<p>I understand the general direction of your argument.</p>
<p>I do want to correct an incorrect impression some people may have, though, that Harvard does not collect brilliant people. In fact, at the level of clear academic superstars, Harvard is pretty dominant, "mumblers with big ears" (as someone previously posted) or not.</p>
<p>For example, if you look at the Putnam, the most prestigious mathematics contest at the college level, Harvard ranks in the top 5 more often than either Caltech or Chicago (with Princeton making a very good showing as well); only MIT competes with Harvard at that level of consistent winnings.</p>
<p>Yes, when it comes to your run-of-the-mill 1500 SAT (2300 now?) A-average top 5% applicant, which are frankly a dime a dozen, Harvard will look for other qualities ("well-roundedness" is probably not one of them), and often the decisions will appear -- even be -- unjustified, that being the nature of the hunt. But at the level of the truly brilliant, the evidence is that Harvard pursues the applicants, and Harvard usually gets them.</p>