<p>ummm, I really hope you guys are kidding! I don't really think there are "thousands" of ppl like him. He has REALLY good scores, USAMO qualifier as a junior, volunteering, research...he'll most likely get in. I mean, how is he not as good as anybody who goes to Harvard?</p>
<p>Does anybody here agree with me that winning first place in a county fair for finest cattle specimen that you grew yourself qualifies as a special accomplishment?</p>
<p>I honestly do not understand why someone with just about perfect scores and grades has the need to post a 'What are my chances thread?', apart from simply looking to show-off his achievements to others. Which is rather conceited i might add..</p>
<p>kelly '010-A girl in the class of '09 won a ton of like, Rodeo Junior Miss competitions. I bet Harvard loved that, and I think they'll like your cattle thing too.</p>
<p>vrumchev-Read other people's comments. Perfect SATs/GPA are not an automatic ticket to admission. The college app process is nervewracking for everyone.</p>
<p>That being said, Don, I think you have a great shot at Harvard. In addition, I'd make sure you apply to some non-Ivies that offer merit scholarships, because your numbers make you a near-ideal candidate (full tuition is almost a lock at a place like Case Western + a possibility at Duke).</p>
<p>
[quote]
tetrawhatever, you cant argue with statistics.....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>zackawhatever, care to post any of your statistics? </p>
<p>Frankly, qualifying for USAMO makes a big difference in the admissions process. If one were to look at the average acceptance rate at Harvard for USAMO qualifiers, my (educated) guess would be that it's well over twice the average. So right off the bat, this person is in comparatively great shape.</p>
<p>tetrahedr0n is absolutely right. USAMO qualification, while by no means an infallible indicator of ability, is very positive. It does reward preparation - I don't think that any but perhaps the 1 or 2 most brilliant kids in the country could make it without ever having prepared for some sort of math contest. That said, the USAMO is probably the best indicator of actual brilliance that colleges have. </p>
<p>A USAMO qualifier is going to be very, very bright - that's more than I can say for some 2400 scorers (not that I have a vendetta against them - I got a 2400, but honestly the SAT doesn't involve a level of thinking comparable to that of the USAMO).</p>
<p>So does Harvard automatically grant acceptance to USAMO qualifiers? Of course not - but it's a substantial boost. It's more significant at MIT and (especially) Caltech. Caltech, to the best of my knowledge, <em>very</em> rarely rejects students who have qualified.</p>
<p>we were arguing about that, we were arguing about the acceptance rate of perfect scores....and actually randomperson, your denunciation of perfect scorers is evidence enough that it's not that uncommon to score a 2400 as some think, therefore it shouldnt be too hard to believe some schools accept few of them....perhaps there's a small correlation between doing well on standardized tests and not being as interesting....but that last point is complete speculation, so dont anyone explode</p>
<p>I think that the acceptance rates for perfect scorers at super-selective institutions (like Harvard) run around 50%, and that this is pretty well documented (although I couldn't give you a source this instant).</p>
<p>Great scores. Unfortunately, however, your ecs are all over the place and you don't show one really strong passion for anything. Being indian might help a little.</p>
<p>
[quote]
You have basically a very average chance, maybe slightly better because of research and USAMO.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>sorry to be intrusive but how are you able to evaluate everyone's chances so acerbically and confidently? It says in your profile that you are 17, meaning you are still in HS right? So how are you so blessed with this privilege? Just curious...</p>
<p>
[quote]
vrumchev-Read other people's comments. Perfect SATs/GPA are not an automatic ticket to admission. The college app process is nervewracking for everyone.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Yeah I did read those remarks, and took them into perspective, however surely a student who has near perfect scores and grades, along with national achievements would be a good candidate... I don't see how people can argue with that fact.</p>