<p>Well, it depends on which colleges you’re looking at and how far away from “what they’re looking for” you are. You could be reaching ridiculously high for Harvard but could be statistically matched with Whitman.
However, all colleges would have you believe, that they look beyond scores, especially the saintly Ivy League, and if you’re lucky you might even make it if they actually practice it.
My experience with the top Liberal Arts Colleges has been particularly great though. Reed, as someone mentioned earlier gains its notoreity from among other things, accepting “long shots”. Reed really does look at you holistically, in my experience. However, like as has been mentioned you have to be distinguished in some area(s) and demonstrate interest in the college and its philosophy.</p>