Doing College Right

How do you know which college is right for you? And what should you do during college to make the most of your time there? In Doing College Right, dean of undergraduate studies Joe O’Shea helps readers to both choose a college and make key decisions throughout their higher education journey. O’Shea harnesses the latest research on how students develop and showcases award-winning programs from across the United States that are making a difference in the lives of students. Doing College Right is filled with helpful case examples, practical rubrics, and guiding questions to help readers evaluate colleges based on key dimensions of student success, both before and during college. This guide is important reading for prospective students and their families, as well as college admissions staff and high school counselors.

In our national obsession with getting into a particular college, Joe O’Shea’s book presents a new and welcome approach to the process. A terrific new resource that I highly recommend!" —Robert S. Clagett, coordinator of the Gap Year Research Consortium at Colorado College "A reader-friendly treasure trove of research-based insights about what matters to a high quality undergraduate experience and the information needed to determine a promising fit." —George D. Kuh, chancellor’s professor emeritus of higher education, Indiana University

Joe O'Shea is dean of undergraduate studies and assistant provost at Florida State University. He also serves as a higher education expert for the U.S. Department of Education and other national efforts.