^ This. Kids applying to elite schools need to be able to self-advocate. But, more importantly, they need to self-regulate. Don’t apply to a school simply because you have the grades and scores and that school has a great reputation. Apply because you understand that school and why you are a good fit for their cohort. If I had a dime for every high grade/score kid who got rejected from an Ivy because they applied for “prestige,” rather than interest I’d be insanely rich – and, I would be buying @lookingforward long term care insurance (Sorry, @lookingforward, I’m fiscally responsible, so no vacations or beach houses.)