<p>how much does your transcript impact your chances of getting into a top-tier (HYPSM) college? </p>
<p>If you look at Princeton admissions, the overall % admitted is around 7.4% for CO2018. However, if you look at those with a 4.00 UW GPA that are accepted, it goes up to almost 10%, and if you look at those with a 2300-2400 SAT that are accepted, the % admitted is double the overall %! </p>
<p>I know that many people say that for HYPSM, everybody has those kinds of grades and those kinds of standardized testing, but is there a point at which your transcript is "loaded" enough with high level classes that you will have a really good chance just because of that? </p>
<p>Basically, much like there are certain ECs (IMO/IPHO/ICHO) that will almost certainly put you into a great college, is there a similar level for transcripts? </p>
<p>Of course, that hypothetical transcript would be VERY competitive; however, admission would clearly depend on how competitive the specific undergraduate programs to which you’ll apply are as well as crucial information such as SAT/ACT results. Presuming you’re considering application to several of “first fifteen” National Research Universities and/or LACs, I truly don’t believe you can “overdo” either scholastic performance or curricular rigor – however, meaningful ECs and service should NEVER be eliminated. Here’s why I feel this way: please consider the distinguished qualifications of MANY who are denied by these elite institutions (remembering that a few universities in this category have aggregate admissions rates that approximate 5 percent and the VERY few unqualified individuals apply). Valedictorians and those with SUPERB standardized test results – sometimes both – are annually rejected by the thousands by these schools. Therefore, taking the most demanding schedule possible and excelling in all of your courses are your best guarantors of admission (and, even then, nothing is certain).</p>
<p>Getting A grades in many actual college courses that are more advanced than AP / college-frosh level would be a boost beyond the “typical” top-end academic record for a high school student.</p>
<p>However, nothing really guarantees admission; one can say that a high level of academic achievement is necessary, but not sufficient, for admission to super-selective schools.</p>
<p>Stats show how you will perform academically, but EC’s show what you will contribute to a school. They want students that are more than just a GPA. Stats are preferred, but those with both will do better in admissions.</p>
<p>Nothing else to say. Unless you anticipate being recruited for a D-1 varsity sport, your transcript is the most important component of your application.</p>
<p>Actually, being recruited at any level supersedes the transcript, although there are some minimum standards at the upper level schools.</p>
<p>What would blow away elite schools on a transcript would be the math prodigy who had taken most of the undergrad level math courses at a local college by senior year of HS or someone who’d taken high level science courses and gotten As. Outside of math and science, it’s tough to be admitted purely on academics alone at HYPSM.</p>
<p>Thanks guys! I guess I’m just a little “worried” (for lack of a better word) about the importance of the transcript, since it seems for top schools, it doesn’t really serve to get you in, but instead just gets you through the door to the admissions council. </p>
<p>OP, you’re right about that last statement. When a college receives 40k applications, as Harvard does, and probably half of those students meet its academic criteria, they will start looking for the extras. If your transcript doesn’t pass muster, though, your application won’t make it through that first cut. Any overriding factors must be truly exceptional. As I’ve said before, Malala Yousafzai can probably get into any college she applies to, and deservedly so, regardless of her GPA and test scores. Most students will not be able to list Nobel Peace Prizes on their applications, however.</p>