<p>@redbluegoldgreen: I don’t think that posting stats or awards would paint a true picture of “what it takes” to get in. People with perfect stats are accepted, people with perfect stats are rejected. People with crazy ISEF/Olympiad accomplishments are accepted, people with crazy ISEF/Olympiad accomplishments are rejected. People without any prior research experience are accepted, people without any prior research experience are rejected.</p>
<p>Your essays and recommendations form a crucial part of your application - probably the most important part as long as your objective qualifications are solid. Those more “subjective” components of the application aren’t as easily or accurately conveyed in brief form. I think if you’re looking for “what it takes,” it would be more helpful to read successful applicants’ essays and recommendations than to simply hear their stats or awards. It’s also hard to get a true picture of “what it takes” by hearing the qualifications of just a couple people. The experiences and qualifications of Rickoids are very diverse, so no single acceptee would be representative.</p>