<p>If college admissions truly totally random at times? Like, there could really be absolutely no reason behind Student A getting admitted over Student B besides the fact that, well, the school can't take that many people and <em>has</em> to randomly pick names out of a hat? (yes, exaggerating here I know.)</p>
<p>There are always people who are surprised that they get rejected someplace and accepted at others. Is there truly a reason behind them getting the decision that they got (URM, bad essays, etc) or is it sometimes absolutely, completely random? (especially if they have borderline stats and ECs). Sometimes you see people get into Harvard or MIT who are not impressive at all stats-wise with NO ECs; although they are qualified and would probably do well at said school, they've taken the spot of some 2x USAMO qualifier, US Physics team member, etc. (Just surmising that this guy isn't a URM/developmental admit/legacy.) Could this be because, well, the adcoms just had a good day when they looked at his app, or was there a reason that they admitted this person over another equally or more qualified applicant?</p>