@TheGuy1
To properly deal with the issue of college admissions, one needs to grab hold of some basic truths in human behavior as they are measured by statistical (i.e., problematic) models. If we do not pay attention to this “maybe” aspect, GPA, SAT, ACT, et al, the analysis is reduced to OVER simplifications. Over simplifications are easily repeated and we are all experts on subjects we have not studied.
Putting a number on our human behavior, does not make it a science. It is here that an art form takes over to help us move down the road to discovery.
It seems to be human nature to look for the quick way out. This is particularly true when there is too much reading and reflection involved. Can’t we computerize it?
By way of example. A bridge engineer may construct her bridge “by the book” and proudly boast that it is indestructible because they followed the official guidelines as publish, Did they question the probability of the underlying assumptions (e.g., earthquake, wind speeds, rainfall, etc)?
Why pick 3.75 when many 3.5 QPA’s will do better? What happens if the 3.2 student has an interesting patent pending?
How about taking the time to look at the whole problem. It is called holistic admissions. It is not necessarily, an excuse to accept the weaker student because you need to fill your class. Clearly, MIT does not have the time because of a sea of applicants. Perhaps the rest of us can pick them up!
Like many other Universities and Colleges, many remarkable WPI successes were dropouts., but they did learn and used resources while they were there. One had already developed his foundation project while he was in HS. We actually had the flexibility and equipment that he needed. He stayed only two years. Today he has well over 400 patents.
Another student was dyslexic, stayed two years and was promoted to full fledged engineer by a major computer company a few years later. He had made a very significant breakthrough. He was promoted to a full design engineer with no degree on his resume. He went on to another field and because a self taught world expert. Just read a book of his on an early alchemist. Power by curiosity, this dyslexic taught himself a medieval version of Italian and dug up the history while spending time in Florence libraries.
One is very rich, the other is financially secure. Both are real winners! Their SAT’s and GPA’s may not have predicted these results. Conversations with them as they entered University told one a great deal. Their desire for discovery was genuinely fired up!
