The Admissions summary

Striving for Perfection

In The Admissions by Meg Mitchell Moore, we are introduced to the Hawthorne family, who appear to have it all. Nora, the mother, is a successful doctor, and Charlie, the father, is a respected English professor. Their eldest daughter, Angela, is a straight-A student and is on track to become valedictorian. Their middle daughter, Cecily, is a talented artist, and their youngest, Maya, is a budding musician. The family resides in an affluent neighborhood in Northern California, and on the surface, everything seems perfect.

However, underneath the façade, cracks begin to show. The family is under immense pressure to maintain their image of perfection. Angela is determined to secure a place at Harvard, following in her father's footsteps. Cecily is struggling with the pressure to excel in her art, and Maya, the youngest, feels overlooked. Meanwhile, Nora is dealing with a demanding job, and Charlie is preoccupied with his own issues.

The College Application Process

As the family navigates the college application process, tensions rise. Angela's obsession with getting into Harvard becomes all-consuming, and her relationship with her family becomes strained. Nora and Charlie are also grappling with their own midlife crises, and their marriage is showing signs of strain. Cecily and Maya, who feel neglected in the chaos, begin to act out in their own ways.

The stress of the college application process reaches its peak when Angela is deferred from Harvard. She is devastated, and her disappointment affects the entire family. The Hawthornes are forced to confront their unrealistic expectations and the toll it has taken on their relationships. They realize that their pursuit of perfection has caused them to lose sight of what truly matters.

Revelations and Realizations

As the Hawthornes navigate this tumultuous period, secrets come to light. Nora discovers that Charlie has been hiding a serious health issue from her, and Cecily admits to a significant mistake she made in the past. These revelations force the family to reevaluate their priorities and the way they communicate with each other.

Ultimately, the family begins to heal. Angela comes to terms with the fact that her worth is not solely determined by the college she attends, and she starts to explore other options. Nora and Charlie confront their issues head-on and recommit to their marriage. Cecily and Maya, feeling seen and heard for the first time, begin to find their own paths.

A New Beginning

In the end, the Hawthornes emerge from the college application process and its aftermath as a stronger, more authentic unit. They learn to let go of their pursuit of perfection and embrace the messiness of life. The admissions process, which initially threatened to tear them apart, ultimately becomes a catalyst for growth and self-discovery.

In The Admissions, Meg Mitchell Moore expertly captures the pressures of modern-day parenting and the college application process. Through the Hawthorne family's journey, we are reminded of the importance of authenticity, resilience, and the unconditional love that binds families together.