The exceptional kid 25 years ago had AP classes, SAT > 1500, and some outside activities. Today, this is the norm. Kids are so much smarter and parents so much more prepared that the normal AP stuff is not a separator at all.




Sigh. As someone who researches educational inequality for a living, this thread is now depressing me. This is only the norm for SOME schools and the degree of difference between those schools and the rest is increasing, making it much less likely that a talented student who doesn't go to those schools or have a family that can afford the extra tutoring and test prep, etc. will have a shot at attending a top university.