<p>I read somewhere that there are 37,000 high schools in the United States. I can't remember the source for that statistic, but it seems like a reasonable figure. Each of these high schools has at least one valedictorian; some have several (I seem to recall a thread a while back mentioning 40 valedictorians, but I'm sure that's not the norm). I believe there are approximately 2000 spots in Harvard's entering class. Assuming that there are 45,000 valedictorians, and that all of them apply to Harvard, the acceptance rate for valedictorians is only 4.4%. Knowing that not nearly all of Harvard's students are in fact valedictorians, the percentage creeps even lower.</p>
<p>While I'm aware that these numbers are rather horrendously skewed--I based my calculations on estimates and assumptions, not to mention the highly frivolous notion that every single valedictorian in the United States would in fact apply to Harvard--but it does demonstrate the point quite nicely. Being the top student at your high school is no guarantee for anything; there are simply too many accomplished students for that.</p>
<p>edit: As tetrahedr0n pointed out, being valedictorian alone is no accurate basis for comparison; the point I'm trying to make is that students who have been told their whole lives that they're destined to succeed may have a hard time readjusting to the facts and figures.</p>
<p>tetrahedron,
I agree with this:
"But let's keep in mind that the average high-school valedictorian in the US with an 1400 or so on the old SAT thinks that he or she is Harvard/Ivy/Competitive school material. "</p>
<p>I think that this mindset is encouraged by Harvard's literature and marketing efforts. </p>
<p>About the Val's with perfect SAT's - if I remember correctly, this information was available for Harvard, and it was something like 50%. Great odds - for Harvard - but not a sure thing. </p>
<p>Its important to remember that Harvard is not going to be impressed with someone's scores, in and of themselves. If an applicant comes also with stellar academics, and board scores, and talents that the colleges wants that year, and a personality (determined by the essay and interview), then he or she should certainly apply - if and only if the school is a good fit. </p>
<p>If there is a weakness in the application - especially regarding grades or class rank - chances at the insanely selective are going to be lessened. Brown is clearly more interested in the top five kids at a school. At that point, the applicant needs to decide if the time and effort is worth it it for an extreme long shot. Senior year goes by pretty quickly, and there is only so much time to complete applications.</p>
<p>All right wazoo, this one's not nearly as angry, but we still need to talk about it during our phone conversation tomorrow.</p>
<p>If you want to apply... the chances of rejection are high- however you would never know unless you tried.</p>
<p>This board is for, frankly, the nervous. Most, but not all posters are
people that are either val. and reaching for HYP, or they are people with lower gpa's and reaching for low ivies, reaches.</p>
<p>i had a low gpa the first half of high school, so I was worried and came here for info/advice/chances</p>
<p>The thing I dont understand is, why do the "elite" applicants even post thier stats here? I mean, in my case I got valuable information (alexandre, others) about how to raise my scores, which scores i should work on, and i pretty much composed my college list on this site. As far as the "elite applicants" go, why post 4.0, 2400, 800,800,800, great EC's? What do you want us to say? what is thier for you guys to improve? </p>
<p>Im not mad nor am i complaining. Im a pretty avid forums poster
for ipodlounge and a lacrosse forums. You dont have to read threads you dont want to.</p>
<p>"The thing I dont understand is, why do the "elite" applicants even post thier stats here?"</p>
<p>Convergence, I think that all of us want certainty, and there really isn't very much unless you are an elite applicant from an elite HS and your college counselor tells you to apply. Even in that case, I do wonder about the assumption of the past predicting the future. Until 2010, I believe, the population pressure of college-age students is going to get a little worse. If our hypothetic elite applicant messes up senior year, or has a brush up with the law, or writes an arrogant essay - he or she will not be certain of acceptance at the highly desirable university that seemed like a sure thing. Stuff happens. A college looking to raise their SAT scores and monetary coffers may accept such a student warts and all; safeties (or likely admits) are for everybody.</p>
<p>
[quote]
The thing I dont understand is, why do the "elite" applicants even post thier stats here?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>The thing is, there are in fact very, very few "elite" applicants in the sense that you mention. For almost everybody, including the very very strong candidates, there can exists a weakness, a hole in the application. Experienced posters can point out some of these things, making it worth it for anyone to ask for chances.</p>
<p><em>sigh</em>, i think we're all gonna try for it anyways...but i seriously need advice on EA/RD...my canadian counselors know nothing...he was like: "thinking of HYPS financial aid? forget it! u must be super rich to get in!" XD</p>
<p>...and i am not an "elite" --considering i am at the lower end of the "typical azn" haha</p>