“early decision” by lacy crawford – plus a book giveaway

Early Decision

Reading Early Decision, Lacy Crawfordā€™s gripping novel, took me right back to two of the most stressful periods of times in my familyā€™s history: the college application process for each of my kids.Ā 

Outside of health issues, I canā€™t imagine a more nerve-racking, drawn-out and emotionally exhausting experience. Having been through it twice, thankfully with the desired results, I can tell you Crawford nails it here.

Twenty-seven-year-old Anne is the ā€œcollege whispererā€ ā€“ a private college admissions counselor who helps privileged kids get into Ivy League schools. She guides them in their essay writing, encouraging them to discover who they really are and whatā€™s important to them in the process.

The book follows five students from the beginning to end of one application season, and, as readers, we get to know the students as they get to know themselves. We read drafts of their essays, which are fascinating, and, for better or worse, we also get to know their parents who are always hovering close by.

Part of the reason Early Decision rings so true is that Anne is based on Crawford herself. As a former counselor, sheā€™s seen all of this firsthand, so when she points out an essay that works, take notes for your own kids.

ā€œAlexis, where you go to college is not the same as who you are,ā€ Anne tells one of her students, who responds, ā€œNo, but it shapes me. It, like, shapes everything.ā€

Both of them are right, and thatā€™s what makes this such a timely and important story.

Early Decision is an often-funny but painfully real commentary, not just on the college admissions process but also on modern-day parenting. It should be required reading.

You can win a copy of Early Decision simply by leaving a comment below. For a second chance to win, Tweet this:

[Tweet “I want to win a copy of #EarlyDecision by @Lacy_Crawford! #books #college”]

Contest ends on October 12 at midnight Pacific time. Winner will notified by return email. Prize can only be sent to a U.S. mailing address.

56 thoughts on ““early decision” by lacy crawford – plus a book giveaway

  1. I loved the process of visiting the colleges with my son. Crazy parents as we are we visited 10! But I loved it. The application process? YUCK! What a pain.

    That said, this books sounds like an interesting read.

  2. I remember the day I found out I got into my “dream” school very well! And all the angst that preceded it! I have three daughters so I guess I will be reliving this, hopefully with less angst and same results. Sounds like a great read.

  3. My daughter and I got along just fine until the college application process began– we’re still in “recovery” and its her Junior year and we’re still working on issues from those 2 years—not fun at all!

  4. Oh, the college application process was truly dreadful and soul killing. Getting past it was one of the greatest things about the nest emptying out. As my oldest now considers heading back to school and throwing around terms that include FAFSA, I am so incredibly thankful she’s over 30, on her how, and fully capable of filling out her own freakin’ college forms of any sort.

    Sounds like a super book! I fear it may lead to nightmares, though… at least for parents. šŸ˜€

  5. Thankfully our first round already did the college thing and our second round of kids have a few years. Having already gone through this process this book would have been very interesting.

  6. This sounds like a really interesting read! There’s so much stress on kids about college, and this sounds like it captures it.

  7. I have TWO high school seniors right now and it’s crazy. I think the letter carrier is none too pleased about all the college junk mail coming to our house.

    Had no idea the process of applying to college was so intense.

    Just glad it will be over in a few months.

    Will miss the kids when they’re gone though!

  8. Oh my goodness! I’m living through the stress right now! I never knew that choosing a college, enrolling, etc. could be so competitive and stressful. This book has my name all over it! Hope to win! Tweeted too! šŸ™‚

  9. NOOOOO – do not mention the college thing please. We are just starting the process for next year and it is horrible trying to get my son to assist us. I have to check this book out, we need help.

  10. My son is way beyond the application process, but most of my friends are in the thick of it. Will pass this book suggestion along. Thanks for this!

  11. College applications were very difficult for us too. I hated waiting to see where I got into. In the end it all worked out though.

  12. Struck by how different things are today and how much stress is involved in college applications. I was an early decision applicant and it was stress-free, the whole thing. Not so today.

  13. I used to think that college was a place I wanted my children to attend, but with the mounting debt, it doesn’t seem practical. I filled out all of my own college applications. I’m not sure my parents even saw them.

  14. This sounds like an interesting read. My sister is just going through this application process with her son and I’d love the chance to get this for her.

  15. This sounds like a really interesting book. My kids are way too young for this yet but I’m aware that time passes fast. It’s best to be prepared. I can’t even imagine how stressful that whole processes and I’m kind of not looking forward to that.

  16. My son is years away from this, but I teach high school students, so I think this would be a great read for me…maybe for them too!

  17. This sounds like a great book. My kids have quite awhile to go yet before having to deal with this, but hopefully at some point they will simplify the college application process!

  18. I remember those days of waiting to hear back and then having to choose. Glad it’s over for us but I can understand the stress well.

  19. This sound like an interesting book! I have a few years before I have to worry about college admissions, thank goodness. How cool that she wrote a novel based on her career as an admissions person.

  20. starting the process with my son who is a high school junior. Trying to learn the dance of letting him navigate the process.

  21. My cousin has a son who’s a junior and visiting colleges. A bit of anxiety prevails in the household as they prepare to start the application process. Will definitely recommend this novel to her.

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