Gettysburg College’s experiential learning opportunities, strong career outcomes for graduates, and dynamic First-Year Seminars are highlighted in a new book, “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You,” by New York Times bestselling author and higher education expert Jeffrey Selingo.
Gettysburg College has been named one of 75 colleges and universities nationwide on the “New Dream Schools” list featured in the book “Dream School: Finding the College That’s Right for You.” It’s the latest work by New York Times bestselling author Jeffrey Selingo.
In “Dream School,” Selingo follows up on his 2020 bestseller “Who Gets In and Why: A Year Inside College Admissions.” Selingo uses “Dream School” to move beyond explanations of how colleges select students to how families and students can more effectively choose colleges suited to their interests and needs.
In writing “Dream School,” Selingo surveyed more than 3,000 parents, identifying several factors that families consider the most when applying to colleges:
- Hands-on, experiential learning
- A sense of community and belonging
- Strong job prospects after graduation
In the book, Selingo praised Gettysburg College’s First-Year Seminars and strong career outcomes for graduates.
“First-Year Seminars at Gettysburg flip the typical undergraduate script, offering freshmen experiences usually reserved for seniors. These sixteen-person classes incorporate field trips, films, and community service projects, which together lay a foundation for the high-engagement culture that defines the institution,” Selingo wrote. “This go-get-it ethos carries through to dual-degree engineering partnerships with Columbia, RPI, and other top universities. Gettysburg’s location between Philadelphia and Washington, D.C., supports strong placements at firms like Deloitte, Vanguard, and Fidelity Investments.”
Selingo also noted Gettysburg’s “stellar” engagement factor among the members of the College community: “91 percent of students discuss academic performance with faculty versus 84 percent at comparable colleges, according to the National Survey of Student Engagement,” he said. “Some 70 percent of classes enroll fewer than twenty students, and more than half of students participate in faculty-led research.”
“We are honored to be recognized as one of our nation’s dream schools. To be celebrated for our exceptional career outcomes and dynamic, hands-on learning experiences is deeply rewarding,” said Gettysburg College President Bob Iuliano. “At Gettysburg, we are committed to delivering every student a truly consequential education—one that prepares them to make a difference in their careers and in their communities, and ultimately to lead lives of impact.”
In assembling his list of colleges and universities, Selingo used national data and research, partnering with higher education experts and organizations, including Bain & Company, the Burning Glass Institute, the HEA Group, and the National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE). Out of the nearly 4,000 U.S. colleges and universities evaluated, Selingo selected his final 75 based on accessible admissions, affordability, strong outcomes, and engaging student experiences.
Selingo has covered higher education as a journalist for more than 25 years. He regularly contributes to publications such as The Atlantic, The New York Times, and The Wall Street Journal, while serving as a professor of practice and special advisor to the president at Arizona State University. His book “Who Gets In and Why” was one of The New York Times’ 100 Notable Books of 2020. He also writes a biweekly newsletter on higher education called Next and co-hosts the Future U podcast.
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By Michael Vyskocil
Photos by Miranda Harple and Jason Minick
Posted: 09/19/25