<p>My post was more of a generalization and less about this specific instance, so you bringing in the fact that the OP of this thread is a URM has absolutely no relevance, first of all. Second of all, holistic admissions actually does imply that – it’s only half about academics, the other half about who you are and what you do. Therefore, a low-performing student with a vibrant personality and eccentric qualities and activities is theoretically just as attractive of a candidate as a student with a 1600 SAT, 36 ACT, 4.0uw GPA who has no ECs, does nothing but make good grades, and is a typical book nerd. </p>
<p>I’m not even going to address your mention of Harvard as there’s absolutely no parallel whatsoever.</p>
<p>Lastly, for the record, I never said that the lower end of the average students (i.e. the “duds”) were imbeciles or idiots, so you clearly misinterpreted that.</p>