<p>I have been reading posts on here because our daughter unexpectedly got into Harvard, and is trying to decide whether to go. I’m going to stop reading things on CC, because it is giving me an impression of Harvard students, or at least those who aspire to be Harvard students, that is troubling.</p>
<p>I don’t think it is putting it too strongly to say that you are spiritually sick. Do you do anything at all in life without thinking about how it will “look” on your resume? Do you even know how to be an authentic person?</p>
<p>In my experience, and I am in my late 50’s, failure is a great teacher. Getting in to Harvard will ultimately only make this sickness worse. Maybe you and all the others who are living in this way should take a year off and do something nice that noone knows about but you. Or take some great classes at a state college or university, where students work full-time or have kids and still do school. It might change your definition of success.</p>
<p>I am not trying to be mean. I hope that someday these thoughts will help you.</p>