Crazy for College, Praise
“As a grandmother raising two boys who lost their parents, I can’t overstate how invaluable Beth and Nancy were in guiding them through the college application process. Their focus on the boys’ strengths and interests, and the encouragement and tools they provided, made all the difference. When I later read Crazy for College, I recognized that same warmth, wisdom, and practical perspective on every page. I can’t recommend it highly enough.”
—MICHELLE KNAPP, grandmother and guardian of two boys who lost their parents
“Crazy for College is an incredibly helpful guide for anyone navigating the college process, including first-generation and low-income students and families who don’t always have access to insider knowledge. It brings clarity, compassion, and practical guidance to a system that often feels overwhelming—and reminds readers that behind every applica- tion is a young person finding their way.”
—SAM WALLIS, Executive Director, YPIE (Yonkers Partners in Education)
“Even after twenty years in admissions, I found myself nodding and laughing out loud at Beth’s insights. Crazy for College is a must-read for any parent who wants to survive the college process intact—and sane. With humor, humanity, and expertise, she reminds us to focus on what really matters: our child and our relationship throughout the journey.”
—DR. MEGAN STUBBENDECK, Ph.D., CEO Arbor Bridge, a leading test prep and tutoring firm
“With warmth, wit, and wisdom, Beth Gelles has written an indispensable guide for anyone frantically seeking a roadmap through the tangled maze of today’s college appli- cation process. As the spiritual leader of a congregation in a college-crazed community, I am eager to recommend Crazy for College, which will take the anxiety of applying down several notches and help parents and students joyfully discover what really matters as they embark on this important journey.”
—RABBI JONATHAN BLAKE, Senior Rabbi, Westchester Reform Temple (Scarsdale, NY)
“After decades as Head of Guidance at Long Beach High School and now as a private consultant, I’ve seen families overwhelmed by the admissions process. Crazy for College is the guide I wish every parent could read from the start. It’s wise, funny, and reassuring, like Beth herself. I plan to give this book to every family I work with.”
—CAROLYN CUTTLER, Former Director of Guidance, Long Beach High School (NY)
“Crazy for College captures the same blend of humor and heart that guided each of our three children through the admissions process. It’s a lifeline for any family, wherever they may be.”
—ALEXANDER MACRIDIS, father of three college graduates (Yale University), Athens, Greece
“Crazy for College is the voice every overwhelmed parent needs in their ear—wise and deeply reassuring. Beth Gelles brings years of experience, humor, and heart to the cra- ziness of college admissions. Her guidance helped both of our sons, two very different students, navigate the process with confidence. This book is a gift to any family trying to make sense of the madness.”
—DR. LESLIE SOLOSHATZ, pediatrician and mom of two college graduates (University of Pennsylvania and Boston University),Pittsburgh, PA
“Beth Heller Gelles delivers wise and compassionate guidance to parents on navigating the college process with their teens. Through compelling anecdotes and fascinating commentary, Gelles describes the uncertainty that permeates the college admissions process, often contributing to significant anxiety and distress among applicants and their families. She offers evidence-based strategies to alleviate this stress, providing a blueprint for how to maintain balance, perspective, and joy throughout the process.”
—EMILY STERN, Ph.D., Clinical Psychologist
“Coming from a huge public school, I often felt like just another number in the college pro- cess. Beth and Nancy helped me figure out what I actually wanted in a school, not what I thought I was supposed to want, and that clarity led me straight to the University of Miami. I’ve never been happier. I found my place, my people, and a path that feels like mine.”
—ETHAN, University of Miami
“Transferring felt like a disappointment at first. I wasn’t sure if leaving Wake Forest was the right move or if I’d ever find the environment I needed. Beth and Nancy helped me understand what wasn’t working and see what could work. Boston University ended up being the perfect fit. I’m thriving here in every way.”
—OLIVIA, Boston University
