<p>Tokenadult: If you're going to attempt to patronise me, you're going to have to up your standard of argumentation. Your argument is not even wrong - it is irrelevant. </p>
<p>What I am arguing is that admission to Harvard and its ilk has now got so competitive that it requires complete dedication from a very young age. The specific case of 14 year olds at college is immaterial. What is significant is that kids out there pay $10,000's for counsellors to tell them which courses to pursue, what EC's to pick, over a TWO YEAR period. You have NINTH graders out here asking what courses, what EC's they should be picking - and people answer them seriously. </p>
<p>It's not Harvard's fault, it's a reflection of society's immensely competitive nature, but it is tragic.</p>
<p>What is it with you Harvard cheerleaders - why are you so damn defensive?</p>
<p>ps your point about chances thread is nonesense. Chances thread are by definition irrelevant, you can't give a damaging response to them.</p>