"Ivy Entitlement" Finally Understood

Ok, forget labels. How about this:

If you are the kind of person that strongly prefers to hunker down and solve problems on your own, and you are very reluctant to reach out for help (out of a dread for social interaction, shyness, stubbornness, arrogance, or whatever) you are likely to have a tough time at MIT or Caltech.

Also, there’s this:

http://mitadmissions.org/apply/process/match

“When we admit a class of students to MIT, it’s as if we’re choosing a 1,100-person team to climb a very interesting, fairly rugged mountain—together.”

Please note the keywords: team & together

If you are uncomfortable being on a team or don’t enjoy being together with your classmates (i.e., you prefer to be alone), you are probably not a good match with the MIT mission.