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A delightful and salacious novel about the frightful world of high school, SATs, the college essay, and the Common Application—and how getting in is getting in the way of growing up
Anne Arlington is twenty-seven, single, and in demand: she is the independent "college whisperer" whose name is passed from parent to parent like a winning lottery ticket, the only tutor who can make a difference with the Ivy League.
Early Decision follows one application season and the five students Anne guides to their fates: Hunter, the athletic boy who never quite hits his potential, a kind, heavily defended kid who drives his mother mad; Sadie, an heiress who is perfectly controlled but at the expense of her own heart; William, whose intelligence permits him to dodge his father's cruel conservatism but can't solve the problem of loneliness; Alexis, a blazing overachiever whose midwestern parents have never heard of a tiger mom; and Cristina, who could write her ticket out of her enormous, failing high school, if only she knew how.
Meanwhile, Anne needs a little coaching herself, having learned that even the best college does not teach a person how to make a life.
In this engrossing, intelligent novel, Lacy Crawford delivers an explosive insider's guide to the secrets of college admissions at the highest levels. It's also a deft commentary on modern parenting and how the scramble for Harvard is shaping a generation. Told in part through the students' essays, this unique and witty book is so closely observed that it has been mistaken for a memoir or a how-to guide. A wise and deeply felt story, Early Decision reveals how getting in is getting in the way of growing up.
readergirllp
Posted Fri Oct 11 00:00:00 EDT 2013
This is an interesting look at the lengths some kids and their families will go to to get into their college of choice. I was fascinated with the subject and wish she had included even more examples.
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.sneps
Posted Thu Sep 25 00:00:00 EDT 2014
As a mom of a freshman in college, I can still remember all the preparation it took and time spent to fill out college applications, scholarships, and visiting campuses. During that time, a friend mentioned hiring a person to fill out the applications for their son. It was a lot of money, and I thought it was a bit crazy.
Well, apparently, that is the norm!! This book moved at a great pace and highlights different families and the challenges they face, along with the “college whisperer” to make sure the student has the best opportunity to go to the best university. This book isn’t a “how-to”, rather it shows the extents families will go for their child to remain a legacy in the family, the pressures the students face, and the way it can potentially bring a family closer, or break them further apart. I found it most interesting the relationships and family dynamics that Anne sees, as she spends more time with her students and family secrets are exposed and the pressures each one faces.
It’s not a depressing book by any means, but it’s a somber look at what families expect from their children, even when their child may have a different idea of what they want for their future. I love how Anne is able to bring out the best in each of the students she works with and the trust she works hard at establishing.
Anne has her own share of struggles and a relationship that is long distance, which puts pressure on her work and her own goals. Anne is a young woman, who didn’t set out to be a college coach. She taught at school and helped her students with their college essays, which slowly morphed into her coaching other kids because of the huge success she had with her former students.
About a year ago, I read the book, Accelerated by Bronwen Hruska. Reading Lacy Crawford’s book made me think of the students from Accelerated, and I pictured them and their parents as the ones seeking help from Anne. I know…these books have nothing to do with the other, but I could see a natural extension of it all.
Overall, I loved this book! Again, there aren’t any huge secrets that are revealed in the book. However, I loved the essays because it showed what each student was thinking, their writing ability, and how Anne was able to pull more from her students when she read the essays. I loved this book and any parent who has dealt with college admissions, has a child in school, or is simply a reader who loves books about family secrets, family relationships, and the pressure of today’s society, will all enjoy this fantastic read!
Anonymous
Posted Mon Sep 22 00:00:00 EDT 2014
Sucked
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.BrynBB
Posted Sun Dec 22 00:00:00 EST 2013
Having worked in admission at a prestigious prep school, I can empathize with the applicants described in this book. The desperation of parents is palpable while frequently their children are uninterested in the process which only increases the parents' frustration. This book should be read by every parent facing the intricacies of admission, whether to prep school or college. Lacy Crawford speaks from experience and imparts the wisdom gained from viewing first-hand the admission process with humor and empathy. Highly recommended.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.NBMinneapois
Posted Sat Dec 21 00:00:00 EST 2013
author provides an interesting perspective on the college admissions process. The length that wealthy parents can and will go to help their kids get into schools that may or may not be the right place ....this would be an eye opener to any parent willing to accept that they might be a little over involved.
Also points out what a real 'crap shoot' the process is. The pressure on today's kids and families is over the top...always one more thing these kids have to do from preschool to graduation and beyond. Building a resume and hoping they get it right. Glad my last one is almost through college...but then there is the grad school process.
I would recommend this to parents of high schoolers that are wondering how critical the competition game really is in the college admissions process.
Anonymous
Posted Thu Dec 12 00:00:00 EST 2013
Interesting exploration of a college coach's attempt to find the true goals of her student/clients
The villains are trite and the author drops the ball at the end
Anonymous
Posted Sat Nov 30 00:00:00 EST 2013
Intersting tale of a super smart woman who takes up the career of college application councelor after her own future stalls. I'd never even heard of this job but it's entertaining to watch Annie shepherd a group of teenagers thru the process of breaking the apron strings while taking their first step into adulthood.
Was this review helpful? Yes NoThank you for your feedback. Report this reviewThank you, this review has been flagged.Anonymous
Posted Thu Nov 28 00:00:00 EST 2013
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Posted Mon Jun 16 00:00:00 EDT 2014
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Posted Sat Jan 11 00:00:00 EST 2014
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Posted Wed Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 2014
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Overview
A delightful and salacious novel about the frightful world of high school, SATs, the college essay, and the Common Application—and how getting in is getting in the way of growing up
Anne Arlington is twenty-seven, single, and in demand: she is the independent "college whisperer" whose name is passed from parent to parent like a winning lottery ticket, the only tutor who can make a difference with the Ivy League.
Early Decision follows one ...