How's this for a metaphor?

[U-Dub/BYU fan♂]

I saw on my brother's Facebook that he's getting a plastic shopping sack out of a tree by using a stick tied or taped to a broom. Since he's planning for doctorate school for his Ph.D. and got a few rejections, here's the metaphor:

He's trying to get his Ph.D., but it's out of reach and he's pursuing it.

Good, yes or no?

[Steve]

Metaphail

[Ami]

Is he going to write that on applications or something? I don't understand the context. And, no, it's not a good metaphor, ESPECIALLY if he's going to write that on applications. A PhD isn't a plastic shopping bag.

[Amy]

I would choose another metaphor because the stick tied/taped to the broom--a flimsy,haphazard way to reach his goal--indicates that your brother lacks the appropriate skills (or knowledge) to reach the sack. He might try a metaphor that suggests he has the appropriate skills to reach the goal, but that something beyond his control prevents him from doing so.

Good luck to your brother. Let's hope his next application is accepted.