ECs, LoR, Essays are definitely all important but this is a trivial matter I’d like input on.
At time of college apps, fairly competitive high school with ~5 top ivy kids a year:
3.95/4.45 2400 SAT
4.0/4.35 2300 SAT
I’d probably go with option 2 but in my opinion they’re both pretty similar…what about you and why?
Both get wait listed, incomplete applications.
@ClarinetDad16 Guess post was a bit unclear…or if you’re trying to pick fun at the question (i dunno why :P). Assume everything else is equal, this is a hypothetical question just comparing these 2 aspects of the entire muti-factored process.
So they are identical twins?
Academically, they are indistinguishable. Flip a coin. Or more likely, reject/WL both
The question seems to be is GPA > test scores, and the answer probably is that it depends. There’s not nearly enough information here to make an educated guess about the chances either have of getting into an Ivy.
I would tell them to spend more time on match schools.
The GPA and SAT will not be the determining factor. Both are academically competitive and that’s it.
No difference. Both can do the work. Along with a kid who has 2200and 3.8. All pass first cut and move to the next step.
It would be extremely rare if the essays were similar. The first student could talk about how he/she is on a quest finding the last number in pi, or the second student could talk about a famous anime web series she made. Hypothetically if they were the same, it would be all on the admissions board’s decision. Besides, top schools look for qualities in students that would be a return on investment for the university, and having a passion in a unique area is one of those qualities. Its more about what you put in this world that matters most.