Customer Reviews

Hacking Harvard

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This book is a thriller that matters. It has lots of things to say about the college admissions system, but none of it feels like it's being spooned to you.

As I read the first 75 pages or so, I thought this is great plot, but is there going to be a heart to the story. And then there was one. I liked that. I wanted to care for the characters more as the story went on, to be really involved in their plot, and I did.

I also liked that they began to question themselves more and more, and I loved LOVED the ending (but I won't spoil it for you). I also liked the descriptions of some of the slimier characters in the book. Real people who only think of themselves are exactly like this

I enjoyed this book a lot, but the plot is a bit unbelievable. I mean, how likely is it that three seventeen year old super-geeks would be able to hack into Harvard and get a complete slacker in? But even with that said, I still thought it was a very good book. The four main characters balance each other out nicely and I like the pace at which the author develops the plot. Overall, it was a good book that I would recommend.

As a student not yet in high school, it was interesting to read about the whole application process to the best college in the country - Harvard. Basically this whole plot is about how three very intelligent boys try all the tricks up their sleeve to get one fully unqualified slacker into Harvard. From the beginning to the end, Robin Wasserman will keep you turning pages to find out what happens next. Wasserman also does a very good job making the three main characters in the book realistic and human. It made it easy for me to relate to the characters, especially Eric Roth.

All in all, this book was eye-opening and funny. I would suggest it to any teenager from ages 12 and up. Happy Readings!

I was looking for something amusing about the whole overheated college admissions process. "Hacking Harvard" seemed a good choice. And, the first few pages, skimmed in the book store, seemed interesting. But the book slowly lurches downward. The characters, particularly the parents, are shallow. The point of view lurches about in a distracting and confusing manner - so much so that once or twice I had to page back to make sure I knew who was talking. The portraits of Harvard-associated adults - parents and admissions personnel alike are pointlessly exaggerated, cruel and unrealistic. Moral dilemmas are brought up and then tossed aside. And, finally, yes, the plot is unrealistic and based on the self-serving concept that a band of bright teens are much smarter than the entire Harvard admissions staff, and that said staff is completely unprepared for any hacking attempts. It's not unrealistic to imagine any one of the various stunts used working, but it is very unlikely to imagine so many of the succeeding. The plot also depends on nearly all the Harvard admissions staff being stuffy, boring, and easily hoodwinked by BS - and my knowledge of Harvard staff is very different.
Now, all the unrealistic aspects of this book could be overlooked if it was a well-written and amusing romp - I think of "The Mouse that Roared" as a absurd concept that couldn't work but does. But a certain nasty undertone, cardboard characters, and poor writing make it impossible for this reader to enjoy "Hacking Harvard".

its ridiculously funny and even though a little predictable with some things its still an awesome story and since i just started college it gave me some ideas ;D

If you are a high school student who, like everyone else, cringes in fear when they think about applying to college, pick up this book. This work is a sort of surreal story that one can only dream about. I am not a very big reader, but boy this book kept me hooked, early and often. His diction is perfect, witty, yet easy to understand. If you liked this book you should most likely see the movie: The Perfect Score(2004). It's about a bunch of high school kids who think of doing the impossible, stealing the answers to the SAT test. Both that movie and this book have similar themes but nevertheless, you will love both!

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When I first started reading Hacking Harvard, I thought, "Oh no! We have a dud." Well, thankfully I was wrong and it quickly picked up the pace. Of course, I've learned to give a book more than 20 pages before judging it.

Hacking Harvard was snarky, witty, and very fast paced. It was fun and I often found myself laughing. It was also very original though it kind of reminded me of a movie called The Perfect Score.

The characters were well developed and authentic, each having their own distinct personality that separated them from the rest. There is Eric, the level-headed and righteous one of the group. Then we have Max who is all about the money and extremely impulsive. Schwarz is the geek of all geeks. At 16 he is a freshman at Harvard and the more gullible one of the three friends. Last, but definitely not least, we have Lex, our narrator. She's sassy, smart, and will do whatever it takes to win. I felt that I could see a little bit of myself in each of the characters, which is something I really loved about this book.

I thought Robin Wasserman did a superb job writing the dialogue, especially for the guys. However the random changes from first person to third person narrative could get a little confusing. Well, for me anyway.

The ending was satisfactory and tied everything up well but it was very brief and I couldn't help but feel that the whole book was spent leading up to the result only to end too suddenly. Although, I must say Wasserman had some terrific last sentences to end the book with.

All in all, it was a quick and enjoyable read that made me laugh and smile. Will I re-read it? Yes, I definitely plan to. It was a great story and I recommend this book to anyone looking for something to cheer them up, give them a good laugh, or who just want something good to read.

I read this book last year when I was in the middle of my own college applications worrying about getting into the perfect school for me. I never considered myself as bad as the narrator when it came to being an overachiever, but I was or still am. I was the yearbook section editor/Key Club member/NHS/Beta/AP classes. It was a perfect escape and a quick read that I would recommend to get your mind off the college application season or something light to just have fun reading.

I loved Hacking Harvard. The plot wasn't anything spectacular, but there were a few twists that I didn't expect. What really made the book come alive for me was the characters. You could picture every scene in your head so clearly.

Well worth the money and the time. Even though the outcome is pretty obvious, the journey to it will entrance.

I was very excited to read this book, but I had to reread the first chapter many times. And that was just the beginning of the confusion. It turned out to be an interesting book, but be prepared to work hard to get through it.