Great advice. I know a couple of mothers and fathers like that. They are the worst because they make their kids miserable. The best Asian students and most rounded that get into the top universities from our high performance HS have parents who are supportive. I have learned from a couple who sent their son to Harvard four years ago (he was one of the graduating speakers last year) what their secret was. Their answer was quite simple. Give them room to grow and love them and pray.
The admissions officers at the top schools are really good at picking out the well rounded kids. They can see it in the essay writing from the kids who are independent and have found their voices.
Helicopter parents your hurting your kids into getting college of your choice or letting them grow. Let them have a voice and you will see them grow like weeds. Trust them and let them make independent decisions, they are much smarter then you take them for. Have you tried one of their calculus problems? If you can’t you need to step back and admire them for who they are.
BTW…took the advice of the couple to heart. D will be either attending Stanford or Columbia this fall.