That was nuts and I don't see how it doesn't damage the kids

[CTDad-classof2022]

@Catcherinthetoast

What you are interpreting is not what is being said.

All schools that market (not just elites) highlight their resources and strengths. No school suggests you are a “failure as a parent” if your kid doesn’t get in.

In the thread you mention I didn’t see any post that suggested a kid “must” get into an elite to succeed professionally. Actually the vast majority of posts suggested every kid is unique and that a quality kid will find ways to thrive regardless of school. These comments were often paired with examples of resources that an elite provides that would serve as potential contributing factors as to why elites are so over represented in certain prestigious professions.

I understand people being frustrated and disappointed by an idiosyncratic and opaque system but as parents we shouldn’t perpetuate a false narrative that portrays our kids as victims of societal “propaganda”. First world problem when your kid has to “settle” for a non top 20 school.

I work with marketing people frequently, so I understand exactly what the elite colleges are doing. They are getting precisely the response they want to get, and it does become a self-reinforcing cycle for them, where they advertise out that [Name your T20 School] is the best path to success, get the career placement stats up as soon as possible, and the drive home the marketing message that students need to go there if they want to be successful. They then scoop up many of the top students, many of whom would have been just as successful anywhere they went to college, which results in better placement numbers down the road. Wash, rinse, repeat.

I know we are supposed to keep the board civil, but your interpretation of that thread borders on gaslighting. The thread you are talking about has literally dozens of posts about the number of top earners and average salaries 5 years out and number of CEOs from the elite schools. I tried to point out that there was a clear case of comparing apples and either got ignored or contradicted by those focused on the elite schools.

There was also a consistent level of hubris throughout the thread. This is a post you made in that thread. It was not the only one along these lines, but the theme is consistent.

@Catcherinthetoast

“Getting in is the hardest part”

I would respectfully disagree with the implication that higher aggregate GPAs at the most elite schools suggests a lack of academic rigor. At institutions where over 50% of matriculated students were HS valedictorian or saludadictorians, test scores in top 2%, ECs that indicate a history of engagement, top tier recommendations, etc you would and should anticipate a higher average academic result. The result of this vetting process is students whose performance merits on average the higher GPA.

If you cook with the most selective, high quality and freshest ingredients you tend to get the most consistent and best meals.

I won’t even bother to interpret it. The post speaks for itself.