Point noted Blossom and PG. but I think you inferred much more than I said. i was responding to Hannah’s comment about the valedictorian with the 35 ACT and not much to say. I certainly didn’t say it was a tragedy or would ruin their lives, just feel for the kids that are incredibly bright and do exceptionally well, but may be highly introverted, not given the opportunity to have super ECs or are not the kid that the teacher notices and raves about in a recommendation. They may well be just as, if not more, capable than the kid who was lucky enough to be born with a great personality and have parents who knows what ECs matter. I am not sure those kids are getting into Northwestern either. But of course they can have a good life even if they go to a college much farther down the ranking than Carnegie Mellon.