<p>@quietdesperation
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<p>The SAT/ACT accounts for <em>much</em> more than they admit.
The ECs, recs and essays account for <em>much</em> less than they admit.</p>
<p>The “soft” elements of the application are used to make distinctions between applicants who have roughly equivalent GPA and SATs. They are <em>not</em> used to give a bump to applicants who have grades and test scores that are otherwise below-the-line.</p>