It's been 10 years since our oldest graduated from high school. The most successful are

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

Except it’s never actually been true. The most successful are the straight A students that are willing to take risk.

All the tech moguls were top of the class, though some dropped out of college (still with strong grades at the time).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

Except it’s never actually been true. The most successful are the straight A students that are willing to take risk.

All the tech moguls were top of the class, though some dropped out of college (still with strong grades at the time).

I agree, the PP is taking a lot of copium.
The reason C students start businesses is because noone will hire them for a decent job at decent pay.
So they are forced to take risks.
They are in the same boat as immigrants that must take risks with small business because they can't really get a good job.

The high ability/high risk people make a lot more money than the low ability/high risk people.
Stanford specifically seems to recruit students that fit the risk taking/high ability mold.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Tiger moms parent Tiger cubs. No one can Tiger mom a dud kid. Tiger cubs are highly motivated and love winning.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

All of them are married at 27? Do you live in the deep south or Pakistan?

Most high school class of 2014 are age 28 right now. And yes, high value smart couples are marrying in their early and mid 20s. We know a Yale '23 & Harvard '23 couple who got married last fall.

Let’s all meet back here in 30 years to see how many of them are still happily married.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lol. Sounds like wishful thinking to me, from a parent with a chip on their shoulder. Most-likely-to-fail hs student here, and I've been much more successful than the top students in my hs class.

Similar. I was in the bottom quartile in HS and attended a non-flagship state university. My motivation didn't kick in until the latter end of college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you are going to depend on anecdotal evidence, then I will add that I was a late bloomer. Barely slogged through high school and a non-stellar state university. But then I got myself together and I am very successful as an adult.

You are my daughter. She is much better in the work world than school world.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

This is definitely true for my high school. Our valedictorian, who went to Princeton, is a teacher in elementary school. One of my most successful HS friend graduated in the bottom quarter of our private school class, went to a mediocre college, an above average but not top law school and is now a partner in a top law firm making seven figures. There are several of us who graduated in the third quarter who are doing quite well, and better than the all A group.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

The only successful B/C students I knew were great salespeople, highly extroverted, fun to be around, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

This is definitely true for my high school. Our valedictorian, who went to Princeton, is a teacher in elementary school. One of my most successful HS friend graduated in the bottom quarter of our private school class, went to a mediocre college, an above average but not top law school and is now a partner in a top law firm making seven figures. There are several of us who graduated in the third quarter who are doing quite well, and better than the all A group.

I find it hard to use this adage in a private school context. I assume everyone came from wealthy or wealthiesh families?

I don’t think it matters where most Andover grads finish in the class vs how they end up in life.

Also, I can’t believe the person who finished tops and went to Princeton became a teacher for any reason other than that is what they wanted to do…not that they were fired by GS and ended up as a teacher (male or female BTW?).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

This is definitely true for my high school. Our valedictorian, who went to Princeton, is a teacher in elementary school. One of my most successful HS friend graduated in the bottom quarter of our private school class, went to a mediocre college, an above average but not top law school and is now a partner in a top law firm making seven figures. There are several of us who graduated in the third quarter who are doing quite well, and better than the all A group.

I find it hard to use this adage in a private school context. I assume everyone came from wealthy or wealthiesh families?

I don’t think it matters where most Andover grads finish in the class vs how they end up in life.

Also, I can’t believe the person who finished tops and went to Princeton became a teacher for any reason other than that is what they wanted to do…not that they were fired by GS and ended up as a teacher (male or female BTW?).

There are two english teachers at my kid's private school. Both were valedictorians in different years at same private, went to Princeton and Stanford and came back to teach at the school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

The only successful B/C students I knew were great salespeople, highly extroverted, fun to be around, etc.

Right only Bs and Cs that are sociable with high EQ and strong work ethic succeed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

Haven’t you ever heard the saying “As work for Bs and Cs?”

The most successful adults from my high school were B/C students. Turns out being a straight A student often translates to being risk averse in the work force. I’m not saying straight A students don’t end up in comfortable careers, I’m just saying B and C students who are more hands-on, enterprising, and hard working often land in successful roles too. So maybe they’re not lawyers or doctors, but they’re running very promising and successful businesses.

In other words, it’s not the grades or the school work as much as the personality that determines outcomes.

This is definitely true for my high school. Our valedictorian, who went to Princeton, is a teacher in elementary school. One of my most successful HS friend graduated in the bottom quarter of our private school class, went to a mediocre college, an above average but not top law school and is now a partner in a top law firm making seven figures. There are several of us who graduated in the third quarter who are doing quite well, and better than the all A group.

I find it hard to use this adage in a private school context. I assume everyone came from wealthy or wealthiesh families?

I don’t think it matters where most Andover grads finish in the class vs how they end up in life.

Also, I can’t believe the person who finished tops and went to Princeton became a teacher for any reason other than that is what they wanted to do…not that they were fired by GS and ended up as a teacher (male or female BTW?).

There are two english teachers at my kid's private school. Both were valedictorians in different years at same private, went to Princeton and Stanford and came back to teach at the school.

They like to be the smartest person in the room 😁 which is a lot easier to do if you spend the bulk of your day with kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Correct. Ambitious kids become ambitious adults.

+1
You’ll never convince me that top schools matter.

Because you didn’t have what it takes to go to a top school and don’t understand the network grads have.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The most successful young adults who are now 27 or 28 years old were the top students in their high school class, no matter where they went to undergrad. From Ivies to tiny liberal arts college to fairly regional public universities, they all zoomed through undergrad, sometimes in three years, many went to grad or professional school, and they all have great careers. It seems all of them are married.

The handful of middle of the pack students and student-athletes who surprised everyone when they got into elite T20s regressed to their mean and have totally normal careers, at best.

It seems smart ambitious highly-motivated teens become smart ambitious highly-motivated adults. And if your teen is not those things, Tiger Mom'ing them into an elite college probably isn't going to change anything about their life and professional trajectory.

All of them are married at 27? Do you live in the deep south or Pakistan?

Most high school class of 2014 are age 28 right now. And yes, high value smart couples are marrying in their early and mid 20s. We know a Yale '23 & Harvard '23 couple who got married last fall.

The majority of young marriages end in divorce.

Only if not college educated.