Very frequently in my office I hear from parents struggling with their child's college application process. The range of their emotions can be anywhere from anxious to utter heartbreak.Yet, does getting the golden ticket to the top university mean a good outcome for everyone? What do we need to know about the realities of what we’re gunning for? What are the myths and realities of the process and longterm outcomes? I'm so glad to have had the conversation you’ll get to hear with former Stanford University admissions officer, Dr. Irena Smith (https://www.irenasmith.com/). She is the author of a new book called, The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays, that will help anyone going through the college admission process. Irena is currently working as a college admissions counselor and her book is a total treasure. She generously shares her wisdom gleaned from spending countless hours considering the applications of thousands of students and now assisting students through this process. What's more, Irena has a PhD in comparative literature from UCLA, so her book reads like having a cup of coffee with your best friend who happens to be a superior writer! Forbes said that her book, “can serve as a potential antidote to the fevered belief that being admitted to an elite college will spell the difference between a successful life vs. a doomed future.” I couldn’t agree more!  So, listen in as Irena and I talk about things you need to know about the college admission process and beyond. Book link: https://amzn.to/3NpQW6l This is an affiliate link. It will provide me with a small commission on purchases made through it and help the podcast (but it won’t affect the price you pay).