<p>I don’t know about that. Won nationals x2 at FBLA is fairly impressive. Repeat winners are very, very rare, if only because with them running at the end of the school year, to have won twice means winning as a HS sophomore and junior. Very rare to see HS sophomores accomplished enough to win. I also find published independent research to be very rare. The key word there being independent. That shows self-direction, drive, and a willingness to take control of her own education. All highly impressive qualities sought by the top schools. I too was not surprised by this. Although the most common route to acceptance is for a student to have accomplished great things within and with the support of their school, those students who have accomplished great things without needing the support of their school are even more impressive.</p>
<p>I also question the somewhat patronizing “Essays: average”. My experience is that students are often poor at evaluating how good or bad their essays and interviews actually come across.</p>