A Is for Admission: The Insider's Guide to Getting into the Ivy League

A Is for Admission offers guidance on the Ivy League admissions process from a former Dartmouth admissions officer. The book breaks down the evaluation methods used by elite colleges to assess applicants and make decisions. Hernández presents specific strategies for strengthening college applications across academics, extracurricular activities, essays, and interviews. The text includes data on admissions statistics and examples of successful application components. The author explains the inner workings of admissions committees and dispels common myths about what elite colleges seek in candidates. She provides detailed advice for each stage of the application process, from course selection in high school through final submission. The book serves as both a practical manual and an examination of the complex factors that determine access to elite higher education in America. Through its clinical analysis of admissions practices, it raises questions about merit, privilege, and opportunity in American education.

Readers value the detailed insider perspective from Hernández's time as a Dartmouth admissions officer. The book reveals specific criteria and scoring systems used to evaluate applications. Likes: - Clear breakdown of how applications are reviewed - Academic index calculations and score tables - Specific examples of successful essays and applications - Tips on course selection and extracurricular strategy Dislikes: - Information feels dated (published 1999) - Tone comes across as elitist and discouraging - Focus on perfect scores/grades creates anxiety - Limited advice for non-traditional applicants Many readers note the book can induce stress about the admissions process. One reader called it "unnecessarily intimidating for average students." Others appreciate the unvarnished reality check about competitive admissions. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.8/5 (289 ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (165 ratings) The book remains recommended for its data-driven insights, despite age and potentially demoralizing tone.

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📚 Author Michele Hernández worked as an Assistant Director of Admissions at Dartmouth College for four years, where she evaluated approximately 5,000 applications annually. 🎓 The book reveals that Ivy League schools use an Academic Index (AI) to evaluate candidates, combining SAT scores and GPA into a single number between 60-240. 📋 According to Hernández, top colleges often divide applicants into "academic readers" (primarily evaluated for grades) and "personal readers" (assessed more holistically) during the review process. 🌟 The first edition was published in 1997 and caused significant controversy in admissions circles by exposing previously guarded details about how elite colleges evaluate candidates. 💡 After publishing this book, Hernández launched her own college admissions consulting firm, charging up to $40,000 per student for comprehensive admissions guidance packages.