Guess you never have been involved in the process. As for my son's academics they are higher than a 4.0 and include many honors classes. Academically he is on track to attend an Ivy or even a NESCAC. What is so difficult about that. We have many friends who's children have attended elite schools and we have modeled the path my son is on after their children's. It helps he is an excellent lacrosse player so the process has been accelerated.