In NYC, just higher, not just ridiculously higher income families have nannies. And usually nannies are not the greatest at developing language or anything else in their charges. A good friend, part of a dual physician couple, told me that she found out her former nanny was giving the toddlers Benadryl just to put their to sleep.

But parents are generally aggressive about developing skills, so kids do get tutors, extracurriculars that make them push in something.

And it costs a lot to buy a seat in the IVYs. I know someone, the husband gave millions and the wife also gave a separate million to Harvard endowment, they were both alumni and their son did not get in. Someone else gave 10 mil and was told to get another year of high school and AP courses (and this was a top private school) before the kid could go to Harvard -- about 5 years ago. DH was involved in fundraising for his class at Harvard and was getting all these stories when he called his classmates.

Just heard of a girl getting into Harvard -- a piano student of DD's teacher. She is at Hunter, so has to be HG, is on the National ping pong team and is the model for Abercrombie and Fitch. And there is that piano on the side.

So it will be interesting to see the next generation of leaders we produce. It won't just be about getting into a good school and making money. They will have to show they can apply themselves to something and work for it.