<p>Interesting post. My S graduated in 2008 and was encouraged by his GC at large public HS (who knew him well) to apply to the most elite private and top UC schools in CA and NOT to apply to state schools at all. He did that, and did well with his acceptance options. </p>
<p>D’s GC at small charter school never discouraged or encouraged either way which I think was good considering she barely knew D.</p>