<p>Your parents couldn’t be more wrong. The most selective schools in the country don’t work like that, and here’s the proof, using the top 5 universities, according to USNews (2014).</p>
<p>PRINCETON:</p>
<p>“We look for students who make a difference in their schools and communities, so tell us about your leadership activities, interests, special skills and other extracurricular involvements. Tell us if you’ve had a job or a responsibility in your home. Most Princeton students were academic standouts in high school. Most of them also invested their energy and talents in significant ways outside the classroom. We want to know what you care about, what commitments you have made and what you’ve done to act on those commitments.”
(<a href=“https://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/requirements/”>https://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/requirements/</a>)</p>
<p>“All applicants must also take two SAT Subject Tests.
Applicants who intend to pursue a B.S.E. degree should take one SAT Subject Test in either physics or chemistry and one SAT Subject Test in mathematics (Level I or II).” (Notice only B.S.E) (<a href=“https://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/standardized_testing/”>https://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/standardized_testing/</a>)</p>
<p>Acceptance Rate for students with 2100-2290 was 7.7%
Acceptance Rate for students with 1900-2090 was 5.2%
I’d hardly call that throwing out applications
(<a href=“https://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/admission_statistics/”>https://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/admission_statistics/</a>)</p>
<p>HARVARD:</p>
<p>Direct quote from an admissions officer - “Test scores matter less than you think they do and more than you wish they do.” Aimed at parents exactly like yours. </p>
<p>“All applicants must take the SAT or the ACT with the writing component, as well as two Subject Tests.” (note: does not specify which subject tests)</p>
<p>“There are no score cutoffs, and we do not admit “by the numbers.” We take into account your educational background when reviewing your scores. You are free to use the College Board’s Score Choice option and/or the similar option offered by ACT when applying to Harvard.”
(<a href=“https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-requirements/application-tips#testing”>https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/application-requirements/application-tips#testing</a>)</p>
<p>YALE:</p>
<p>“There are no score cutoffs for standardized tests, and successful candidates present a wide range of test results.”</p>
<p>“While there is no hard and fast rule, it is safe to say that performance in school is more important than testing. A very strong performance in a demanding college preparatory program may compensate for modest standardized test scores, but it is unlikely that high standardized test scores will persuade the admissions committee to disregard an undistinguished secondary-school record.” </p>
<p>“Again, we are looking for students who will make the most of Yale and the most of their talents. Knowing how you’ve engaged in the resources and opportunities at your high school gives us an expectation of how you might engage the resources at Yale if admitted.”
(<a href=“What Yale Looks For | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions”>What Yale Looks For | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>“All applicants for freshman admission should submit either the SAT and two SAT Subject tests, or the ACT with Writing.” (Does not specify which ones)</p>
<p>“Standardized tests are just one component of a student’s application to Yale and are viewed within the context of the student’s entire file. There is no minimum score required for admission, nor is there a score that will guarantee admission.” (<a href=“Application Instructions & Components | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions”>Application Instructions & Components | Yale College Undergraduate Admissions)</p>
<p>COLUMBIA:</p>
<p>“We look at a variety of factors to help us inform our decision on a candidate including:
-The student’s curriculum and grades - we hope to see that a student is challenging herself or himself with a rigorous course load
-The context of a particular candidate, including family circumstances, secondary school, community, interests and access to resources
-The quality of a student’s involvement in activities beyond the classroom
-The character and personality of a candidate, and the impact she or he will make on our diverse, residential campus
-The candidate’s fit for the distinctive Columbia experience, which includes the Core Curriculum; a both traditionally collegiate and unmistakably urban campus life; and an Ivy League school where curious thinkers come to grow
-Recommendations - which provide evidence of intellectual curiosity and promise, classroom and school and community participation, and overall potential for the candidate to make an impact at Columbia, in the classroom and beyond.” (Note that it doesn’t mention test scores)</p>
<p>“The admissions process at Columbia is a “holistic” one, taking many factors into careful consideration. We do not rely on standardized testing and grades alone and instead look at all parts of every application to help inform our judgment. We read personal statements to try to understand each candidate and what motivates him or her. We read teacher recommendations carefully to understand a candidate’s contributions in the classroom and what that candidate might offer his or her Columbia classmates.”</p>
<p>“Every part of the application matters. In the end our goal is to find the students who are the best fit for Columbia. Each year, there are many more qualified applicants than there are places in our class. With such an appealing pool of applicants, it is the job of the admissions committee to get to know all students and select those that we believe will take greatest advantage of the unique Columbia experience and will offer something meaningful in return to the community.”
(<a href=“Understanding the Process | Columbia Undergraduate Admissions”>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/holistic</a>)</p>
<p>“Required Standardized Testing:
SAT and two SAT Subject Test scores (for Engineering applicants, Math 1 or 2 and Biology, Physics or Chemistry) or the ACT Assessment with Writing”
(<a href=“http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/application-requirements”>http://undergrad.admissions.columbia.edu/apply/first-year/application-requirements</a>)</p>
<p>STANFORD:</p>
<p>“There is no minimum GPA or test score; nor is there any specific number of AP or honors courses you must have on your transcript that will secure your admission to Stanford.”</p>
<p>“We want to see your commitment, dedication and genuine interest in expanding your intellectual horizons; both in what you write about yourself and in what others write on your behalf. We want to see the kind of curiosity and enthusiasm that will allow you to spark a lively discussion in a freshman seminar and continue the conversation at a dinner table. We want to see the energy and depth of commitment you will bring to your endeavors, whether that means in a research lab, while being part of a community organization, during a performance or on an athletic field. We want to see the initiative with which you seek out opportunities that expand your perspective and that will allow you to participate in creating new knowledge.”
(<a href=“Holistic Admission : Stanford University”>Page Not Found : Stanford University)</p>
<p>“SAT Subject Tests are recommended but not required. Applicants who do not take SAT Subject Tests will not be at a disadvantage. Because SAT Subject Tests are optional, applicants may use Score Choice to selectively send their SAT Subject Test scores.”
(<a href=“Standardized Testing : Stanford University”>Page Not Found : Stanford University)</p>