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I am not sure that Cal Tech is the best example. They seem to be rather numbers oriented in admits than other schools such as MIT. I agree that it would be rather rare that state schools reject perfect SAT scores with decent GPAs because they have to be rather formulistic in their admission policies, unlike private schools who can be more ‘holistic.’ That said, I don’t think it takes a HYPMS to turn down perfect scores. Penn and Northwestern strongly consider the applicants interest in their schools (At Penn, Dean of Admissions, Lee Stetson stated, “if they are extra serious about Penn, Penn will make an extra effort for them. We’ve been very direct about it. Everybody likes to be loved, and we’re no exception. Everybody likes to see a sign of commitment, and it helps in the selection process.” For Northwestern, assistant director of admission Tom Menchhofer has said, “Clearly we like students who like us, and that comes across in the essays, the letters of recommendation, the student’s knowledge of and interest in the University, their activities — the passionate side of the application.”) And because they are not HPYMS, one would think that Penn and Northwestern would accept the vast majority of applicants with perfect or near perfect scores. But at least at Northwestern the statistics prove otherwise:
Percent admitted (from a few years ago):
ACT 35-36 (equivalent to 1560-1600 SAT): 66.5%
SAT 750-800 Verbal: 51.7%
SAT 750-800 Math: 46.7%
Valedictorian: 53.8%</p>
<p>Which is one reason I don’t like the “chances” threads. Applicants put down these perfect or near perfect SATs and GPAs, and if the school is not HYPMS everyone says you are in, or should be in. This is clearly not the case. At a state school this may be likely, even perhaps at Cal Tech, but rightfully or wrongly, most AdComs at elite private schools don’t go purely on the basis of numbers or strict meritocracy. They are trying to create the most diverse class of future leaders who will be happy and interact with one another at their respective schools. And not all AdComs will see an applicant the same way. Otherwise, why do they even mention what they look at besides SAT, GPA, Ecs? At Northwestern the four major categories that the AdCom looks at include academics, with attention to rigor of the curriculum and test scores; initiative, with a focus not only on activities, but also leadership, engagement and recognition; communication, specifically an evaluation of the applicant’s short-answer statements, “Why NU?” response and 400- to 500-word personal statement; and motivation, with emphasis on contacts with the University, personal connections and overall enthusiasm for Northwestern.</p>
<p>So I agree with the OP statement of “MORE THAN 5000 PEOPLE WILL BE ACCEPTED TO HYP WITHOUT PERFECT SCORES… DON’T SWEAT IT PEOPLE YOU DO NOT HAVE TO GET A PERFECT SCORE.” But I do think you need to be in the ball park and try the best to make sure that other aspects of the application look good to the AdComs. There is a reason why they mention what they look at. I would take this at their word as they are certainly not mentioning these things to mislead the applicants. I think applicants sometimes think that schools should take students purely on meritocracy- top SATs and GPAs (as state schools do). But elite private schools are trying to act in their own best interest and are looking for future leaders of society (in all aspects and communities; science, arts, business, academia, sports, politics, segments of society, etc.) that in the end will benefit the school (in reputation, donations, etc.) and this comes down to something more than admitting just on the basis of perfect SATs and GPAs.</p>
awesome.</p>