Why do Ivys reject perfect candidates?

Applying to College
40

I think universities and colleges that are fortunate enough to have their choice of the brightest high schoolers want kind, thoughtful and interesting kids, and the often missed opportunity to reveal those qualities is in the essays.

Here are two examples of revealing essays:

This about buying used paint brushes:

http://mitadmissions.org/blogs/entry/my_college_essay

And this (scroll down a few pages) about killing a squirrel:

https://books.google.com/books?id=5DH7a7ECTRQC&pg=PT100&lpg=PT100&dq=Michele+A.+Hern%C3%A1ndez.+Finally,+the+last+major+section&source=bl&ots=-MmeJduEtu&sig=vrvS8NGKsD6KMxsgCXXDx2dN8AI&hl=en&sa=X&ei=2qX0U-KuIJG2yASluIGQBw#v=onepage&q=Michele%20A.%20Hern%C3%A1ndez.%20Finally%2C%20the%20last%20major%20section&f=false