Will stellar test scores make up for sucky rank?

[boho_girl]

<p>

This is not accurate. At highly selective schools like Yale, the most important components of an application are grades, rigor of curriculum, and standardized test scores. **Only after you get past the threshold with those elements will other components --including ECs, even fantastic ones – come into play. **Yes, it is important to have ECs that show passion, but they will not compensate for poor test scores.

I don’t know much about admissions selection process, but I kind of disagree with the bolded part. Then how come some applicants get accepted with lower scores or gpa? If they have a certain threshold to pass then those applicants with lower scores (or whatnot) wouldn’t even have a chance!</p>