Is this enough?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Harvard University
1

<p>Good grades and test score; some average EC activies; great recommendations and a brilliant essay enough to get you into Harvard? (Keep in mind no major national or international award, no hooks, legacy, etc)</p>

2

<p>It's a competitive world now with more than 27,000 applicants for fewer than 2,000 offers of admission.</p>

3

<p>honestly though, how often do schools like Harvard and Princeton accept average smart kids with nothing distinguishing.</p>

4

<p>
[quote]
how often do schools like Harvard and Princeton accept average smart kids with nothing distinguishing

[/quote]
</p>

<p>To the best of my knowledge, they don't. All the young people I know admitted to either college (recently) are pretty amazing.</p>

5

<p>tokenadult, so if you have excellent test scores (SAT, ,SAT II, AP, etc) and very modest EC compared to that of other persons on this site, and have the "very best" recommendation and essays; it still probably would be enough? </p>

<p>And one more thing, what would you consider as something very distinguishing that is not a hook or legacy or stuff of that sort that can be achievable? </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

6

<p>See </p>

<p><a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/377882-how-do-top-scorers-tests-fail-gain-admission-top-schools.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/parents-forum/377882-how-do-top-scorers-tests-fail-gain-admission-top-schools.html&lt;/a> </p>

<p>for extensive discussion of the case you bring up.</p>

7

<p>Yes, it is possible if one is well-rounded and has leadership and participation in a variety of interesting ECs. Harvard accepts several applicants like this every year. Contrary to popular belief, you don't have to be a national award winner. (Though it might help!)</p>