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krisloveskihei's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book because he describes the crazy adventure that we're going through right now around preparing for and applying to college. As a reporter he does investigation into the SAT system, national college rankings, etc. It was validating to read that the dismay over this process is universal. The book isn't prescriptive though; he doesn't (can't!) offer any advice on how to avoid the craziness.
brighteyes1178's review against another edition
4.0
This is an insightful look at the get-into-the-best-college-ever craze from a parent perspective, but was helpful to me as a teacher also. Ferguson spends a chapter each on topics like why we're so obsessed with college anyway, figuring out where to go, why it costs so much, writing the personal essay, should you pay an expert, etc., all through the lens of his own son's applications and decisions. It's not a how-to book, by any means, but brings up a lot of issues to consider in a light-hearted way.
daniell's review against another edition
3.0
PSAT, AP, SAT, GPA, FAFSA. Yep, this book is about a dad’s quest to help his son apply to colleges. It hits all the points you’d expect: rankings hype and the US News and World Report, financial aid (lol, wut aid?) and cost inflation, cost/benefit “is it really worth it” analysis of college itself, a bit of historical background on the founding of the American university and those ideals as they changed into what they are today with some GI Bill and something about multiculturalism that’s caused all this such that white males can stand to benefit from affirmative action, plenty of anecdotes, college-as-marketed-commodity/college-as-firm, the hypocritical nature of no post-college exit exam to measure the gain of knowledge, etc.
When I write “etc.,” it’s usually because I’ve ran out of things to say.
So that’s somewhat standard fare as far as writing on college goes. The reason why this book succeeds is not because of its subject but because of the way that it is related. Ferguson characterizes himself and his family well. It’s easy to see scenes through his eyes, from the time he interviews the $20k admissions counselor to the time he orders a ghostwritten essay online to all the times he seems to hail from another planet than his son (neurotic parent/character-disordered child dichotomy), in all these cases, he is consistently funny and interesting.
He has a low tolerance for any kind of pc-speak in his outlook, so anyone who’s already somewhat cynical or disillusioned by the process (and who doesn’t want to think that the world is difficult and stupid—it’s so much easier that way!) of college application and admission would naturally understand and enjoy what he’s saying here. Why do the colleges continue to hike prices? No market demand against them not doing so! Why do the USN rankings perpetuate? Fear! Why are they meaningless? Because they’re easy to hack! Why are the me-question variety of application essays inadequate? Because they favor the showy, gregarious, selfish types who have the ability to talk about themselves in flattering terms, a characteristic that does not follow from “will succeed in life” or even “in college.” Why are colleges and the college experience overhyped? Because wherever you go you will get essentially the same 7, 9, or 11 a capella groups covering the same shady brick-building-laden campus with the students that know how to study and how to have fun and the professors that are leaders in their field who are very available and the classes that are sized just right and the diverse student body and, well, etc.
His conclusion is great, the 2.0 of cynicism: yes things are flawed and to some degree the higher ed industry is marred by branding and advertising and profit-hunger, but on another level that’s not all that goes on when your boy takes the step from high school to college, finally moving away from home into a new life of freedom; the fact that it is a similar experience and an overhyped, overidealized one does not cut away from its basic significance as life transition and rite of passage.
Crazy U is a short, easy read and his tone is light and lively. It also serves as a nice intro to the process, if an exaggerated one (the FAFSA took him four hours??!? It took me maybe one hour!).
When I write “etc.,” it’s usually because I’ve ran out of things to say.
So that’s somewhat standard fare as far as writing on college goes. The reason why this book succeeds is not because of its subject but because of the way that it is related. Ferguson characterizes himself and his family well. It’s easy to see scenes through his eyes, from the time he interviews the $20k admissions counselor to the time he orders a ghostwritten essay online to all the times he seems to hail from another planet than his son (neurotic parent/character-disordered child dichotomy), in all these cases, he is consistently funny and interesting.
He has a low tolerance for any kind of pc-speak in his outlook, so anyone who’s already somewhat cynical or disillusioned by the process (and who doesn’t want to think that the world is difficult and stupid—it’s so much easier that way!) of college application and admission would naturally understand and enjoy what he’s saying here. Why do the colleges continue to hike prices? No market demand against them not doing so! Why do the USN rankings perpetuate? Fear! Why are they meaningless? Because they’re easy to hack! Why are the me-question variety of application essays inadequate? Because they favor the showy, gregarious, selfish types who have the ability to talk about themselves in flattering terms, a characteristic that does not follow from “will succeed in life” or even “in college.” Why are colleges and the college experience overhyped? Because wherever you go you will get essentially the same 7, 9, or 11 a capella groups covering the same shady brick-building-laden campus with the students that know how to study and how to have fun and the professors that are leaders in their field who are very available and the classes that are sized just right and the diverse student body and, well, etc.
His conclusion is great, the 2.0 of cynicism: yes things are flawed and to some degree the higher ed industry is marred by branding and advertising and profit-hunger, but on another level that’s not all that goes on when your boy takes the step from high school to college, finally moving away from home into a new life of freedom; the fact that it is a similar experience and an overhyped, overidealized one does not cut away from its basic significance as life transition and rite of passage.
Crazy U is a short, easy read and his tone is light and lively. It also serves as a nice intro to the process, if an exaggerated one (the FAFSA took him four hours??!? It took me maybe one hour!).
dawnelitt's review against another edition
4.0
Very funny and equally disturbing look at the college application and admission process.
theartolater's review
3.0
I had a really easy time getting into school. All things being equal, I think my top choice school would have probably been a safety school as well, but since I was planning on keeping things local, that was to be expected. Regardless, I applied to my school on a normal schedule and got in before I applied anywhere else or even took the SAT. My "getting into college" routine was significantly stress-free compared to many of my peers.
This book is about the stresses I missed out on. About how completely insane the college application and admittance process has gotten. Much of it, such as the craziness of the SAT and test prep and such, was not news. The reality of acceptance rates, the little tips and tricks along the way were different, though, and kind of scary. Scary in that I'm glad I missed it, scary that there doesn't seem to be an exit strategy for us as a nation.
Still, a decent, if occasionally draggy, read. I'd imagine this would be more worthwhile for me if I had a 16 year old and was reading this, but as it stood, it's definitely an interesting read.
This book is about the stresses I missed out on. About how completely insane the college application and admittance process has gotten. Much of it, such as the craziness of the SAT and test prep and such, was not news. The reality of acceptance rates, the little tips and tricks along the way were different, though, and kind of scary. Scary in that I'm glad I missed it, scary that there doesn't seem to be an exit strategy for us as a nation.
Still, a decent, if occasionally draggy, read. I'd imagine this would be more worthwhile for me if I had a 16 year old and was reading this, but as it stood, it's definitely an interesting read.
angkniery5's review
3.0
Great book about the challenges of college admission. It is humorous and informative.
bookwormmichelle's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this fast, easy read. This book showed up at an opportune time for me--we begin "college visits" on Friday with my oldest son. The book pointed out some of the stupidity of the admissions process--but basically decides we're stuck with it anyway. As we are about to leap into the same process, many things in this book really struck a chord. The author describes one "kitchen conversation" between a group of parents discussing their kids' SAT scores, and one mom obviously wants to be asked about her child's scores--but doesn't want to "brag", and so won't volunteer, but just really desperately fishes to be asked . .. . I hope that wasn't really ME. LOL I'll have to watch it and make sure it isn't. In the end, after experiencing all the angst and trauma, the author's son goes to school, settles in, does just fine . . . deep breath. It's going to be OK. Even if things don't work out like we hope at the beginning--it can still be OK. Deep breaths. LOL Oh, and I am SOOO not going to hire the $40,000 "consultant" to get my kid into the "right" school . . . well, OK, I couldn't even if I wanted to. Still. I also hereby covenant NOT to micromanage the application essays . . . I pledge to correct spelling and grammar and nothing else . . . OK, maybe help a little with the structure, and give some style tips . . .
pissmin's review
Why do I keep reading these books
They're so depressing
But at least this author's style was funny when not boring/annoying
They're so depressing
But at least this author's style was funny when not boring/annoying