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<p>Another bit of false reasoning. The fact that there’s neither a set formula nor a magic spell doesn’t mean that the admissions process is arbitrary.</p>
<p>So, can standardized test scores kill an application? Realistically, the answer is usually yes. Not because Harvard or anyone else has some kind of cut-off score, but because with myriads (literally) of highly qualified applicants to choose from, Harvard and its peers really can (and usually do) find an applicant who’s just as good, but has SATs at or above 700 in every category.</p>