Anonymous wrote:These poor kids. Seriously, it’s no wonder mental health issues among teens are so rampant. I say this as a parent of a kid who I would describe as high stats based on PPs definitions who I wish would just spend the next year doing what makes him happy instead of worrying about competing on this level.

Yeah, I have one too. With magnet, serious musical instrument, other big ecs, volunteering and sports, it gets to be too much. Every coach/teacher thinks their thing should be ultimate priority. DD is very accomplished, but it's easy to feel less than because of expectations and the kids who never sleep to study/practice/train better. And, then the top college rejections. It has been a growing experience to work through it and learn to choose and be happy with herself. Of course, it helps she's getting a some college love now.

To be fair, if you are good at one subject you can be a good teacher, you don’t have to be an overall high achiever to teach biology. As far as Top20 admissions go, if it was solely based on academics, only MENSA members would make it.