... I entirely agree with you, Jon.
A lot of the posts in this thread have been in reference to Ivy League schools and how difficult it is to gain admission. A great education and a good career can be had outside of those schools, so why bother with a system that drives people nuts? There are lots of other quality choices.
Which is why we've opted out of the game, actually. We encourage DD to do things that matter to HER, or seem to provide a chance to mature in healthy ways. I notice that 4-H activities aren't on Harvard's list, nor is any sort of animal training aside from equestrian activities... so in short, being a student leader, a competitive dog trainer and handler in several events, a math tutor, an intermediate jazz pianist, and working with kids in community activities all counts for nothing in the face of another applicant who is, say... an openly transgendered cheerleader with an active interest in pole-dancing. Apparently, I mean.
George Fox or even the local public Uni is looking better and better, tyvm.
