I can’t give a binary answer. In its admissions context, I find it hard to see as a binary question. The answer is: it depends. If the half-court shot has worked for you, I’d guess you fully understand the risks. And accept them.
Absolutely, I encouraged my kids to rigor, as an educational and life philosophy. But I knew how any B’s could backfire, in admissions. And I continued to encourage them, post-grad, to take the greater challenges. But it’s where you try to suggest taking the challenges inherently makes one a better candidate, even a more likely pick, that the reality of the monstrous competition comes to mind. Including the complexity of factors.
Mandalorian, please use the Race and College Admissions thread to vent. Or speculate. Many build assumptions on top of assumptions.