<p>I just read it cover to cover. I liked it a lot, it was a good read.</p>
<p>I finished the book yesterday and I would definitely reccommend buying it. It is a very entertaining read for anyone who is eagerly anticipating March 31 and to all who just want to read a good book.</p>
<p>just read it; the students are unbelievable... ahh.</p>
<p>I just finished the book today, and I bought it yesterday. It was a quick read because I couldn't put it down. This book is great, and I certainly would recomend it to anyone who I thought would enjoy it (basically anyone on this site).</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I'm definitely getting it for her now! : )</p>
<p>I thought it interesting that all except one of the students profiled were from families who had recently immigrated to the USA.</p>
<p>The results certainly supported what one hears about how hard it is to get into an Ivy League school.</p>
<p>I think it would be more interesting to hear what happens to students once they are at their chosen schools -- does the experience live up to their expectations?</p>
<p>You make a good point about follow-up. And, in fact, we WILL get some feedback on how all of these students fare in college. I've asked Joie (the author) to post something on CC down the road, and she said she would. But she doesn't want to spoil the ending just yet for those who haven't had a chance to read the book. I met her last month (was on a panel with her) and she gave me a quick update. Lisa (who was also on the panel) will not start college until the fall. (Unfortunately, she didn't make the Olympics.) The others are all thriving. I won't give specifics so that I, too, won't spoil the outcomes for those who haven't read the book yet. </p>
<p>I would also like to see a similar book about students who don't aim for such celebrated schools but who are likewise happy and successful in college ... and beyond. Perhaps a current CC reader will be the one to write it!</p>
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I would also like to see a similar book about students who don't aim for such celebrated schools but who are likewise happy and successful in college ... and beyond.
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<p>I'd like to see such a book too, but would it sell??</p>
<p>That was one criticism I had of The Overachievers. As I recall, one of the students profiled did end up at a lesser known school and the author didn't even name it for her readers.</p>
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<blockquote> <p>I'd like to see such a book too, but would it sell?? <<</p> </blockquote>
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<p>Well, you and I would buy it, so the author can count on unloading at least two copies. :)</p>
<p>I just heard from Fat Envelope Frenzy author Joie Jager-Hyman who gave me an update on the students she profiled in her book last year.</p>
<p>I still don't want to reveal the colleges that these students ended up attending, since this "spoiler" will ruin the ending for those of you who haven't read the book yet, but I will paste below Joie's news about Lisa, the Olympic-hopeful gymnast.</p>
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Since Fat Envelope Frenzy was published back in March, I've gotten tons of questions from readers who want to know how the students are doing since they graduated from high school. It's difficult to give a complete answer to this question on a forum like College Confidential because I don't want to give too much of the book away (most readers really want to find out for themselves where the kids in the book end up going to college). However, here are some things I can say.</p>
<p>First of all, everyone is really happy at the college in which they eventually enrolled. They're doing cool things like studying in Beijing over the summer, working in research labs and writing for their college newspaper. None of the students plans to transfer, and everyone seems to be looking forward to their second year.</p>
<p>The one exception is Lisa Wang, the fearless Fat Envelope Frenzy gymnast. Lisa is just beginning her first year at college now because she deferred her enrollment last year to compete in gymnastics and train for the Olympics.</p>
<p>Readers may have been looking out for Lisa at the Summer Olympics, and I am sorry to report that she wasn't there. After high school, Lisa won U.S. Nationals for the second time in May of 2007 and came in first in the Pan American Games (a competition for all gymnasts in North and South America) in July 2007. She then headed off to compete in the World Championships, where the top 20 gymnasts would go onto the Summer Olympics.</p>
<p>Unfortunately, Lisa placed 28th. The U.S. committee did not pursue her application for a wild card slot, and there were no American gymnasts competing in the rhythmic competition this summer (if you're curious about the difference between rhythmic and artistic gymnastics click here: Gymnastics</a>, - Articles%5DGymnastics">http://gymnastics.about.com/od/gymnastics101/a/gymtypes.htm))).</p>
<p>The New York Times wrote a great article about Lisa's Olympic journey (<a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/sports/othersports/13olympics.html)%5B/url%5D">http://www.nytimes.com/2007/11/13/sports/othersports/13olympics.html)</a>. But don't read the article if you don't want to know where Lisa ended up enrolling in college!</p>
<p>Despite not being able to complete in the Olympics, Lisa went on to win U.S. Nationals for the third time in May 2008. She also placed well in several other competitions, starred in a Brazilian television commercial, and traveled the globe.</p>
<p>Lisa is just now beginning her first year in college with all these incredible experiences behind her.
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