shannon Vollmer, journalist Frank Bruni spoke via Zoom to Vth form families about the ever-changing college selection and application process. A longtime journalist and currently an opinion columnist at the New York Times, Mr. Bruni authored the 2015 bestseller, Where You Go Is Not Who You'll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania.

 

Mr. Bruni demystified popular college ranking lists, how schools can manipulate data to affect ratings, and offered suggestions on meaningful data points prospective students can research. A graduate of Loomis Chafee, he is intimately familiar with the high-pressure process of college application and selection. In a Q&A session, Mr. Bruni shared insights and reassured families facing this big decision in an especially turbulent time.

Mr. Bruni encouraged students to look beyond obvious statistics by researching all that a school may offer; not to become fixated on finding a “perfect fit,” but to instead look for a school that offers opportunities for who they might become. He advised students to connect with family and friends for perspectives on their own college experiences. Access to robust and supportive college counseling can be invaluable and is readily available at Millbrook. Students should abandon preconceived ideas and draw on the expertise of Millbrook’s college counseling department to fully consider their options. 

The Covid-19 pandemic has had negative impacts on some aspects of the application process in that many schools are not offering campus tours or any in-person availability to prospective students. Identifying a slight upside, Mr. Bruni suggested that the admissions playing field may be slightly leveled because all prospective students were subject to the same restrictions, and many schools are currently test-optional. 

In response to a parent question, Mr. Bruni endorsed the value of a gap year as a way for students to gain maturity and experience before college. For students with the means to postpone their freshman year, service projects, work, and travel can be very worthwhile. 

Most importantly, Mr. Bruni urged students to make an honest appraisal of their goals and to not limit themselves to the pursuit of any one specific dream. He dismantled the notion that there is only one right college and urged students to seek opportunities for growth everywhere.