<p>Parents may say that if you aim for the moon and miss, you'll still be among the stars. In crunch time, however, parents sometimes get real with their kids, and say, "You have no chance of getting in here." </p>
<p>My parents seem pretty supportive, but they don't think I can handle the pressure. How about you?</p>
<p>Mine are actually the opposite lol, they think I could get into any college I aspire to go to… But then again I am only really applying to schools in my state, so it’s not like I’m applying to Harvard.</p>
<p>As a parent, I feel compelled to provide some possible context to their comments.</p>
<p>It is great to aim for the moon. Put in all the work possible in order to be competitive for admission to HYP. If you are successful in building a resume that measures up to the standards of HYP, then you will have great options whether or not you are admitted to Prestige U.</p>
<p>However, aiming for the moon does not mean filling out applications for every Ivy even though you have a 3.2 GPA and 1800 SAT scores. Applications are expensive and time-consuming. It might be more prudent to invest these resources in other areas. Certainly pick one or two Reach schools, but be realistic about your chances.</p>
<p>Also, academic environments vary. Some pre-med programs, or engineering programs, or other intense selective programs, are incredibly demanding. Many students are not prepared or equipped for these programs. Even if you were the best athlete at your high school, you probably will not be able to walk-on the football team at Alabama - it could be both foolish and dangerous.</p>
<p>Keep working hard and dreaming big. Hope for the best, but prepare for the worst. Best wishes!</p>
<p>My parents overestimate my chances…</p>
<p>I’m actually the only realistic one among my friends and family! I’m applying to Yale and Rice and everyone is saying to me, “Oh, you’re a shoe-in! You’re so smart.” I can’t make them understand that schools like Yale are reaches for anybody xD.</p>
<p>I aim my grades for Ivies. I don’t expect to get into an Ivy and I sort of don’t want to, but I try to make my grades as high as possible by using them as a standard. As a freshman, my final average was 94%. That’s not nearly good enough for an Ivy, and that’s what drives me to keep going. My parents have a lot of faith in me, but I don’t think they know just how hard it can be…</p>
<p>Where there’s a will, there’s a K</p>
<p>Sent from my iPod touch using CC</p>
<p>Oh, and thank you rmldad. I really appreciate your view as a parent. I know I have to be realistic, but being a sophomore I can’t help but dream. Did you personally go through this sort of situation?</p>