<p>Out of these students, who would most likely get accepted to harvard??</p>
<p>Student A:
Student A is a diligent worker, always trying his/her best and giving 110% on every task assigned. Unlike Student B (see below), Student A does not make as high of grades as does Student B. However Student A posseses greater tenacity and enthusiasm for learning. </p>
<p>Student B:
Student B constantly gets high marks on tests and assignments. However, he/she puts off studying and doing homework until the last possible moment before it’s due. Student B knows he/she can ace any test if he/she crams right before, which he/she does. Unlike Student A, student B has a higher GPA.</p>
<p>I’m gonna say that it could go either way… It’s much easier to show high marks and test scores on paper than to show diligence and tenacity. However, if you can find a way to let the adcom SEE those traits, Student A is closer to what they are looking for. If, for example, Student A is very involved in community service or extracurricular activities that she/he finds meaningful, that would provide a definite advantage over Student B, who I would expect to be less involved outside of schoolwork.</p>
<p>Definitely not A. A is already burned out. Already works at 110% at HS still but still can’t get as high grades as B. A got no chance to be more successful in college than B.</p>
<p>Other than recommendation letters/essays, the admissions office doesn’t really know about study habits. </p>
<p>B obviously has more academic potential, if he can coast without trying. But he might discover that he doesn’t have the work ethic to rise to the level of performance expected in college. A might work as hard as he could, but might not meet expectations at a top college if he can’t do as well as B while giving all his effort.</p>
<p>Btw… in my experience naturally smart people tend to succeed in college admissions more than those who are particularly hard workers. Not to say that a strong work ethic isn’t important/some people don’t get in more on the merit of their work. </p>
<p>But of the people from my high school that got into their first choice ivy… many more were brilliant coasters than particularly hard workers.</p>
<p>You need to be both. But a generally “unenthusiastic” (is this what type B is supposed to be?) person isn’t going to win admission unless his accomplishments are above and beyond (academic or athletic superstar status)</p>
<p>no hahah
it seems like it, but it’s just something i was thinking of because i know there are people like student a and b and i just wanted to see who would be a better candidate or match for a school like harvard.</p>
<p>well, I personally am an A (although my grades are just as high as B); student B beat me for valedictorian by .15, but I was accepted into 7 schools, vs. student B’s 2 schools (btw B did not get into havard). In the end student A prevailed, as student B, even w/ being #1 was not chosen for principals hall of fame (a hallway of honored seniors from the past 50yrs of graduating years).
Go student As :)</p>
<p>but if you think about it, since person b doesn’t spends craploads of time studying, person b has much more time to follow different non-school activities which is he passionate about and which he can show at his college application gaining an advantage over hard studying person a who is not able to invest that much time into other stuff…</p>
<p>I think generally people who get into schools like Harvard have A’s ability for hard work and enthusiasm, and B’s ability for getting good grades and probably also for doing work fast. I know having a very tight schedule has certainly taught me to do good work very quickly, and I got into Harvard etc., and the others I know who got in are similar.</p>