<p>Ah, the fine line between advice and self-righteous posturing…</p>
<p>Many students who apply to the ivy’s feel they are the chosen ones, that their chances are much better than unclothed hordes who have no business applying to the top schools.</p>
<p>Always have a fall back plan, no one is a shoo-in unless your grandfather donated the new stadium. </p>
<p>Corollary: Never underestimate the competition</p>
<p>Don’t drink the punch.</p>
<p>My colloquial version of William Blake’s “You never know that which is enough unless you know that which is more than enough.”</p>
<p>It’s valuable to know where the edge of the envelope is, and going past the edge - i.e. exceeding one’s capabilities - helps you define the edge. </p>
<p>This also helps separate thoughtful people and idiots, since the latter believe this is a call for excess as a way of life.</p>
<p>Never argue with an idiot.</p>
<p>Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.</p>
<p>A friend is someone you know all about but like them anyway.</p>
<p>just because your head is shaped like a hub cap, doesn’t make you a Big Wheel!!</p>
<p>those [admission] letters that they receive in April are far more a reflection of the needs of the institution than they are a commentary on the student’s ability to be successful in the future</p>
<p>From this article:</p>
<p>[Inside</a> the college admissions process - TODAYshow.com](<a href=“http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41622747/ns/today-parenting?gt1=43001]Inside”>http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/41622747/ns/today-parenting?gt1=43001)</p>
<p>Also:
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