<p>You nailed it, cosar. It's the combination of the sheer overwhelming numbers of accomplished applicants, combined with expectations (family, peer, both), combined with resistance to the message. That explains the constant drumbeat of denial, confusion, elaborate attempts to explain away results, & protestations about the inequities of the system.</p>
<p>I agree with you: all things considered -- and that's a lot of "things" (!), the Universities & colleges, including the Ivies, actually do a pretty good job trying to create a balanced student body of excellence. It will not be all-inclusive of every excellent student. <em>That</em>'s what's supposedly "imperfect" about the system.</p>
<p>Thank you for that clear & well-written post.</p>