<p>Northstarmom,</p>
<p>Unfortunately, it really doesn’t work that way. The skills required to succeed on the streets and in poor neighborhoods are not the same skills required to succeed at Harvard. While Khadijah and other low income students have overcome incredible obstacles to get to schools like Harvard, those obstacles usually don’t provide the preparation for success at Harvard. It is hardly smooth sailing, and low income students are still less likely to graduate than others (of course given that most Harvard students will eventually graduate). Such students have big gaps in their education and skills. Their peers, while coddled by parents with resources, have developed <em>precisely</em> the kind of skills and preparation valued at Harvard. In addition, Harvard really has a sink-or-swim mentality when it comes to students. I have been a part of the Harvard community for over 30 years and I am still stunned at how little Harvard does for students from non-traditional backgrounds. While tutoring is available, it is rather costly ($15/hr) and is usually not covered by financial aid. These students really do it through sheer force of will. I can’t tell you how impressed with student like Khadijah.</p>