You really need to only focus on yourself and don't look at anyone else, you know why? Because no matter how good you think you are, there is someone out there better...no matter how smart you are, there is someone out there smarter...no matter how rich you are, there is someone out there richer...it is a futile game to try to be the best...just try to be as good as your dream demands...but i gotta say, damn that 19 yr old is smart...I once shadowed a perio that said he entered NYU dental at age 19, and it was too easy for him, so he wanted to specialize, and did so, yet still didn't find a challenge during residency...unless you're Albert Einstein, don't try to be on top...