Reviews

The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays by Irena Smith

Only show reviews with written explanations

nickscoby's review

4.0

really, really well done. one of my favorites. sharp, witty, and more than you expect.

First, this is a completely biased review (those who know, know). Second, if you want to spend time with a new, innovative and compelling voice put down whatever you are reading and read this book now.

The Golden Ticket is for everyone who is a Daughter, Wife, Mother, Son, Husband, and/or Father* The author skillfully shares her story with honesty and humor to illustrate that life is imperfect, resilience comes in many forms and it is OK to not have it figured out.

*It is for everyone!

meckels's review

Go to review page

funny reflective medium-paced

4.0

readingdistracted's review against another edition

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative lighthearted reflective sad tense medium-paced

5.0

nikbookdragon's review

Go to review page

emotional inspiring reflective

3.5

shelbyl's review

Go to review page

challenging emotional funny hopeful informative inspiring lighthearted reflective tense fast-paced

5.0

I would have never picked up this book off a shelf. Reading (therefore stressing) about college admissions essays - No thank you! Been there done that for myself and I’d like to hide in a hole about the impending essays my children will have to write much sooner than I’d like to think about.

Reading about someone with relatable struggles who has the right amount of snark, yes please.

I picked this up after I met the author at a book event. This is a satrical memoir that goes so much deeper than college admissions essays. I think the recommendation sweet spot for this book is any parent who has a kid that is OR is not college bound. I also think anyone who wants to read about being an immigrant, dealing with depression, neurodivergence, ADHD, therapy, suicide, and/or struggling to achieve the “American dream”, would enjoy this read as well. And there are indeed tips about writing the perfect college essay - but that’s not the point - which IS the point. Just read it.

Content Warnings

saracook's review

Go to review page

hopeful informative inspiring medium-paced

5.0

rachelcoconut's review

Go to review page

dark sad tense medium-paced

2.0

Strangely not really about college admissions but about this woman, the children she flat out says she has second thoughts about having and sending them to “therapeutic” wilderness camps because they are autistic, using drugs and she doesn’t share why for the last child. It was honestly kind of disturbing. She can be funny at times but the way they dealt with the children and she talked about them, particularly her son is autistic was horrifying.

Content Warnings