How I Got Into College (1989)

How I Got Into College is one of those late-’80s comedies that sneaks up on you: it starts as a goofy, lovestruck mission to impress the girl, then keeps widening into a surprisingly warm, sharp-eyed look at the absurd theater of admissions, ambition, and identity. Savage Steve Holland brings an irreverent, brisk pace and a knack for turning SAT panic, campus politics, and teenage yearning into energetic, good-natured fun without ever feeling mean-spirited. The movie’s real charm is how it lets its characters be more than types—especially as the admissions officers spar over what a student “is” on paper versus in life—while still delivering plenty of playful, crowd-pleasing comedy. If you’re allergic to broad, heightened ’80s humor it may not convert you, but if you want a clever, agreeable rom-com with a mischievous streak and a surprisingly big heart, it’s an easy yes.

How I Got Into College is clearly trying to be a sweet, slightly satirical teen rom-com about the admissions rat race, with a few heartfelt jabs at how numbers don’t define people. The problem is the humor is very late-’80s broad and uneven, and the romance can feel more like a plot device than something that genuinely builds, so if you’re expecting sharp wit or big laughs, you may end up checking your watch. A lot of the side characters and subplots play like sketches that don’t always land, which makes the movie feel scattered even when it’s aiming for sincerity. Still, there’s an agreeable, low-stakes charm and a surprisingly decent message underneath, so it’s best for viewers who enjoy dated teen comedies and don’t mind a clunky ride to a nice-enough point.