<p>I think there is a lot that is not discussed here. First, the importance of recommendations, essays, and interviews is often understated, yet these are clearly the differentiating factor for many successful applicants. Second - colleges are seeking to assemble diverse freshman class, which means some students (for example females with a demonstrated interest in engineering, or Asians with demonstrated interest in the humanities, any top student from Wyoming) will have an admissions advantage relative to their peers.</p>
<p>I don’t believe colleges are looking the the “wow” factor in all of their students, but they are looking for interesting people. I think a lot of high school students don’t realize this, and follow a formula that they believe will guarantee success (top grades and scores, lots of ECs), In reality this only gets them into the game, while acceptance decisions are made on intangibles that are often overlooked. The Amherst admissions video (<a href=“College Admissions: Inside the Decision Room - YouTube”>www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-OLlJUXwKU</a> is quite enlightening - I’m sure it is heavily edited but it gives a feel for how important intangibles can be.</p>
<p>There’s another issue that I think is often obscured in the discussions here on CC. Colleges are not looking to reward high school seniors for all they have accomplished. Rather, they are looking at what the student has done in the past as predictors for what they will do in the future. They want students who will succeed academically, contribute to the college community outside the classroom, and contribute to society after graduation.</p>
<p>@d4ntoine - I have no idea why your friend was deferred by MIT, but I’m quite sure it wasn’t due to lack of ECs! I would be interested in knowing more about her situation. Did she interview, and if so, how did it go?</p>