re: State Schools vs. Ivy League

My cousin's kid is a HS junior and in the midst of the college selection process. He's near the top of his class academically at a large high school, plays football, etc. He was gung ho for Brown until he went on a visit and met a bunch of other kids they were also recruiting. He realized if he gets in, he won't be elite, that everyone else will be at least as qualified as he is, and most will be better qualified. Now he's a lot more realistic about his chances of being accepted, and his chances of succeeding if he does.