<p>This is an interesting topic.</p>
<p>On the one hand, as others have pointed out, it depends a lot on the grading standards of the college. At Harvard, it would be perfectly doable, for example.</p>
<p>On the other hand, too heavy a quest for grades (=money) can really get in the way of learning, especially intellectual risk taking. And the latter is a key component of a good college education (and one reason many colleges have core requirements and distribution requirements).</p>
<p>My advice? Thank mom, kiss the $$ goodby and move on. You wil have so many more interesting, exciting, challenging things to deal with in college, including having fun. If you personally like the challenge, go for it. If not, just smile and nod? </p>
<p>Is is doable?</p>
<p>On the way to drop off last September, my D mentioned that she planned to get As in school - at U. Chicago no less. I told her it was pretty difficult, in fact, almost impossible, at least based on its reputation, and if she did manage to do so, I'd pay her $200 each quarter she did so. I felt pretty safe, and realize we don't have a lot of spare cash, given private school costs etc. Right after she came home for winter break, I picked up my office phone one afternoon, and heard a voice singing on the other end "You owe me two hundred dollars...". Yes, she got an A- in the mix, but who was I to argue? So far, my innocent challege has cost me six hundred.</p>
<p>But, I can also say that my D just commented that she's not looking forward to going back to 6 hours (or less) of sleep a night when school starts this fall. I said nothing.</p>