More Case Studies! Who Got in and Who Didn't

While strong academics, extracurricular achievements, and passion for a chosen field are essential, they don't always guarantee admission to top-choice schools. Here are three real-life examples that highlight the complexities of college acceptances.Brett was the valedictorian at his private high school. He had perfect SAT scores, earned A’s in 18 AP courses, and all scores of 5, except a 4 in AP Spanish. (Those scores include the AP Calculus BC he took as a freshman.) He made it to the finalist level in the Regeneron ISEF competition (received a grand award in Chemical Energy–21 categories—he got the top award in his category); conducted research in Finland over the summer, developed a Science Olympiad program in city schools as VP of the NHS, conducted energy research at a local university, and hoped to major in chemistry, electrical engineering or energy technology.  Brett’s chemistry teacher said he was the: “Best student in 25 years.” Outside of academics, Brett was an academic all-state in tennis in Colorado and refereed soccer for younger players. In his application to MIT, he submitted a “maker portfolio” of projects he worked on). The MIT alumni interviewer raved about him, yet Brett was waitlisted, then denied at MIT.Kristin knew that she wanted to study biomechanical engineering. This interest grew from watching her grandmother’s reliance on medical products to retain her comfort and mobility. Her high school coursework, with all A’s in rigorous (AP) science and math classes, especially chemistry, and courses such as Principles of Engineering and Advanced Engineering proved this. Her SAT score was nearly perfect. She participatedand placed in several state and university technology, engineering, and applied science competitions, including admission to her state’s Governor’s School, earning honors and presenting a paper at MIT. She interned at a chemical engineering company, and outside of academics, played two sports and devoted hours to the elderly nuns in the convent near her school. Kristin was admitted to Notre Dame, but denied at Georgia Institute of Technology.Jared, another valedictorian with perfect test scores at a large public high school, developed a passion for environmental science and studies. An animal lover, the loss he experienced when his pets died helped him appreciate the connection between the loss of animal habitats. After volunteering at a no-kill shelter, a wolf conservation project, and a reforestation project, he knew his direction. The dire consequences of losing the honeybee population drove him to find an entomology professor who took him on as a researcher. He joined his town’s Environmental Board, acted as a liaison between the town and his high school, and helped run the plastic bag ban when those became illegal. Jared knew that pursuing a scientific approach to climate change was as crucial as a political one. His parents and grandparents were Cornell alums. Despite this, Cornell deferred him, then admitted him as a sophomore. He attended BU freshman year, then entered Cornell as an Environmental and Sustainability Major with a minor in Entomology.These stories serve as a reminder that admissions decisions are not always a reflection of a student's talent or potential—but rather the result of a holistic and often subjective process.