@TheTreetop. I believe you don’t understand how the elite schools here in the States work…if you are from an industrialized country like Germany, France, South Korea, Japan, United Kingdom…they expect the highest standards in grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities/achievements (because you are expected to have the same opportunities as those living here in the US)…but, if you are applying from a very poor country like Sudan, Nigeria, or Ethiopia with limited educational resources…they are more willing to bend…and understand their test scores may be lower, outside activities/achievements may be limited…
…Elite American schools make decisions holistically…looking at the “big picture” not just black and white test scores and GPA…it is a different way of picking the “best” students than the way the Asian and European universities admit students…