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You have your answer right there. There are a couple of decades of research now that shows that “most successful” is a matter of EQ (emotional intelligence) rather the IQ. That is, social intelligence and qualities such as self-discipline win out over intellectual abilities. Harvard wants to educate future Presidents, Senators and Supreme Court Justices, or corporate CEO’s. In addition to personal qualities, personal connections are important – so the sons and daughter of current Presidents, Senators, judges and CEO’s probably get an admissions boost far more significant than affirmative action for some ghetto kid raised in poverty. Harvard does have its own internal diversity goals to meet – and they will consider those in admission – but they are going to place a high value on qualities that they perceive as evidencing leadership potential. </p>
<p>But that is probably not the same as what Brown is looking for. Brown is located about an hour’s drive away from Harvard – I think a prospective student could visit both on the same day, and have a very different sense of the respective cultures of each campus.</p>