<p>I hear your pain. Most of the top students when rejected from their dream school do feel that way. But the truth is that even very top 4.0/2400 is not guaranteed a space in these schools. A very wise college admission consultant once recounted a story where a top student with 4.0/2400 and 12 APs with 6 800 on SAT subject test, president of the class, winner of their regional debate contest, winner of regional science fair (the list went on and on), didn’t get accepted to the 6 and the only 6 ivys that he applied to. </p>
<p>Yes, Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, MIT, Columbia all rejected him. That kid and his family went insane when they kept getting those small letters. Anyway, they finally solicited the help of my friend who is a great college admission consultant. Instead of going to some JC, my friend advised him to take a gap year doing volunteering work. And in that year, he devoted his time and energy helping others. With that consultant’s help (on his overall college strategy, his apps, his recommendations, his statements and essays), he finally got accepted to 5 top ivys (with scholarships) and many other top schools the following year. </p>
<p>Moral of story: grades and scores may not be everything. Don’t assume that being that super student guarantees your acceptance to the top schools. If you don’t have high grades, well, your chance is probably even lower.</p>