Irena Smith

About The Author

Irena Smith is a college admissions expert and the author of the award-winning memoir The Golden Ticket: A Life in College Admissions Essays. Born in Soviet Russia and raised in the United States, she weaves her experiences of migration, generational expectations, motherhood, and memory into her writing. Irena lives in the San Francisco Bay Area with her husband, a rotating cast of children, and two cats who are working on resolving their differences. You can find more of Irena's writing on Substack at @irenasmith.

Books by Irena Smith

Troika

Three Generations, Three Days, and a Very American Road Trip

By Irena Smith
In this lyrical and artfully woven memoir, a short road trip to California’s Central Coast becomes an epic journey through family history, loss, and connection.
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The Golden Ticket

A Life in College Admissions Essays

By Irena Smith
What do we, as parents, really mean when we say we want the best for our children?
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