<p>Well, they are and they are not. I am talking about ways for the very-well-academically-qualified to stand out from the other very-well-academically-qualified. Clearly getting into the pool which MIT considers academically well qualified is the highest priority. That is a necessary, but not sufficient condition for admission. Once you are in that bucket however, the question then arises as to how to set yourself apart from the others. I was arguing that starting a band would likely have a greater benefit than studying to pass another not particularly meaningful test.</p>
<p>Now clearly if you can make yourself stand out because you have won a major olympiad medal or have a few major patents to your name, yes, that is a better way to stand out, but that is beyond the reach of most applicants, even the ones who get in. I have interviewed a lot of MIT candidates over the years, and to my recollection none of the ones who were academically gifted but only peripherally human have gotten in.</p>