New Community Book Read Program Tackles College Admissions Craze

ARMONK, NY — The Byram Hills school district has launched the Byram Hills Community Book Read, and the first pick is a subject of supreme importance to families across Westchester County.

They're starting with Frank Bruni’s “Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be: An Antidote to the College Admissions Mania.”

The book talk, led by the Byram Hills Challenge Success Steering Committee, will engage the community in a productive and respectful discussion about the college application process.

“We hope to broaden the community’s understanding of the college application process and the stress our students are often under,” Principal Christopher Walsh said.

The book appears on the independent reading list for Byram Hills students.

“We are hoping many of them will read it, especially our incoming 11th graders as they really start to ramp up the college admissions process,” Mr. Walsh said.

Byram Hills High School has been working with the nonprofit Challenge Success to help redefine what it means to be a successful student and to help bring more balance to the college admissions process.

There's plenty of time to read it — it will be discussed at the Byram Hills High School library on October 17 at 6 p.m. The event is open to the entire Byram Hills school community, including parents, students, teachers and community members.

In addition to the October book read, future discussions are planned for January and April.