<p>I’m not buying the “I’d never get into my alma mater these days” except for a few that have changed considerably. Back in the day our parents didn’t run our lives. Many of us came from large families where we had to fend for ourselves. Our parents didnt sign us up for the right EC’s or even bother with our personal statements. They had several kids to educate and considered going " away" to college a privilege only for the rich. The middle class stayed within their means, there were few taking out large student/ parent loans.</p>