<p>You guys are just talking nonsense.</p>
<p>“No college wants to just fill up with 800’s” (meaning of the quote is intact).</p>
<p>Oh so thats why colleges post the mid 50 percentile ranges on all of their websites? Thats why college rankings place an emphasis on test scores of freshmen? Gee, lets all just stop taking the SAT because 800’s mean nothing.</p>
<p>I sense a case of sour grapes. Poor low 700’s scorer… I pity thou.</p>
<p>We’re talking nonsense? Dude, there are some serious logical fallacies in your post.</p>
<p>Just because colleges place a great deal of emphasis on test scores (nobody is arguing against that point) doesn’t mean a person who scores 800’s on everything is going to be the best candidate. In essence, a 750 and an 800 are similar, a 2300 and a 2400 are similar because the difference is so negligible that the decision to accept/reject should be made on other grounds. Nobody said that 800’s mean nothing, but 800’s and a 4.0 with limited extracurricular activity will NOT give you a great shot at HYPSM because there are people with 780’s and 3.95’s who have some serious extracurricular involvement/talent/ability, etc. that contributes far more to the campus atmosphere than an extra 20 points or .05 GPA.</p>
<p>Sour grapes? That’s funny. Go do some research, please.</p>
<p>EDIT: And the reason that perfect scorers seem to do better in admissions than lower scorers is because perfect scorers tend to be strong in other parts of the application as well. Has less to do with the perfect score than the fact that perfect scorers are generally strong applicants overall.</p>
<p>I’m fascinated by all the back and forth that my post has generated. </p>
<p>When you visit these schools and go to the info sessions, all the admissions officers say the exact same thing. The admissions officer’s mantra is - “We take a ‘holistic’ approach in judging each applicant.” We heard it so often it became a joke in our family. (In judging this dinner, I’m taking a holistic approach.) </p>
<p>But what that means exactly remains a mystery. I think that may be why there is such a disparity in the comments.</p>
<p>Sure, if the top schools could fill up their schools with valedictorians who had 2400 SAT and were concert violinists, IMO, and published authors, then they could have a school filled with perfect applicants – and I could go right to the UMICH application. But, I don’t think there are too many of those – well at least I hope not.</p>
<p>Some applicants have better academics and some have better ECs. To take YeloPens example, what happens if the teacher rec of the 4.0 valedictorian, 2400 student, says I’ve been teaching for 30 years and this is the brightest student I ever had (And, just to be clear, I’m not saying that is the rec I expect to receive) ;). Isn’t it possible that one of the top colleges would say, yes the 3.9 is a smart kid and has the better ECs, but that 4.0, 2400 SAT kid could really be special?</p>
<p>And one more thing - YeloPen, congrats on Yale!</p>
<p>Yeah, all colleges use the phrase “holistic approach.” Most people interpret this to mean that if someone is lacking in a certain area, they can make up for it in others. The important thing to realize, however, is that we’re talking about HYPSM here. Generally, admits are pretty strong in EVERY area, which puts someone lacking in one area at a disadvantage. Now that’s not to say everyone who gets into HYPSM is perfect and that you have no chance. Like I said earlier, if you can get great recommendations and write great essays and the admissions officer is having a good day, good things can happen.</p>
<p>I never meant to devalue what you have accomplished; perfect scores on everything is very impressive and something that I couldn’t achieve myself. I just wanted to be a little more realistic and point out that academic perfection won’t always get the job done. And thanks :)</p>
<p>CubsFan I think you have a very good shot at the majority of ivies and a decent shot at HYPS! Haha our stats are kind of the opposite of each other, if only we could combine them.</p>
<p>You are obviously a stellar mind, with a very concious mind process. I see no reason for you not getting into the big name schools and, for that matter, being quite successful at them. Try to find certain leadership spots and you will be a sure fit. chance me por favor:</p>
<p><a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/959403-penn-early-decision-chances.html?highlight=penn+early[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/959403-penn-early-decision-chances.html?highlight=penn+early</a></p>