<p>Isn't it odd how many 2400/36 applicants are consistently rejected by upper tier universities, in particular the Ivy League?</p>
<p>In fact, there's strong statistical evidence that develops a correlation between perfect-score-applicants and their concomitant ADMITTED/REJECTED results. In essence, the data is observed to show an unnaturally high number of perfect-score-applicants being rejected.</p>
<p>Of course, this could all be coincidence, or more specifically, coincidence that SAT 2400 applicants have abnormally weak ECs or recommendations/essays, thus inhibiting them from being accepted. But I beg to differ.</p>
<p>I would venture to propose that a psychological phenomenon is being observed, rather than a statistical one. I think that the mere "sight" of a perfect 2400 automatically triggers a psychological response in the admissions officer: an inimical response that classifies the applicant as the "one of those overachievers" or "cares only for grades, not passion" category. It could be entirely a subconscious process, one that transpires in a second or two, but I think these perfect scores have an lasting effect on the applicant, one profound enough to linger within the mind of the officer throughout his/her entire 13 minutes reviewing the application.</p>
<p>I go further, claiming that a SAT I 2400 or a neverending string of AP 5s actually have an ADVERSE effect on the applicant, rather than the desired boon. </p>
<p>Of course, this could all be a coincidence. But the real question is: what consequence does this have on the game that is the admissions process?</p>
<p>When I see a kid with a 2400, I think “Damn, that kid really wants to attend his or her dream college.” not “He’s an over-achiever who cares about nothing but grades.” </p>
<p>to the OP … would you mind providing you evidence that “In essence, the data is observed to show an unnaturally high number of perfect-score-applicants being rejected.”. The data I have seen shows that far from all 2400s get admitted … however a higher percentage of 2400s get admitted than 2300s … and that a higher percentage of 2300s get admitted than 2200s … etc. This data seems to contradict your hypothesis.</p>
<p>“In fact, there’s strong statistical evidence that develops a correlation between perfect-score-applicants and their concomitant ADMITTED/REJECTED results. In essence, the data is observed to show an unnaturally high number of perfect-score-applicants being rejected.”</p>
<p>Hunh? Stats show that 2400s and 36s get accepted at about ten times the normal rate of the rest of the applicant pool.</p>
<p>What you’re seeing is that these top schools have limited seats and naturally, through the holistic evaluation process, some will not get accepted at every single Ivy or top tier school applied. Is this a shock?</p>
<p>Here’s my take on it: rather than say “oh no, another 2400 score whore” – it’s “oh no, we don’t have enough slots for another top scholar – we’re going to have to lose him/her to another school”</p>
<p>Very very few SAT test takers score a 2400.</p>
<p>If an applicant with a 2400 got rejected because of his ECs, then the reason for his/her rejection is simply the ECs and not the fact that he/she scored a 2400.</p>
<p>I haven’t finished reading Catch-22, Maybe if i did, then i would be able to respond properly.
I will mention, though, at my top-25 school, about 10 people have 1600 and i think only 1 had 2400 (out of the incoming first year class). I wonder if we rejected any 1600/2400, or if they took their talents elsewhere.</p>