Cringe

While I was working the espresso machine this past weekend, a fellow volunteer at the bookstore approached me to ask me about studying at the UofC. Turns out she was a high school senior and was busy applying to colleges. We talked about chicago for a bit and I did my part as an alum, extolling the virtues of the Core and the rigorous economics program. Then I asked her where else she was applying to. She named the usual suspects, Yale, MIT, and some midwestern schools, like the UofC and Northwestern. And then Harvard, but not before she made a face of mock disgust.
Why is mentioning Harvard in your list of to-apply-to schools so cringeworthy? Because she's not the only one who's made that face in the last couple of months. I watched a documentary about asian american teenagers going through the college application process, and each of the half dozen interviewees made the exact same face.
Harvard, to many Asians, is an aspiration. To the parents of these teens, it is a mark of their success as parents, and an assurance that their children are going to go far in the game of life. These high school kids aren't probably 100% resistant to the idea of attending Harvard as well. I don't think, but they make the face anyway, maybe to preempt any disappointment about not getting in. Harvard has, after all, one of the lowest success rates in the country. And so they cringe to feign nonchalance, as they apply, half in deference to their parents' wishes, but another half, i expect, in eager anticipation of the good news that comes with the arrival of thick envelopes come next February.