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Personal Statement
Getting into college has never been harder. Can't rely on a perfect SAT score or a 5 on your AP Mandarin exam. Field hockey and basketball? Please. The real sport is Volunteering. Change the world—and tell Harvard all about it. In Jason Odell Williams’ hilarious first novel, Personal Statement, it’s open season on admissions—and a Category-3 hurricane is headed for Connecticut. Self-proclaimed tiger-daughter Emily Kim drags her best friend, apathetic test-taking genius Rani Caldwell, to the coastal town of Cawdor, where Emily’s sure her humanitarian efforts will make her Harvard application stand out from the pack. Problem so does everyone else. When Emily and Rani arrive, hundreds of other teenagers—including Robert Clinton III, gay, black and meant for the Sorbonne—are already in Cawdor with the same idea. Observing the battle royale is Alexis J. Gould, aide to the Governor and a veteran of the college admissions rat race. To the kids in Cawdor, it’s not a natural disaster. It’s an opportunity. Let the games begin!
209 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2013
9 people are currently reading
538 people want to read
About the author
Jason Odell Williams
10 books18 followersJason is an Emmy Award-nominated writer & producer of the television series, "Brain Games" -- the highest rated show on the National Geographic Channel. As a playwright, his work has been produced at regional theatres across the country and in New York City. Originally from Columbia, Maryland, and a graduate of The University of Virginia, Jason lives in New York City with his actress-singer-director-producer wife, Charlotte Cohn, and their daughter, Imogen who is working on her hyphenates as we speak. Personal Statement is his first novel. For more please visit jasonodellwilliams.com.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
July 16, 2013
I hate sitting still.
Let me clarify. I hate sitting still when I don't have to be and someting further off in my periphery is much shinier and more sparkly and much more sis-boom-bah than the sitting-still hypothetically at-hand. Which is why I don't read all that often anymore, even though I carry an undergraduate degree rather formally named--and very thoroughly, I might add--"English Language and [italics mine] Literature". (Yes. I know. I told you.) So it takes a really special story to not only compel me to take a seat but to also keep me still in said seat from cover to cover. And "Personal Statement", ladies and gentlemen, was--happily--that story. The characters, the flow, the speak, the 'buzz'...I happily tagged along with these young characters for what was a fictional whirlwind of a 48-hour period with abandon, taking in every page with sheer delight and unbridled amusement--ultimately charting their +/-48 hours in the real-time equivalent of less than a working day. (Yes. It was that delightful.) This book has a subtle crescendo all its own, made all that more distinct by its illicit charms and its refreshing audacity. Almost like a dance at certain points, I found myself wanting to cut in on the scene and join them...scold them...teach them...tell them...hear them...throttle them...protect them...quote them? (Yes. Yes, I did.) These four are characters unquestionably entertaining, endearing, efficacious, and--ultimately--believable. Just plain likable, actually. And all of this, bear in mind, from a debut young adult novel written by man who is old enough to be both husband and father. (Bravo, Mr. Williams. Bravo.) Pick up the book. Immerse yourself. And like them. Simply like them, as I did. Enjoy them, laugh at them, and then suggest them to others.
[This is a great book for all generations young adult and up, on many layers.]
Jason Odell Williams
Let me clarify. I hate sitting still when I don't have to be and someting further off in my periphery is much shinier and more sparkly and much more sis-boom-bah than the sitting-still hypothetically at-hand. Which is why I don't read all that often anymore, even though I carry an undergraduate degree rather formally named--and very thoroughly, I might add--"English Language and [italics mine] Literature". (Yes. I know. I told you.) So it takes a really special story to not only compel me to take a seat but to also keep me still in said seat from cover to cover. And "Personal Statement", ladies and gentlemen, was--happily--that story. The characters, the flow, the speak, the 'buzz'...I happily tagged along with these young characters for what was a fictional whirlwind of a 48-hour period with abandon, taking in every page with sheer delight and unbridled amusement--ultimately charting their +/-48 hours in the real-time equivalent of less than a working day. (Yes. It was that delightful.) This book has a subtle crescendo all its own, made all that more distinct by its illicit charms and its refreshing audacity. Almost like a dance at certain points, I found myself wanting to cut in on the scene and join them...scold them...teach them...tell them...hear them...throttle them...protect them...quote them? (Yes. Yes, I did.) These four are characters unquestionably entertaining, endearing, efficacious, and--ultimately--believable. Just plain likable, actually. And all of this, bear in mind, from a debut young adult novel written by man who is old enough to be both husband and father. (Bravo, Mr. Williams. Bravo.) Pick up the book. Immerse yourself. And like them. Simply like them, as I did. Enjoy them, laugh at them, and then suggest them to others.
[This is a great book for all generations young adult and up, on many layers.]
Jason Odell Williams
June 28, 2013
Personal Statement should be required reading for anyone who is in the process of filling out the Common App! A delightful look at what goes on inside the minds of young people who are repeatedly asked "so, what schools are you looking at?" and continuously pushed to succeed. As someone who has worked in college admissions I have met my fair share of Emily Kims and Williams does a wonderful job of bringing these characters to life. I wish 17-year-old me could have read this book.
August 25, 2013
This is a really difficult book to write a review for.
Reading it I was transported a year back when I was slaving over college applications and trying to draft the perfect personal statement.What I wouldn't have given for a Hurricane Sandy then just to have something to write about.
I could relate to this story perfectly. I could understand the pressure the characters were in with their future on the line, the cutthroat competition and the need to excel above and beyond all others that drove them forward. The fact that Williams infused a healthy dose of humor to show it surely helped.
This is a story that deserved to be told - and Williams has done an excellent job of it. I am usually wary of books written in multiple PoVs because the characters all sound like rinse-lather-repeat versions of each other. Not here. Each character's narrative has its own brand of uniqueness that belies their personality and...
*cue drumroll*
They are NOT one-dimensional. Also the growth of the characters as they found themselves in the span of the book was smooth, believable and completely relatable. That is definitely a win-win situation for me.
At the beginning, it was sorta confusing with so many characters being introduced separately and me having to keep track of who's who. But as their stories got intertwined and the the plot picked up I was completely and wholly hooked.
This book was unabashedly honest about the selfish workings of the human mind and as much as it made me laugh while showing me this - bravo! to the author.
Recommended to anyone who has ever been a student.
4 Stars
This ebook was provided to me by the publishers in exchange of an honest review.
Reading it I was transported a year back when I was slaving over college applications and trying to draft the perfect personal statement.
I could relate to this story perfectly. I could understand the pressure the characters were in with their future on the line, the cutthroat competition and the need to excel above and beyond all others that drove them forward. The fact that Williams infused a healthy dose of humor to show it surely helped.
This is a story that deserved to be told - and Williams has done an excellent job of it. I am usually wary of books written in multiple PoVs because the characters all sound like rinse-lather-repeat versions of each other. Not here. Each character's narrative has its own brand of uniqueness that belies their personality and...
*cue drumroll*
They are NOT one-dimensional. Also the growth of the characters as they found themselves in the span of the book was smooth, believable and completely relatable. That is definitely a win-win situation for me.
At the beginning, it was sorta confusing with so many characters being introduced separately and me having to keep track of who's who. But as their stories got intertwined and the the plot picked up I was completely and wholly hooked.
This book was unabashedly honest about the selfish workings of the human mind and as much as it made me laugh while showing me this - bravo! to the author.
Recommended to anyone who has ever been a student.
4 Stars
This ebook was provided to me by the publishers in exchange of an honest review.
July 1, 2013
I’m really glad Personal Statement was written. College admissions and competitiveness is not a topic often discussed in fiction even though they define the lives of countless students all over the country. The book’s focus on the ambitions of young people was refreshing, especially considering how this generation is often referred to as “lazy” or lacking in drive. Personal Statement makes it clear that high school students can be incredibly creative and innovative when given the opportunity. Another interesting message that I thought came through really clearly in the book was about the students’ lack of any definite goals other than college. It’s obvious Emily, especially, had a lot of energy and talent but seemed to lack any outlet for it other than college. This sense of “tunnel vision” amidst so much ambition was one of my favorite aspects of the story. Overall, I thought the author did a great job communicating the characters’ personal frustrations with so much humor.
I was very happy with the range of characters in the book, but was still left wishing I could have gotten to know them even better. Despite the first-person points of view, I felt the book was missing something in terms of character development. A big part of this had to do with how similar all the characters’ internal voices were, despite being a very diverse group. The repeated use of parenthetical statements largely contributed to this, as did many of the pop culture references. I was unsure whether or not this was intentional. Furthermore, the first chapter for each character contained a lot of information about their backgrounds while none of the others did. I think the story would work better if this exposition was more spread out, or expanded upon.
I was very happy with the range of characters in the book, but was still left wishing I could have gotten to know them even better. Despite the first-person points of view, I felt the book was missing something in terms of character development. A big part of this had to do with how similar all the characters’ internal voices were, despite being a very diverse group. The repeated use of parenthetical statements largely contributed to this, as did many of the pop culture references. I was unsure whether or not this was intentional. Furthermore, the first chapter for each character contained a lot of information about their backgrounds while none of the others did. I think the story would work better if this exposition was more spread out, or expanded upon.
August 14, 2013
This book is amazing! It has humor with depth, which is the very best kind. It is engaging, entertaining and witty while providing clever commentary on societal pressures to succeed and the real meaning of altruism. It pulls back the curtain on all those do-gooders you know (you know, the ones that spend 95% of their lives wearing a name tag)in the funniest way possible. It is written in the context of college applications but I would strongly recommend this book to anyone who has ever had to write a resume. This is satire at its very best.
September 7, 2013
This book truly isn't just for rising Freshmen--anyone who has ever considered a college education will LOVE it. The structure is fabulous as Williams carefully unveils new characters and plot points to suck you in right away. I can also see why it's been optioned for a movie so quickly. Williams writes in such a way that the "movie" easily plays in your head the entire time. Very funny in a very smart way. Is it possible there's a new John Hughes in our world?
June 8, 2013
Williams pokes fun at our society's current obsession with the college application process so cleverly and so accurately that you just can't put this book down. Having applied to college less than four years ago, myself, this is one of the most modern and relatable books I have ever read. Highly recommended to any student high-school or above and every parent.
August 6, 2013
Having just gone through the college application process last year with my daughter, this book was especially relevant and funny. It was a quick read that kept me engaged and I believe would probably lighten up the very tense time of applications.
June 7, 2013
Hilarious! I teach in a private school, and this completely resonated. Williams is a smart writer with a great sense of comedic timing. Highly recommend!
July 5, 2013
Delightful, funny look at the cut-throat world of college admissions, from the POV of several bright and variably ambitious students. A great read!
August 2, 2013
Absolutely loved personal statement. As a college student, it brought me back to the all too recent memories of the college application process. Hilarious, over-the-top, and addicting.
August 6, 2013
Whip smart and sharply observed, Jason Odell Williams' PERSONAL STATEMENT is a hilarious take on the coming of age novel. I couldn't put it down.
September 10, 2013
I love it! It grabbed me from the very beginning. The story pulls you in, and makes you think that this actually happens. I wish I could have read this before I graduated in May.
November 30, 2013
Read my full review on MINA'S BOOKSHELF http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2013/1...
Smart book! Wry social commentary disguised in young adult fiction and served with a healthy dose of humor makes for some refreshing read. Personal Statement is the irreverent portrayal of three ambitious college-bound students who will transform a natural catastrophe into an opportunity to boost their resumes and enhance their chances to be accepted by prestigious universities.
[...]continues on http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2013/1...
Williams' characters belong to a world of wealth and privilege, nuveau riche and old money: it won't be easy for everyone to relate to their status and background, although that very elitism provides the author with an hilarious foil for his social satire. Clearly Personal Statement strikes a chord, as it ridicules the absurdity of college admissions, a process that nowadays borders a mania at best, a real nightmare at worst. For many high-school students (and their parents), college application is an angsty and stressful experience: when a model of education values achievement over real knowledge, and trades love of learning for cut-throat values and an impossible ideal of perfection, we undermine our children's mental sanity and happiness. Not a promise of a bright future.
Smart book! Wry social commentary disguised in young adult fiction and served with a healthy dose of humor makes for some refreshing read. Personal Statement is the irreverent portrayal of three ambitious college-bound students who will transform a natural catastrophe into an opportunity to boost their resumes and enhance their chances to be accepted by prestigious universities.
[...]continues on http://minadecaro.blogspot.com/2013/1...
Williams' characters belong to a world of wealth and privilege, nuveau riche and old money: it won't be easy for everyone to relate to their status and background, although that very elitism provides the author with an hilarious foil for his social satire. Clearly Personal Statement strikes a chord, as it ridicules the absurdity of college admissions, a process that nowadays borders a mania at best, a real nightmare at worst. For many high-school students (and their parents), college application is an angsty and stressful experience: when a model of education values achievement over real knowledge, and trades love of learning for cut-throat values and an impossible ideal of perfection, we undermine our children's mental sanity and happiness. Not a promise of a bright future.
August 7, 2013
I really enjoyed Personal Statement!
Other YA books often make the mistake of getting overly stuck in meaningless teenage angst. Others have to create fantastical worlds just to give the characters some crisis. Jason Odell Williams avoids both of those mistakes by giving us characters who face a real world challenge (getting in to college in today's environment) and he hits the balance of humor and angst perfectly.
I recommend this book for sure! (even if you've already finished your applications... even if you finished them years ago!)
Other YA books often make the mistake of getting overly stuck in meaningless teenage angst. Others have to create fantastical worlds just to give the characters some crisis. Jason Odell Williams avoids both of those mistakes by giving us characters who face a real world challenge (getting in to college in today's environment) and he hits the balance of humor and angst perfectly.
I recommend this book for sure! (even if you've already finished your applications... even if you finished them years ago!)
August 28, 2015
I really enjoyed this book. The writing is witty (though in some places I think the author tries a bit too hard to be "hip") and sharp. I actually hated every character in this book at one point or another but that's ok because they are 17 and think they know everything about the world. I was never Ivy driven but I can remember what that college process was like. We all knew kids who were just like these kids (if we weren't these kids ourselves). Overall, a well written and very scary look at the lengths some will go to in order to be the perfect college candidate.
August 19, 2013
This book was an absolute blast to read! I was fascinated by how the high school landscape has changed in the last 20+ years. I found myself impressed at the characters' ambition, and when I worried that they may be missing an opportunity to enjoy themselves, in comes the great scene at the B&B captured brilliantly through social media. Fantastic! The characters are perfectly drawn - I saw parts of myself or others in my life in all of them, and therefore found them totally relatable. I am really looking forward to learning what comes next for them!
June 10, 2013
This book is a must read for anyone who has survived or is planning on going through the college application process. Fun-spirited and witty, the book is unable to be placed down! I began reliving my past through the individual tales of certain characters and would wholeheartedly recommend reading this book. And I guess that's my "personal statement."
July 15, 2013
Great modern youth novel that doesn't involve anemic vampires. Realistic portrayal of the stresses of applying to college that somehow manages to be both funny and biting. A must read for anyone who's applying or has applied to college.
July 13, 2013
Fun insight into that crazy time in young people's lives when their futures rest on one event. Enjoyed the read!
August 23, 2013
I loved this smart and very funny social satire of a novel. Told through the voices Emily Kim, Rani Caldwell, and Robert Clinton III, these three high schoolers are trying to write personal statements that will make their already laudatory college applications just that much more special. Alexis J. Gould is the fourth narrator, a grown-up version of the three teens and now trying to make her mark on the world. The voices are distinctive and believable. I rooted for these characters no matter how self-absorbed they got because they knew they were self-absorbed and as such often laughed at themselves. In fact, this fast, quick read is all about how they cope with realizing that life is bigger than them. if you're in high school and going through the college app. process, you'll relate to this little gem of a book. If you're older and out of college, you'll relate because no matter how old we get life still makes us navigate who we are. Highly recommend.
I was sent an advanced reviewer copy of this young adult title.
I was sent an advanced reviewer copy of this young adult title.
August 13, 2013
I really enjoyed this book! Since I am currently in the college application process myself, I could easily relate to the characters' situation. I loved the concept of the story and the dramatization of "competitive volunteering" and the extent that some kids will go to to beef up their resumes. Some of the pop culture references were irritating- I cringed when I read that someone was jumping for joy "oppa Gangnam style," and I thought that the relationship aspect of the characters' lives was a little far-fetched (I.e the involvement with Elijah, Mac, and Tyler). However, I'm so glad a book was written about academic competitiveness and the application process because it seems that so many other high school novels leave that issue out in favor of more focus on relationship problems. I highly recommend this book to anyone who is currently stressed out about the whole college application phenomenon.
January 20, 2014
This was a great read, I was very inetersted in all of the characters, and it's a great insight to how young people are approaching their college admissions, and indeed thier future lives in this modern age. I wish I had developed the sort of strategic thinking these kids had when I was in school. It really got me thinking about the relevance of the traditional university education in time where entrepreneurs can get themselves on the map with a great dot com or even a brilliant app! I loved the changing points of view, it kept me guessing and wondering who I was going to hear about next, and each one more surprising than the next.
January 5, 2014
I loved this book. It's a highly entertaining take on today's college admissions process.
July 13, 2013
I loved reading this. Brought me back to my days as a private high schooler who thought that this one decision would be the most important of my life. Really looking forward to Williams next book.
January 7, 2014
Really easy, light read. Took me 2 days.
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January 14, 2014I will definitely read Jason Odell Williams's second novel. Need I say more?
So damn clever.
So damn clever.
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As a rule, personal statements are one of the most decisive parts of the application to educational institutions, especially when we talk about the applicant's personality that hides behind the test scores and transcripts. Our service does our best to edit or proofread the essay so that the applicants have more chances to achieve their goals. Moreover, the site contains a knowledge base full of crucial information regarding personal statement writing. Professional editor Alex Rodgers shares his experience and knowledge to help the hopefuls make their personal statements outstanding. How To Write Personal Statement is exactly that service that can be trusted, you can click to see more. There is no challenge we can't cope with!
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May 3, 2023This book is really a great option for those who want to write a personal statement on their own. It is a really important document that affects admission. That's why I recommend checking out the help for personal statements https://www.personalstatementwriter.org/
August 24, 2023
Personally I feel like the epiphany came too quickly to some, and it focused mostly on one aspect of college applications. One core aspect I feel like was neglected was the construction of their college lists...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews