To me the bigger issue is - why would one give up their passion?
If you have to give up your passion to increase chances at going to an elite college, than find another college.
If someone loves music and this could be an enjoyment or passion for them their entire life, why would they give it up?
That person has the wrong priorities if they were to do that.
Let’s hope no one out there is truly pushing this theory.
Anyway, I’m not world class in anything. Dropping something where I’m eminently solid and passionate to take up something else - hmmmm - i’m still not going to be a world beater.
Few are or could be - I mean, track athletes started doing bobsled and made the olympic team.
But for most of us, we’re not top level at anything - so flipping from something you are passionate about to something else (and that you’re likely not passionate about) - I can’t even put my arms around it.
That’s why I think it must have been misheard or mis understood.