Eighth grade parents already wanting to meet with college counselors, and kids whose every step from age 13 on is geared to admissions sounds like a recipe for disaster.
The example of the girl who had a great recital but lackluster essay, and was initially rejected by U. of Chicago, is just silly. So her school advocated for her successfully, based on her musical talent. That should have been unnecessary. She could have sent a supplement to the common application with a video. The counselor could have told her that if he or she knew how to do the job.