>Potential college students are 18-ish years old, hardly old enough to have enough mental composure to make the "no" choice in a country that bombards them with

>Potential college students are 18-ish years old, hardly old enough to have enough mental composure to make the "no" choice in a country that bombards them with the message that going to an elite college is the ultimate goal. Are you saying 18 year olds aren't adults? I was a 17-turned-18 year old who chose a college that was inexpensive. Of course, I also didn't get _into_ an elite college, much like the 80-95% of folks that apply. I'd ask for more sympathy for the 80-95% of us before we infantilize the 1%.