The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays

by Irena Smith

Book Overview

What do we, as parents, really mean when we say we want the best for our children?

Irena Smith tackles this question from a unique vantage point: as a former Stanford admissions officer, a private Palo Alto college counselor, and a mother of three children who struggle to find their place in the long shadow of Stanford University.

Written as a series of responses to actual college essay prompts, this witty, raw memoir takes the...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 164742464X
• ISBN13: 9781647424640
• Release Date: April 2023
• Publisher: She Writes Press
• Length: 256 Pages
• Weight: 0.78 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.8" x 5.4" x 8.4"

Customer Reviews

Brilliant, clever, funny and heartrending

If you are a parent or student looking for a magic recipe for getting into Stanford, then this is not the book you think it is. If you are a parent or student who thinks there is a magic recipe for getting into Stanford, then you ABSOLUTELY need to read this book. Dr. Irena Smith has written a brilliant memoir describing her work as a Stanford admissions officer and private college admissions counselor, while parenting three neurodiverse children. The Golden Ticket is cleverly structured as answers written in response to actual college essay questions. Dr. Smith writes with great honesty and irony, with the ability to encompass an emotional range from lmao funny to utterly heartrending. The Golden Ticket is highly enjoyable and thought provoking even for those nowhere near the college admissions process, as it offers a unique perspective and insightful social commentary. Thank you to BookSparks, SheWritesPress and the author for a copy to review. @BookSparks @Irena.Smith #TheGoldenTicket #SpringPopUp