One things all these stories really emphasize is how much of a hurdle it is for a first-generation college student to get into a top school. It isn't just other

One things all these stories really emphasize is how much of a hurdle it is for a first-generation college student to get into a top school. It isn't just other bright high schoolers you're in competition with, it is a whole system which is coaching, supporting and, sometimes apparently, doing very professionalized admissions management on their behalf. It would take an extremely exceptional high schooler to navigate that all alone. Or perhaps, if admissions offices are looking for exactly that story, all the consultants are just trying to produce exactly what they'd write naturally? :-)