"Most of the time you can't predict what will push one candidate over the edge," Hernandez told Kigsbury. "Right now, for instance," she continued, "schools are showing a large preference for non-college backgronds - that is, applicants whose parents didn't go to college."

It's a little disconcerting to learn that one's child could be denied entrance into the college of her choice simply because both of her parents are college graduates. But what's even more disturbing is the fact that one admissions counselor confessed that some students may have been denied enrollment because he felt "sluggish" after lunch on the day he reviewed their applications. Another said he rejected all applicants from Buffalo, once, because he had gotten food poisoning in a Buffalo restaurant the night before.

The lesson to be learned here is that there's no guarantee - even for the rich and famous and powerful - that a student will get into the college of his choice. Period. Although children of alumni and of wealthy and/or well known families have the odds stacked in their favor, they, too, can be rejected if the college or university has reason to believe the student could potentially attract negative publicity to the school.

Does that mean students should become cavalier about admissions? No, of course not. It simply means that they and their parents should be less intense because when all is said and done, the admissions counselor's state of mind is as likely to determine whether certain students are accepted as are their SAT scores, GPAs, and great admissions essays.

And remember, going to the best, most expensive college or university will in no way guarantee being hired for internships or entry level jobs with the country's top employers. It can't hurt, but it's not an absolute certainty. It's more important to attend a school that's a good fit in terms of size, curriculum, culture, etc.