<p>JHS – seriously, you think that parental pressure does not play a part in whether a student chooses Harvard over UChicago? or even applies to UChicago? I am not saying that it is the sole reason – just a factor. Some kids want UChicago, but mom and dad say no.</p>
<p>I have been on CC since 2004, and I know that each year there are multiple kids facing that exact pressure. </p>
<p>Parents who are full freight, asian, legacy and/or east coast residents definitely put pressure on their kids to attend an ivy over UChicago.</p>
<p>Or perhaps you are thinking that parental pressure doesn’t effect which school a student chooses – in which case, you are dead wrong. Parents pay the bill – just look at the hundreds of posts by kids who want to go somewhere that parents won’t pay for.</p>
<p>I am not saying it is right, but it happens. the HYP name carries more cachet than UChicago to the country club crowd.</p>