<p>OK so it's pretty obvious CC is known for being populated with over-achievers. Kids questioning their chances at schools thinking a 2300+ SAT score is the setback to their application. Even though we see many of these "geniuses", they still don't seem to be consistently making it into top schools. Sure we have hundreds of them make it to the top schools each year (note I'm using "top schools" somewhat loosely), but many of them are still rejected with 2300+ SAT scores, lots of EC's, and awesome GPAs.</p>
<p>All this leads me to one conclusion. Essays are the deciding factor in college admissions. I can't imagine top schools rejecting the myriad of the most intelligent high schools based purely on scores/ECs; because if that was the case, hardly any of them would get rejected. Although, we occasionally see a normal (by normal i point to ~1900+) with an average GPA (3.6-3.7+) get into some of our nations top colleges. I can't think of any other reason besides the fact that they have a genuine interest and write some pretty meaningful essays (and I am excluding URMs).</p>
<p>You forget to take note that many of those people lack prestigious awards/programs.
President of NHS/Student council is nothing compared to a national olympiad qualifier or even ISEF qualifier.</p>
<p>Of course, you’re right. My point is is that not every applicant is going to be an “olympiad qualifier” or an “ISEF qualifier.”</p>
<p>There have been completely average applicants that apply to HYPSM etc. that get in; no prestigious awards, no amazing GPA/test scores, no URM status, just a genuine interest.</p>
<p>Essays are important! ^^That’s true too though.
In addition to this, they must lack some unique factor or attribution that solely that individual can bring to the university. That could be the deciding factor.</p>
<p>For the small excellent liberal arts school I completely agree, however at larger school that get tons of apps the essay (I assume) gets more skimmed or scanned than read…</p>
<p>i remember someone told me that this one guy got into harvard. well, big deal right i mean still thousands of kids go to harvard every year. (actually now that i think about it it was either harvard or claremont mckenna, which still accepts like, what, 14% of applicants now?)</p>
<p>he was from a public school, he had ok grades, nothing too stellar, not a lot of APs, no leadership roles, no awards, no recognition EXCEPT.</p>
<p>he loved stargazing. he’d stargaze every day, go up to the rooftop of his house in freezing cold weather just to watch the stars before he slept and such. he wrote his essay on stargazing and his love for it. and he got in.</p>
<p>CC is definitely tweaked. Most people from my school who have gotten into Ivy Leagues have had below-4.0 GPAs, good SAT scores (2000-2200, average compared to CC) and no major awards. They’re cool, fun, have something they really like such as art or Model UN, and that’s it.</p>