<p>Sounds like my case. I actually had very good grades and test scores but some places just took total nose dives. Family divorce will do that and some nasty surgeries and rehab.</p>
<p>But 2000+ volunteer hours, travel to a dozen countries on my own living and a black belt in 3 styles with a prior national ranking and a coach that was a former Olympian.</p>
<p>…it’s just the 3.0 GPA and average test scores that don’t match.</p>
<p>Maybe I was bored as hell and didn’t feel challenged enough to give a crap.</p>
<p>lol.</p>
<p>Ghost, when Harvard gets 35000 apps, you think they need to hang on the off-chance some talent that doesn’t meet other standards and expectations might one day make a big contribution? or that others will think better of H (or any top school,) because he went there? </p>
<p>And, considering how many very talented kids apply, with academic and other achievements, why should an outlier stand out? If your business “takes a toll on your mental state” and you have few A’s, what will let them see you as a successful student? Your sideline? It’s holistic. That means everything matters- rigor, grades, LoRs, activities and how you self-present in the app. These schools are akin to a buyer’s market.</p>
<p>I would like to think that ultimately academics are the most important.</p>
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<p>I am not saying you are wrong. I know so many people who got into the Ivies or top universities with low grades/bad transcript by using specific tailor made strategies. My uncle who is a business strategic offers this service to the local students.</p>
<p>I think an extraordinary or rare talent can definitely provide a leg-up in admissions for top schools. Top universities want a diverse class of students with a wide range of talents and skillsets. If you are a student that fits a certain niche that the school needs to fill, then you might be able to scrape by with “mediocre” grades. </p>
<p>I got into UNC Chapel Hill (OOS), Vanderbilt, Carnegie Mellon, and Wake Forest with a 3.1 UW GPA and top 35% class rank (although I had very good test scores, essays, and ECs). I’m an Asian male, I’m not an athlete or legacy, and I’m from an overrepresented state. I don’t consider myself that booksmart, but I honestly think I got into those schools because I have a “rare” talent. I’m pretty sure those schools accepted me because I helped fill a “diversity” niche or something.</p>
<p>Bottom line is, academics matter a lot in admissions, but they won’t necessarily disqualify you if you have other redeeming qualities.</p>