I just applied to MIT, Caltech, Harvard, Princeton, Cornell, and UW. Pray that I get into at least one (MIT is first)! Where did you guys apply?
<p>It ain't about praying... but I pray that you have backup schools.</p>
<p>Of course I have backup schools...UW, and yes luck is a factor.</p>
<p>Luck is no factor when applying to those schools...if you don't have the numbers, no amount of luck will place you there. It takes skill.</p>
<p>Too bad my stats are probably better than yours. I'm just saying that awesome stats don't guarantee admission.</p>
<p>You're both rights. Stats tend to put you into or out of the selection pool. The lower the stats, the more that compensating factors need to be <em>outstanding</em>, I don't mean valedictorian/class president/1500 hours of community service.</p>
<p>However, once in the pool, luck can certainly play a factor. If they need a bassoonist, you might be in. If they have two and none of your other EC's spark an interest, you might be out.</p>
<p>Or if you're one 20 applicants of darn near the same profile, they might take only 6...and if a plate of chocolate chip cookies is going by, why did you take <em>this</em> one instead of <em>that</em> one? Something in your app could turn off or appeal to your primary reader and vice-versa if a different first reader read it. The admissions officer might have just had a fight with their SO about the dog sleeping on the bed and your essay is about your dog. </p>
<p>One of the bigger underlying myths about admissions is that the process is done with an almost religious fanaticism. Instead, it's done by dedicated people who mostly call it right but have their off moments. And for the very top schools, such as the first four on the OP's list, they could have two, maybe three complete classes with no overlap and no significant statistical difference.</p>
<p>Scm007...I hope you mentioned how humble you are on your app. =P</p>
<p>FYI..You haven't a clue as to what my scores are buddy.</p>
<p>I don't care what your stats are. If you want to compete as far as who has the better SAT scores, go for it. I couldn't care less. But the way you said it, " Luck is no factor when applying to those schools...if you don't have the numbers, no amount of luck will place you there. It takes skill." makes it seem like you think your numbers are so great, otherwise you wouldn't know would you? I mean if you have a 1000 SAT score who are you to say what happens there? And if you have a 1600 SAT score, you are damn ****y that you are going to get in saying stuff like that. Either way, your an idiot.</p>
<p>No, you are just defensive. I am no math whiz. I detest math and only take as much to serve my goals. You obviously take it far more serious that I do. The fact remains, if you don't have the numbers you don't have a chance. Get over yourself. You don't want to go to college with a big chip on your shoulder kid.</p>
<p>For MIT, you need good scores and grades to even be considered. But good "stats" don't give you an edge - they're merely a prerequisite. Basically, once you're past the threshold, better numbers will not get you in over someone else. It's everything else - the character, joy, passion that comes through your application - that gives you the affirmative nod in the committee.</p>
<p>Check this blog out and go to the post from 12/16...
<a href="http://web.mit.edu/benjones/www/blog/%5B/url%5D">http://web.mit.edu/benjones/www/blog/</a></p>
<p>:)</p>
<p>I'm not "on" myself. I don't feel I'm better than anybody else. I was just making the point that you seem that you feel that way. I only responded to that.</p>