<p>Hello, well i just want everyones opnion in this.
-Offcourse usualy top students apply to top schools some more " qualified" that others i meant that in like all A's varsity captain class president and the list goes on. Then there are the others who are bright also but there resume doesnt seem as impresive. </p>
<p>-But also hear caseses when the school picked someone that doesnt seem like a ideal candidate to the norm. That person would be shocked they applied but never really thought they coud acualty get in.</p>
<p>-Top schools want well rounded students i agree but somtimes there choices are unpredicatable, you you agree ? Is there anyone on here that acualty did get accpeted in those terms i just described ?</p>
<p>please post thanks</p>
<p>I didn't really understand what you said, but yeah, it's completely unpredictable, it depends on a whole lot of factors besides your EC, like your essay, etc.</p>
<p>i wouldn't say its unpredictable- its quite predictable if you learn enough about the process.
there's just too many factors that common sense would likely tell you would make no difference that actually make a huge difference.</p>
<p>The thing about hyper-selective colleges is that they can't, like some bigger but well-known state colleges, just admit everyone qualified. Certainly there's a threshold for entry--no 800/2400 SATS!--but there's no need to make a superhuman cutoff. With so many applicants to choose from, the goal of the admissions officers change. No longer is there an "ideal applicant," someone sure to be admitted because they've covered their SAT, GPA, and EC bases. </p>
<p>Now they're not looking for the bestest of the best, the statistically gifted, but those who bring something else to the table. They start looking for this intangible fourth dimension, wanting to build a <em>community</em> of people that works together. That's where hooks come into play--you offer something special to that community by being unique. They want to fill niches, and sometimes less statistically endowed students offer something to a department or the school overall. They also look for indicators of <em>future</em> success. This isn't always the 2400 valeodictorian. </p>
<p>Yeah, it's frustrating when admissions is both selective AND subjective. But I certainly don't disagree with the practice. If I'm admitted to a competitive school, I'd like to see variations in thought processes and life goals and strengths and weaknesses across the board.</p>