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dhilderbrand's review against another edition
4.0
It was a fun read with an interesting perspective on college admissions. Although I must admit, I don't think I would read another book she wrote or read another book about college admissions. Also, the main character was kind of a downer and the "twist" at the end reminded me of a cheesy soapopera
carrix2's review against another edition
3.0
Not a bad book but not one I would want to read again. I was frustrated by the description of what an admissions officer faces - a description that was repeated again and again and again ad nauseam. How many times can you tell me how amazingly incredible every applicant is and how amazingly difficult it is to pare 17,000 applicants down to 1,800 admissions?? Not to mention the pretentiousness that goes along with allowing kids to enter the great annuls of Princeton University! I want sick to death of hearing so many applicants described to me and how the “normally exceptional” just weren’t accept up all enough. Makes me hate the Ivy League and everything it implies.
All of that aside, I enjoyed Portia’s story and wish the book had spent more time there and less time on Princeton itself.
All of that aside, I enjoyed Portia’s story and wish the book had spent more time there and less time on Princeton itself.
and_abigail's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Good book, well written, a little too flowery and also the narrative with her mother felt both unnecessary and unresolved
Content Warnings
Moderate: Pregnancy, Addiction, and Mental illness
elysareadsitall's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! The writing was amazing, and the plot was good. A++ I gushed a lot on my blog at https://elysathebiblioblogger.wordpress.com/2016/08/05/book-vs-movie-admission/
dana_in_denver's review against another edition
3.0
I would give this book 3 1/2 stars if that was an option.
jgoalder's review against another edition
4.0
First off, what a great book for prospective college students to read. Full of fantastic insights into the admissions process, I will be asking my 15 year old to read this shortly. Drags a little in the beginning, and wraps up a little too nicely in the end, but those are small complaints. Terrific story all the way through.
clellman's review against another edition
3.0
very bogged down, burdened with unnecessary details. tedious, esp in the middle. got a bit better at the end.
marryallthepeople's review against another edition
1.0
Tried reading it and sadly found it boring :(
citruslounge's review against another edition
5.0
I wasn't super into the movie adaptation, but I really enjoyed this book. I never thought about the admissions process; it didn't really cross my mind that a human person read my application and deemed me worthy of Smith. Really liked the long descriptions of different kids applying, and the little blurbs from pretend application essays that were before each chapter. While the book was pretty dramatic, it was also incredibly thoughtful and heartfelt in the way it dealt with that drama.
ms_aprilvincent's review against another edition
4.0
Portia, an admissions officer for Princeton, finds herself with an ethical dilemma when her past collides with the present.
Is that enigmatic enough for you?
Here are some quotes I enjoyed:
1. "I went off to Groton after I graduated. I was all set to start the Dead Poets Society and teach them to seize the day and all that."
I think every prospective English teacher in my graduating class had this exact goal. I wonder how many are still teaching.
2. "It's what experienced teachers always tell new teachers: 'Act like you know what you're talking about.' We all do it. Then, one day, we magically realized that we do, actually, know what we're talking about."
True. I know my first few years were pretty horrible, that *I* was pretty horrible. Fortunately, I got better; also fortunately, I continue to improve.
3. She tried to age progress him a couple of years and found, to her regret, that he would not be an attractive man.
I make predictions about people when I meet them, so this struck me as funny.
4. Every single woman on the planet with Internet access and a modicum of curiosity possessed the vital statistics of every man or woman she had loved, let go, been spurned by, come to loathe, or still longed for.
... no comment.
This was a quick, engrossing read. I'm sure most discerning readers will pick up on "the big twist" fairly early, but I enjoyed the progression of the story.
Is that enigmatic enough for you?
Here are some quotes I enjoyed:
1. "I went off to Groton after I graduated. I was all set to start the Dead Poets Society and teach them to seize the day and all that."
I think every prospective English teacher in my graduating class had this exact goal. I wonder how many are still teaching.
2. "It's what experienced teachers always tell new teachers: 'Act like you know what you're talking about.' We all do it. Then, one day, we magically realized that we do, actually, know what we're talking about."
True. I know my first few years were pretty horrible, that *I* was pretty horrible. Fortunately, I got better; also fortunately, I continue to improve.
3. She tried to age progress him a couple of years and found, to her regret, that he would not be an attractive man.
I make predictions about people when I meet them, so this struck me as funny.
4. Every single woman on the planet with Internet access and a modicum of curiosity possessed the vital statistics of every man or woman she had loved, let go, been spurned by, come to loathe, or still longed for.
... no comment.
This was a quick, engrossing read. I'm sure most discerning readers will pick up on "the big twist" fairly early, but I enjoyed the progression of the story.