<p>I've been reading threads in various college-specific forums here about students rejected or deferred from the early admission round. I read in those threads about "perfect students" or "perfect applicants" who didn't get into their first-choice colleges. Who is a perfect applicant? How good is good enough to be perfect?</p>
<p>there is no perfect applicant, duh?</p>
<p>the perfect applicant is the one that is a perfect fit.</p>
<p>Well, I’ve read threads in which rejected applicants are described as “perfect,” and I wonder what was meant in such cases.</p>
<p>well I know a lot of people think the student who is top in their class, in academic clubs, a sport, music, community service, and excelled in them is the “perfect” applicant. I think though a unique story would make you more perfect.</p>
<p>A Nobel Prize Winner.</p>
<p>Please note, this is not what I would consider the perfect student or ideal student, but in the eyes of an admission committee I believe this would be a perfect applicant.</p>
<ul>
<li>First-generation American URM </li>
<li>2300+ SAT</li>
<li>760+ on three subject tests</li>
<li>Leadership positions (President of class, yearbook, etc.)</li>
<li>One EC that they have dedicated themselves to and achieved success in (All-state musician, athlete, or created a charitable organization maybe?)</li>
<li>Valedictorian</li>
<li>Well rounded (excels in math/science, but is also able to write a compelling essay)</li>
<li>Published research</li>
<li>500+ hours community service</li>
<li>Maintained a job during the school year and summer</li>
</ul>
<p>I think if such a person actually exists, they would have the highest possible chances of being admitted to HYPSM and the like.</p>
<p>ditto 4giggles. “perfect” doesn’t necessarily come to mean 2400, 4.0, 800+800+800, legacy, donor… although these things may increase one’s chances. A perfect applicant is an applicant that seems perfect to the admissions officer at that specific moment, for whatever reason.</p>
<p>Let colleges choose you… if they don’t want you then that is their fault…</p>
<p>try your best… and apply to schools, even safeties, that you would like to go to…</p>