“Speaking of sports, I know a kid whose parents have spent in excess of $40k on private coaching fees and travel expenses just this year alone. Smart kid, highly rated in the sport (nationally ranked top 50 or so). Believe me, “privilege” is not going to be an impediment at the Ivies for this kid.”
Yeah - sports are evaluated a lot differently ,and more positively, than summer programs, especially if it helps them become a recruited athlete. Again the hypocrisy should be noted but not really something that should surprise anyone. Parents spending $10K on an athletic summer camp, (one of my colleagues sent his kid to a speed camp e.g.) is fine but spend that $10K on sending a kid to South America or Africa - not fine.