<p>How can you label Juanmarco “spiritually sick”? Here is a young man striving for a worthy goal (excellence), while hoards of teens occupy themselves with alcohol, pot, video games, gangs, etc. He may realize the treasures to be experienced at Harvard (or other Ivys): expert profs, a saturation of history in the campus, incredible resources such as the Fogg Art Museum and the a JFK gov school, etc. </p>
<p>He is grasping reality–HYPSM require tremendous accomplishments of their applicants–there really is not enough time for a casual teen life, and plenty of sleep, if one is determined to meet their basic requirements. There will be plenty of time to smell the roses later in life.</p>
<p>And I bet, Compmom, that your daughter spent an incredible amount of time practicing her instrument to qualify for a conservatory, and Harvard.</p>
<p>With the costs of homes, cars, land, this generation does not have the luxury of the hippie era to eke out a living without some bonafide preparations. (I recall many of the hippies who dropped out of “the system” had money coming in from Daddy or trust funds for support.)</p>
<p>Good luck Juanmarco-- reach for the stars, realize that only 7% will get lucky, have backup safety schools, pursue your passions.</p>