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It’s not about liking pepperoni, it’s announcing that you plan on marrying Katy Perry; a plan that shows little relation to much research or reality. It is about the tell. When student starts blabbing about getting into an “Ivy League” or how Harvard is their dream school, I immediately know two things: 1) they know very little about college admissions 2) They will never be admitted to any of these schools. When a student starts talking about Reed or Bates, I know on the basis of their distinctive interest that they have informed themselves and probably stand a good chance of going to those schools. I didn’t start this thread to make anyone feel bad. Some kids, to have this process be worthwhile, need to take off the blinders, get informed, and wake up to reality. They will ultimately be happier and find a good fit as opposed to chasing a unicorn over a rainbow.</p>