There are hundreds of books available that coach kids to write attention-grabbing college application essays, improve SAT scores, and try to beat the admissions system. And there is a system. Rachel Toors Admissions Confidential is a fascinating look at why those books dont work. Toor lifts the veil on a process that thousands of anxious parents and high school students have never had decoded before. They may be shocked to find out: That elite colleges spend thousands of dollars recruiting students they will never admit How similar most applicants look on paper Why some students at the bottom of their high school classes are admitted to top schools while the valedictorians are rejected How students personal essays are read How pricey independent counselors can hurt an applicants chances Why admission to top schools depends on who reads the application Why the top of the class at a high-performing high school may end up at their second- and third-choice schools.