@Trixy34 I know individual results may vary but in our family hard work has never been wasted (playing the lottery is wasteful). Particularly when targeted towards academics and things you have passion for. If long odds are enough to get you to wave the white flag without even trying what are we teaching our kids.
Also as my old lacrosse coach said you miss 105% of the shots you dont take.
Not debating it with you, but I think it better to support a kid who shows ambition, sets lofty goals and works their but off then tell them they are helpless. The odds are rough but kids do get in.