I appreciated the alternative perspective that this book chose to take. All that privilege and their parents still chose to try and cheat. I really enjoyed reading this.

I enjoyed Tell Me Three Things by this author, and I also like this story where we follow Chloe as she finds out that her mom is being arrested on charges of a college admissions scandal. Chloe wrestles with her mom's choices in the aftermath, and questions how much of this is her own fault. Very topical since her mom is an actress, and the novel put me very much in mind of the real life scandals involving Felicity Huffman and Lori Loughlin.

"Admission" by Julie Buxbaum is a poignant and thought-provoking novel that delves into the complexities of privilege, ambition, and the pursuit of excellence in the competitive world of college admissions. Buxbaum's insightful storytelling and nuanced characterization create a compelling narrative that resonates with readers long after they've turned the final page.

The story follows the lives of two women: Chloe Berringer, an ambitious high school senior from a wealthy family, and Nicole, a young woman struggling to make ends meet while working as a housekeeper at Chloe's prestigious private school. As Chloe navigates the pressure-cooker environment of college applications and SAT scores, Nicole grapples with her own dreams and aspirations, all while trying to provide for her family.

Buxbaum's exploration of privilege and inequality is both timely and thought-provoking, shining a light on the systemic barriers that prevent many talented students from accessing higher education. Through the alternating perspectives of Chloe and Nicole, readers gain insight into the stark disparities of opportunity and resources that shape their respective journeys.

The characters are richly drawn and deeply human, each with their own flaws, vulnerabilities, and desires. Chloe's struggles with perfectionism and parental expectations are juxtaposed with Nicole's resilience and determination in the face of adversity, creating a powerful contrast that highlights the inherent inequities of the college admissions process.

At its core, "Admission" is a story about empathy, compassion, and the importance of recognizing our shared humanity. As Chloe and Nicole's lives intersect in unexpected ways, they learn valuable lessons about privilege, empathy, and the true meaning of success.

Overall, "Admission" is a compelling and emotionally resonant novel that offers a powerful exploration of privilege, ambition, and the pursuit of higher education. Julie Buxbaum's masterful storytelling and compassionate portrayal of her characters make this a must-read for anyone grappling with the complexities of the college admissions process and the broader issues of equity and social justice in education.

I picked this book because it reminded me of the admission scandal, and it did not disappoint! I really love how the Buxbaum wrote a family you had reasons to hate in the beginning, but found yourself rooting for by the end. It was definitely a fun read.

"Admission" by Julie Buxbaum, while tackling a relevant and sensitive topic of privilege and college admissions, falls short in delivering a compelling narrative. The dual perspective narrative, alternating between a high school senior's point of view and a college admissions officer's, struggles to maintain a cohesive and engaging storyline. The characters lack depth and fail to evoke strong empathy, making it challenging for readers to connect with their struggles. The attempt to blend humor into the serious subject matter often feels forced, resulting in an uneven tone throughout the novel. Despite the potential for a thought-provoking exploration of privilege and ethics in college admissions, "Admission" ultimately lacks the depth and nuance needed to elevate it beyond a surface-level examination of the issue.

2 stars

I’m not sure how I feel about this one still. I liked it while I was reading it but I found it very forgettable. I did really like the characters and the story line.

This book felt real in ways I feel we are all too familiar with. It is bold in all of the right ways and very relevant to modern day issues. Would recommend.

A ripped from the headlines, but fictional, point of view, of a high schooler caught in the college admissions scandal. Chloe Wynn Berringer lives a privileged life in Beverly Hill s, child to wealthy parents, her mother being a B list actor. While Chloe has never wanted for anything, she’s also never been extraordinary, she’s an average student, doesn’t play sports, and her only extracurricular is volunteering to read to underprivileged children. While her peers are planning to got to Ivy League schools, Chloe’s reach school is SCC, and her parents are willing to do anything to get her in. When the FBI show up at Chloe’s door one morning she is forced to confront how culpable she was in the scandal. What did she know and when did she know it? And will losing everything mean finding herself?

A wonderful fictional look at the very real college admissions scandal. The main character is relatable and her growth through the book is exceptional. This coming of age story is perfect for every reader getting ready to graduate high school and move onto college, a gap year or anything else.

I have mixed feelings about this one. It was definitely the subject matter, and how it was handled. The writing was good, that wasn’t the issue. It was the story itself of poor rich, clueless, white girl whose privilege wasn’t enough. I just can’t.

This was definitely a *wink wink* *nudge nudge* to that real life situation right?

Thanks to NetGalley / Edelweiss and the publisher for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for a review.

I would have been impressed with this if it was written pre college admissions scandal of 2019. But this is basically “torn from the headlines” and full of regurgitated stories of what happened in real life. Unfortunately the lack of originality and spin on a true story made me feel like I was just rereading about the scandal.

I received an advanced copy through Netgalley in return for an honest review.

I was looking forward to how the college admissions scandal would be portrayed in fiction, & this didn’t fully hit the mark for me. It’s way too reminiscent of Lori Loughlin’s life — her hit TV show, two daughters & a stepson, etc. — though I think I’m still a bit burned by Aunt Becky’s betrayal. I would’ve appreciated a more creative or unique take on the family. Chloe, the main character, doesn’t fully understand her privilege. She tried, but she didn’t get there. I did love the supporting characters — Isla, Shola, Mrs. Oh, Cesar. They’re worth the three-star rating.

Thanks to Netgalley, Julie, and Delacorte for an advance copy of Admission…over two years ago.

Chloe was basically born with a silver spoon in her mouth. Mom is a B-list celeb, they’ve never hurt for money. Her long-time crush is her prom date. Her best friend is the most supportive person, even when Chloe got into their dream school and she didn’t. But then the FBI comes to the door to arrest her mom under suspicions of being involved in a college admissions scandal.

This new life is nothing that Chloe is used to and it creates issues not only within her family and friends, but within herself as well.

To be honest, all I could think about was Lori Loughlin while reading this book. And I know Julie has said that it’s not directly related to any single scandal, but when you throw in the ‘b-list celeb’ angle…that’s really all I could see. That didn’t bother me, just wanted to throw it out there that it does draw a very strong comparison to Lori’s case.

As with most YA contemporaries, this didn’t hit me in my feels as it would’ve if I’d read it 20 years ago, I’m sure, but it did make me think about my role as a parent and how as parents we always say that there’s nothing we wouldn’t do for our kids without thinking about what that really entails sometimes. Would we lie, cheat, steal for our kids to get a leg up on their education? I can definitely say that this particular scenario never entered my mind when I have said I’d do anything for my son in the past.

Chloe wasn’t unlikable, she was actually flawed in a very real way. A lot of times people, especially teenagers, aren’t always aware of their advantages and what they really mean. If anything, it made her much more real and relatable and became almost a think piece for “am I also like this?”

The celebrity college scandal, told from the post of view of the celebrity child.

An interesting take on what parents and children will do to succeed, what they take for granted, and what it means to be a friend.

I loved Buxbaum's take on the celebrity college scandal. While this story played out in the media in excruciating detail, Buxbaum was able to provide a fresh take and told in her signature way, that constantly had me turning the pages!

I won’t lie, this has been sitting on my Netgalley shelf for a year plus and I kept saying “I’ll get to it, I promise.” And then would pick up a romance or something quick instead. Well, the time finally came - I was in a slump and chose this one and I’m so glad I did. Think Lori Loughlin and Mossimo but somehow worse and fictionalized?! That’s what it’s like reading about Chloe Berringer and the disgusting things celebrities will do with their money to get ahead and get their kids ahead. The arrogance! The lack of morals! The AUDACITY! I wanted to throw my kindle across the room several times. I *almost* started feeling bad for Chloe but I really felt sad for Isla, the younger sister. This was one that has me hooked from start to finish! If juicy books that piss you off and keep you glued to the pages are your thing, read this immediately!

I purchased this book for my high school library. My students have enjoyed it. and it has circulated well.

It's that time of year again - graduation season is upon us! Seniors in high school are getting ready to have their final summer before they head off to college. Those in college are moving out of their dorms and making plans for their next year. It's the perfect time to take a look at Admission by Julie Buxbaum.

If you followed the Lori Loughlin/Felicity Huffman college admission scandal, then you already know how the story will go. Chloe's story follows the highs and lows of Lori Loughlin's story, almost perfectly. I just happened to have back issues of US Weekly I had not read, and while I was reading this, I found the issue with Lori's face on the cover. In reading the article, there were too many similarities to count. The difference between the news and this book though are the different characters.

Yes, we find out what Chloe's mom was thinking (or not thinking) about when she decided to do what she did. Yes, we see what her dad is going through. But what we also see is how it affects, not only Chloe, but her little sister, who has worked hard to get to where she wants to be, her best friend Shola, who isn't as well off as Chloe, and her love interest.

We go through Chloe's journey of realizing what was going on, but also we see where she put on blinders, and just didn't worry about things she should have. Hey - even fictional characters have flaws! I enjoyed this quick young adult tale, and will make sure that I don't repeat these same mistakes when my kids head off to college!

This book gives great insight into the ways privilege impacts the education system and how it further perpetuates racial and financial inequality in our country. I enjoyed the reflection on the college admissions scandal and the way the author tackled some very important social issues head-on. I enjoyed this for what it is: a compulsively readable YA fictionalization of real-life events. Alternating between NOW & THEN, Chloe narrates the page-turning story of her college application process & the fallout when her mother is arrested for falsifying her application. Moral ambiguity abounds throughout. Chloe was 17, and there were plenty of red flags throughout her application journey. Her younger sister Isla’s unsympathetic “take no shit” attitude toward the rest of the Berringer family was my favorite aspect of this story. Chloe’s family is likeable but the privilege on display is breathtaking.