<p>For the elite colleges, I believe that a less than stellar GPA would have to be compensated with not just ultra-high SAT scores, but also an impressive list of ECs and awards. Please respond with your opinion on the following scenario - (non-URM)</p>
<p>GPA - 3.6
SAT I - 2300+
5+ APs all 5's
National Merit Scholarship finalist (let's say 240 on PSAT)
State Scholastic Chess Champion (from a big state)
State Novice Debate Champion
State Science Fair Competition - 1st Place
Siemen-Westinghouse Semi-Finalist
School Community Service Chair
Student Gov - Senator
Violin - Senior District, Honor Orchestra
Chess Club Captain and Instructor
Breakdance Club
Fluent in two foreign languages
Poetry contest winner
School publication editor
Passion in Biological Science - Advanced Classes/Research in College
Excellent recommendations</p>
<p>The question - what is this candidate's chance of getting into MIT? If low, what would the candidate have to do other than improving the GPA to significantly improve the chance?</p>
<p>I am living proof that you can have low GPA with high others and still get in, EA even.
('13 whoop whoop!) You can see my full stats on page 2 of the EA results thread, but basically GPA=not so hot (3.71). I was ranked around 20% although the school didn’t report that. However, I made up for the lacking GPA with SAT I (2280), and awards. I think the awards that got me in were ISEF 2nd place, Winner of AFCEA national science fair, siemens semifinalist, and rotary club student/volunteer of the year.
And I’m a white male, with no athletic recruitment and no legacy so those definitely didn’t get me in.
It seems that once your GPA and SAT’s are above a certain level, they are just looking for something that will set you apart, such as amazing awards, ECs, essays or interview.
Hope this helps!</p>
<p>and Ceebee63- with the “2000+” I believe he is talking about chess rating, not SATs.</p>