Photo by Kate Weiman
Monique Rinere is a three-time Ivy-League dean
who has a particular perspective on college.

I was a first-generation college student when I first set foot on a college campus many moons ago. After lots of meandering, studying seven languages, living in Germany for years, and changing my major five times, I earned a B.A. in German and Music in 1990 from the City University of New York (CUNY) Hunter College. Inspired by a college adviser, I applied for admission to Ph.D. programs and ended up earning one in Germanic Languages and Literatures from Princeton University. The book I published as a result is a sure cure for insomnia.
After checking out the corporate world as an education consultant with E&Y, I became the Director of Studies of Mathey College and then the Residential College Dean of Butler College at Princeton. In 2006 I became the founding dean of Harvard College’s Advising Programs Office at Harvard University. And three years later, I was recruited to Columbia University to serve as the Dean of Advising for Columbia College and The Fu Foundation School of Engineering and Applied Science. My last stint was as Associate Vice President for Student Success at The New School, where I worked to create systems and programs designed to support students in myriad creative ways. I currently consult for universities on strategic planning and student success.
I have given dozens of talks to high school and college students and their parents on how to choose a college and excel there.
My second book, Countdown to College: The Essential Steps to Your Child’s Successful Launch was published in March 2019 by Ballantine Books, an imprint of Penguin Random House. I am represented by Dystel, Goderich & Bourret Literary Management.
I am also a therapist at the Theodor Reik Clinical Center for Psychotherapy (TRCC) at the National Psychological Association for Psychoanalysis (NPAP).
9 Comments. Leave new
Big congrats Monique. I just received a copy of your book today and will start reading it later tonight. I am also working on speaking engagements in Dallas.
I saw you speak and received your book in August 2019 at the New School when my daughter started as a freshman there. I read the entire book and found myself wishing that it had been available when my daughter was still in high school. With that in mind, I passed it on to the high school college counselor at her high school. Thanks for all the great info.
Thank you so much! What a lovely comment. I’m so glad it was helpful!
Just finished reading Countdown to College. As mom to a high school freshman, this is by far the most helpful book I’ve read on the subject. I learned so much and appreciate your wisdom!
Thank you so much, Eliza! I’m so glad it helped.
What a thrilling trajectory you’ve had since the years we overlapped at Princeton! Congratulations on all your accomplishments; clearly you’ve had and continue to have an enormous impact on many lives. I hope you’re still dancing!
Dear Eric, how lovely to see your name in my comments! Thank you so much. I’m happy to hear from you. I’ll send you an email with more. Best, Monique
Dear Monique,
It’s been a while since the days at the Annex. I was going to contact you about advise on getting my son Bobby into college. Will get the book and contact you soon. I have some amazing news to share with you.
Talk soon.
Bob Weidlich
Hi Bob, good to hear from you! You can contact me at monique.rinere@gmail.com. Looking forward to it, Monique