Crazy U: One Dad's Crash Course In Getting His Kid Into College (2011) - Plot & Excerpts
This is an intelligent and funny real-life story of a father helping his son through the college admissions process. He did things I would do, and thought about things I've worried about, so I'm pretty sure he just saved me a lot of time. He observes a private college admissions coach, reads website comments late at night, attends campus tours, reads the books that all parents read, but he adds discussions with friends and neighbors and his kid, and he speaks with economists, activists, and others for real information to provide substance and informed analysis. One of the many things I appreciated was his ability to lay out contradictory information to show how inane it is. He has 5 "insider" guide books and realizes they give different stats for the same school, such as graduation rates and strongest majors, but the "insider" remarks from students are favorable for every school because they are solicited from hand-picked enthusiastic students. He speaks to a guide book author about this and keeps a straight face as he adds the explanation. Coincidentally, I just read "The Murder of the Century," which was in part about the tabloid wars between Pulitzer and Hearst. When the author of Crazy U lays out all the contradictory information from sources about college admissions, it's not only humorous, it helps me take it all in with a grain of salt.He also asks questions I ask. What is it for? Are you supposed to learn something you can use later in your career, like vocational school, or just sit around and think? Why does it cost so much? His information and conclusions are very helpful to me.There was one short part that dragged for me, when he explains the evolution of the SAT. Maybe I was a little tired at that point or maybe this isn't quite as interesting to me as the other topics. It actually has interesting information, but the writing didn't capture my attention as much right there. (Not to be confused with the part where he actually takes the SAT, which was great.) The explanation of the SAT comes up a few times later in the book where it is used very effectively.I have to say that I laughed out loud several times. I got the feeling that I get with books I really like where I want to read it again, even though I will probably never have time to actually read it again. I even teared up toward the end. My kids are several years from applying to college, so I can read this type of book without the anxiety of being in the process. There are a few books on admissions that I want my kids to read. I'm not sure if this is something I would give my kids - it's really for parents - but it would be good for them to know all these things and consider these issues, so I might. This isn't a how-to book for the college application process, but it is a commiseration, and a humorous one at that. My family is on the brink of starting this process (eldest child is in the second half of sophomore year of high school), and I have every fear and trepidation you can name, plus a lot of confusion. Ferguson is mystified by how the college process has become such a circus in the past few decades. What was a non-issue in the 70s and 80s is today's arms race. He sets out to find answers, by interviewing college admissions officers and application coaches, and by fully immersing himself in the process himself, even going so far as to retake the SAT.I certainly don't feel any sense of reassurance that this process is going to be easy and that my kid is going to get into the kind of school I want him to get into, but I did laugh a lot while I read this book.
What do You think about Crazy U: One Dad's Crash Course In Getting His Kid Into College (2011)?
Really enjoyed this book. A humorous, informative look at the crazy college admission process.
—ironwood
Humorous however not exactly helpful when you are in the throws of college applications!
—valyvmg
2011- Okay read about one father's quest to get his son into college. Just meh.
—Norval
Every parent who is sending a kid off to college should read this!
—hanksgam
Interesting book. Didn't learn much, but enjoyed it.
—Pipinilla
