[bitwize]

Failure means the ride is coming to an end. Even a small failure could completely derail your dreams of being a great scientist, economist, or the next Zuckerberg. Unless your parents are rich, of course. And if they're not rich, you may be carrying the honor of your entire family back in the Old Country on your shoulders, which honor will be permanently tarnished by your failure.

So yeah, if you're in the Ivies and not from old money, you've got one shot and you'd better get it right.