<p>I only talk about the difference between HPME and RPI because of the people I met at these interviews. I would disagree that RPI is the hardest to get into; RPI and Union are practically the same level of difficulty, after all, its the same committee and same criteria. The only difference is that Union looks for more of a leadership role, while RPI looks for more research fields. Another argument is that RPI is superior than Union because there is a notion that RPI's undergraduate is harder than Union's. However, in my personal opinion, I would refute both by claiming that if you are a typical program applicant you will undoubtedly have both leadership ecs, as well as, research/hospital ec, and that, you will, probably in normal circumstances, have no problem getting into either Undergraduate. </p>
<p>In regard to what I said above, I base these opinion on the selectivity of the schools (HPME, PLME and R/B, over RPI/Union's) and on my personal experience. When I went for my interview at Union, I felt that many more kids lacked the extreme hardcore stats I saw at places like HPME. Albeit, the kids in both programs are extremely smart and worked hard to get into, but I personally feel they are two different ball parks (No offense to anyone on either side). The argument that can be made is that people with 2000s and 2100s are still capable of making great programs. True: I met some amazing people with some charismatic personas at interviews, at Harvard, at many prestigious areas. Like many people have said before, stats aren't everything. I think Interviews are the most important, just have enough to get one. The other factor is the selectivity of these programs. Union, when we went, said that 66% of all interviewees will get accepted. HPME, ~50%. Still, it is noted that HPME initial round of sending in cards, applying RD, and getting an interview is a lot more rigorous than any AMC programs.</p>
<p>MB: I think your stats are strong as they are. SAT iis are particularly important to programs moresothan other undergraduates. However, 2000s might be the borderline between getting an interview or not. If you have the time, I would say try taking it again. But, remember senior year is no joke and that you can actually do worse. I took 4 SAT iis (almost all of mine) in senior year, having the study for them while doing applications, and its very demanding, but still, very possible. Depending on how strong you feel about your application as a whole, for like I said numbers are simply numbers, decide. :]</p>