I actually haven't read this book but I can't help notice that the picture on the front is of the University of Montana campus. As a Brown student from Montana, it makes me think I should have just stayed at home!

I actually haven't read this book but I can't help notice that the picture on the front is of the University of Montana campus. As a Brown student from Montana, it makes me think I should have just stayed at home!

This book is an asset to any student applying to "most selective" schools because it gives detailed and candid information about what Ivy League colleges are looking for.

Although the basic message here is unsurprising (like another reviewer says, it boils down to "be the best"), a lot of the details are helpful. For instance, it addresses a few perennial questions like "B in an AP class or A in a regular class?" and "Is depth or breadth more important when it comes to extracurriculars?" The specifics will be helpful to anyone who is already basically familiar with the Ivy League admissions process. More importantly, the book represents a real-life inside perspective on the Ivies.

At the same time, it's not a very well-written book. No grammatical errors, but it's quite wordy, full of weak verbs and obvious introductory remarks. This sounds like a minor problem, but it makes the book much harder to slog through than Michele Hernandez' books (A is for Admission and Acing the College Application), which are just as informative, much better written, and in general a better place to start.

If you are applying to Ivies and do not have an excellent college counselor, and you have already read Hernandez' books, I recommend this book as a highly informative inside perspective.