<p>I think it’s hilarious that he talks about whether test scores and grades impress HIM. Is Harvard really taking into account whether an applicant’s test scores and grades impress the alum interviewer? This article is written as if he is determining who gets into Harvard. </p>
<p>He’s an alum interviewer, for Pete’s sake. Not cool to display such an inflated sense of his own role.</p>
<p>This isn’t advice to remember in four years, it’s advice to keep in mind for the next four years.</p>
<p>Based on recent articles about IVY’s filling at least 1/2 their classes with kids from legacies, or big donors, or parents who did not attend college or are athletic, I think he meant to write:</p>
<p>get yourself some legacy or rich parents, or those who didn’t attend college, or take up a sport and get real good at it. </p>
<p>A little jaded I know but maybe a tad more realistic…</p>
<p>I agree. It’s a crapshoot.</p>
<p>I love how honest he was trying to be, but comparing the credentials of most prep school kids to the general pool of public school kids who are looking to Harvard, I guess there are some points that might be a bit biased.</p>
<p>I thought Doctoroff’s article was spot on, and I’m surprised that anyone would call it “jaded,” “pretentious,” or “naive.”</p>
<p>What could be bad about the advice he is giving? Find something that sparks your curiousity and stay away from social media. I understand as does the author that following his advice will not lead to Harvard admission nor will it lead to a lifetime of successes and wealth. More likely than not, it will lead you to happiness because you will have found something that brings you joy. Happy people tend to be successful people. His advice about staying away from social media and having the strength to avoid peer pressure is also spot on. I cant “like” tell you the “like” mind numbing conversation I “like” have had with my DD’s friends. These are students in an affluent community going to private day school from very good families! There is no excuse but there is an explanation-- an unnatural obsession with Vine, Facebook, Instagram and Snapchat and --yes–peer pressure. </p>
<p>Why is it naive to strive to elevate ourselves or our children? I actually believe the two worlds can co-exist. Adults can balance the two responsibly. Children and teens havent developed that skill and for them it is often one or the other. That’s why his message is as important for 8th graders as it is for parents. I have printed this out to hand to my daughter AND husband when I get home tonight.</p>
<p>I don’t think I’d want to go to a school full of the people this guy is selecting for. Pseudo-intellectuals who spend their time contemplating morality and their place in the world? No thanks. I would rather go to a school with practical people who are too busy to ponder such nonsense.</p>
<p>And yes, I agree wholeheartedly that this guy’s opinions are pretentious and stuffy.</p>