What exactly do you mean by "objective parameters"?

My school is really big, and the counselors don't really have that much time for each person and kind of run like a large corporation. Thanks for the suggestion though...

I am really really confused about my capabilities. I am really flattered by everyone other than my parents. Sometimes I feel like they are running my life because they think that I can't do it. Either this is their twisted way of preparing me if I fail one day or something, I have no idea. I honestly don't know who to believe (obviously I should believe what *I* think, but I don't know what that is).

- AJ