Excellent Sheep : The Miseducation of the American Elite and the Way to a Meaningful Life

A groundbreaking manifesto for people searching for the kind of insight on leading, thinking, and living that elite schools should be?but aren?t?providing. As a professor at Yale, Bill Deresiewicz saw something that troubled him deeply. His students, some of the nation?s brightest minds, were adrift when it came to the big questions: how to think critically and creatively, and how to find a sense of purpose. Excellent Sheep takes a sharp look at the high-pressure conveyor belt that begins with parents and counselors who demand perfect grades and culminates in the skewed applications Deresiewicz saw firsthand as a member of Yale?s admissions committee. As schools shift focus from the humanities to "practical" subjects like economics and computer science, students are losing the ability to think in innovative ways. Deresiewicz explains how college should be a time for self-discovery, when students can establish their own values and measures of success, so they can forge their own path. He addresses parents, students, educators, and anyone who's interested in the direction of American society, featuring quotes from real students and graduates he has corresponded with over the years, candidly exposing where the system is broken and clearly presenting solutions This book is a groundbreaking manifesto about what our nation's top schools should be -- but aren't -- providing: "The ex-Yale professor effectively skewers elite colleges, their brainy but soulless students (those 'sheep'), pushy parents, and admissions mayhem" (People). As a professor at Yale, William Deresiewicz saw something that troubled him deeply. His students, some of the nation's brightest minds, were adrift when it came to the big questions: how to think critically and creatively and how to find a sense of purpose. Now he argues that elite colleges are turning out conformists without a compass. Excellent Sheep takes a sharp look at the high-pressure conveyor belt that begins with parents and counselors who demand perfect grades and culminates in the skewed applications Deresiewicz saw firsthand as a member of Yale's admissions committee. As schools shift focus from the humanities to "practical" subjects like economics, students are losing the ability to think independently. It is essential, says Deresiewicz, that college be a time for self-discovery, when students can establish their own values and measures of success in order to forge their own paths. He features quotes from real students and graduates he has corresponded with over the years, candidly exposing where the system is broken and offering clear solutions on how to fix it. "Excellent Sheep is likely to make ... a lasting mark. He takes aim at just about the entirety of upper-middle-class life in America. Mr. Deresiewicz's book is packed full of what he wants more of in American life: passionate weirdness" (The New York Times). - Publisher As A Professor At Yale, Bill Deresiewicz Saw Something That Troubled Him Deeply. His Students, Some Of The Nation's Brightest Minds, Were Adrift When It Came To The Big Questions: How To Think Critically And Creatively, And How To Find A Sense Of Purpose. Excellent Sheep Takes A Sharp Look At The High-pressure Conveyor Belt That Begins With Parents And Counselors Who Demand Perfect Grades And Culminates In The Skewed Applications Deresiewicz Saw Firsthand As A Member Of Yale's Admissions Committee. As Schools Shift Focus From The Humanities To Practical Subjects Like Economics And Computer Science, Students Are Losing The Ability To Think In Innovative Ways. Deresiewicz Explains How College Should Be A Time For Self-discovery, When Students Can Establish Their Own Values And Measures Of Success, So They Can Forge Their Own Path. He Addresses Parents, Students, Educators, And Anyone Who's Interested In The Direction Of American Society, Featuring Quotes From Real Students And Graduates He Has Corresponded With Over The Years, Candidly Exposing Where The System Is Broken And Clearly Presenting Solutions. Introduction. Pt. 1. Sheep. The Students -- The History -- The Training -- The Institutions. Pt. 2. Self. What Is College For? -- Inventing Your Life -- Leadership. Pt. 3. Schools. Great Books -- Spirit Guides -- Your Guide To The Rankings. Pt. 4. Society. Welcome To The Club -- The Self-overcoming Of The Hereditary Meritocracy. William Deresiewicz. On Jacket, The Word Excellent Has A Big Red X Over The Letters Ex, Making The Title Xcellent Sheep.