<p>With strong legacy or other hook such as superstar athlete, it definitely is possible. You guys have to realize that at the top schools - HYPS etc., it is way more about hooks than anything else. Sure you need some decent grades and scores, but reality is, when dealing with that category of school, an ACT 30 and 3.5 gpa with a parent who is an “active” alum is way better than a 36 ACT / 2400 SAT 4.0 kid with no connection or hook whatsoever. That is the reality. It’s more about your “hook” at the very top schools than anything else. Any honest ad com person will openly tell you that. We just had a student at my H.S. with relatively low scores and a medium average get into Stanford with nothing special, except the fact that his parents and grandparents went there and are very active alums. Yet, the current top kid in the class who had a 2380 SAT and just about a 4.0 index was rejected at Stanford. If you have strong legacy or something else going for you, like an excellent athlete, you have a shot at HYPS, MIT etc with even average scores!!! Approx 35-50% of the kids at HYPS have some legacy. If you think they all got in because of great test scores and grades, you are wrong. It’s crazy that many of us here at cc chance ourselves back and forth based on test scores and grades and ec’s, when in reality the most important factor is probably legacy or some other strong hook, especially when applying to the top schools. Good luck to all.</p>