Donations to the University, of course.
^ US News rank, duh.
THIS:
What I’ve said for years on CC JHS also said:
AND
The 7 or 8 colleges that rejected him ALSO accepted Asian candidates with better “other” factors than he had. His list of “other” is not that impressive – not when it comes to elite institutions.
Still arguing over Asian American kids, sigh. And some still blaming the system. I might say, ignore those trying to stir things up.
The deal is this: the tippy tops are notsimple bastions of study and more study, play a few math games then study some more. They are about the fuller growth and contributions and positives which come from that. They hope for a somewhat cooperative atmosphere. They want the rounding in approach and experience. At least, enough to show more than your supposed academic might. Puh-lenty of kids get it and thrive in that sort of environment. The top institutions thrive. If you or your kid won’t succeed without a daily demand for all performance all the time, find a better match. If you’re that smart, that should be obvious. The mountain isn’t going to change just for you. In fact, the tippy tops don’t poll for how we think our kids should be evaluated and admitted.
Yes, some here would like a cinderblock, rack and stack institution, where all it is is work. So go find one. Put your energies there. But holistic says, “We see your stats, now what else can you tell us?” And you either have a good tale to tell and tell it well. Or they keep looking.
How did yet another thread go OT?
Happiness 
Of course, the real world way to do it is to examine all the factors and whatever comes out on top is what you were shooting for.
I know the subject has been going around in circles, but this article hits a lot of the points that have been discussed. The comments underneath are interesting too…if you’re interested in the topic.