<p>bettina,
"That is just a lesson on what general kind of person applies to these schools. Often it is just very grasping students who care nothing for others, and only for their own glory and bragging rights. Or their parent's braggingg rights."</p>
<p>Sometimes. Othertimes, its because they want the wonderful eduation that these schools offer. As I have said before, iff you are - or have - a kid with a wonderful resume, there is a tendancy to insufficient paranoia in application strategy. The top students - in a whole entire country - should have a shot at the top schools. Right? Makes sense - but unfortunately not always true. </p>
<p>Alyssa made a mistake in evaluating her admissions probabilities. I don't get any sense that she is grubbing after prestige beyond that which is honorable: a desire to obtain the best education possible, and to better herself.</p>