<p>Hi guys,</p>
<pre><code> Scenario :
2 people apply to Harvard .
They have the EXACT same grades/scores & ECs
One gets denied & the other accepted
Any ideas why one would get accepted and the other denied ?
While looking over applications what makes Harvard admission officers just say NO your not getting in >=O
Whats the deal breaker ?
Thanks for your help !
</code></pre>
<p>so many things can sway a selective school’s decision, it’s really hard to make a list. Hooks (URM, first gen, legacy), essays, intended major, and recs are the obvious ones.</p>
<p>Wow, that’s a vague question.</p>
<p>Two talented musicians audition for a position in a national symphony. They have similar levels of experience, and detailed knowledge of the repertoire. They have stellar recommendations. One gets the position and the other doesn’t.</p>
<p>Two extraordinary lawyers compete for a partner position. One gets the position and the other doesn’t.</p>
<p>And so on …</p>
<p>It’s life … why do you expect recipes?</p>
<p>If these two applicants are EXACTLY the same (except their personal information like name, SSN, address, etc) and that scenario occurs, it demonstrates that adcoms are human, not cold-hearted, mean machines trying to destroy your life by rejecting you.</p>
<p>In your response, I would have to say there are many factors, including that specific day. Perhaps one of the adcom felt super happy (or on the other side of the spectrum, super sad) and this could affect acceptance/rejection. People like to think that this does not happen, but in reality we are all human.</p>
<p>No matter how equivalent you try to make the theoretical candidates, each student will have a unique essay. One essay may touch an admissions director more, or make them laugh, cry, or think “This kid is a great fit for our school!” Ditto with teacher recs. There is a lot of subjectivity in college admissions – no matter how similar candidates may appear from just looking at the stats.</p>
<p>The thing is that there are no exactly identical applicants because students are humans. And admissions decisions go well beyond reading gpa/scores/list of ec’s.</p>
<p>It’s the one who likes twilight who gets rejected.</p>