[user1239321421]

You're not on the ball since age 14 - your parents are ages 14 - 17 or 18 and you try and take over after that.

This is the problem with Harvard et al.: you get in b/c your parents have the financial resources to keep you on the ball until its time to sit your Harvard admission exam (or w/e the procedure to get). Financial resources will come in the form of being able to spend quality time with you (and teach you about keeping the ball close) instead of seating you in front of the telly or private tutoring etc.

European unis on the other hand (bar top notch British unis which are another kind of messed up) operate on the principle of offering young adults a bright future if they man / woman up and bash their heads through some severely tough undergrad years.

Social mobility and stuff ...