<p>vivaldi,</p>
<p>My son could have written a nearly identical post. We live in a very small town in Kansas where almost all youngish first grade teachers are already teaching second-generationers and where nearly all of his friends’ parents went to h.s. together. The only difference…he was not born here, nor were either of his parents, so we’ve had to contend with the inbred community stuff. Also a problem has been the attitude of the h.s. administration regarding those who “dare to dream” beyond the Kansas state lines for higher education. He has had to field his share of not-so-veiled criticism of his choices by the very people who are supposed to be supporting his application! There are not nearly as many opportunities here as there are elsewhere, and we, too, have been confined by financial considerations. I am hoping that for both his sake and yours Yale will recognize great potential that can bloom if one is given the means. Best of luck! ~berurah</p>