I wouldn't get into my alma mater today - what chance do my kids have?

[Anonymous]

I am a Cornell alum from the mid-90s. I was a first generation Eastern European immigrant - arrived as a teenager from a school system with a much more advanced curriculum - I suppose that made me look smarter than I actually was. My DD is a great, bright kid, but there is no way on God's green Earth she is getting into an Ivy or anywhere close.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The bright spot, you don't NEED to go to college to learn .. so many choices: open course material, classes etc.

We are a bit screwed, my kid is hell bent on CS and we are Asians. He is genuinely interested in CS.. he is pretty good .. top 10% of class but just can't compete with kids qualifying for USJMO (after AIMIE in 7th-8th grade). He has his heart set on top Ivy plus ..and I am trying to get him to be realistic about the competition and lottery especially considering he is an Asian Male.

The kids of any race who are making it into top Ivies aren't in the top 10%, they are in the top 1%, unless they go somewhere super selective for high school. And the other 99% of kids aren't "screwed", they have plenty of other options.

Not really. Straight A's are very difficult unless the kid is gifted.