Using the rubric

Here I will apply the document I wrote about in the previous post about an admissions formula to an older article titled "Just who gets in?".

Candidate 1:

SAT: 2270 = 6pts
SAT II's: 800 (Biology-Molecular), 780 (Math I), 770 (US History) = 6pts
Rank: 4th of 305 = 6pts
AP's: 5's in US History, Chemistry, Biology, and Psychology; 4 in Calculus BC and Physics
Course level: has taken 6 AP level, 4 IB level, and 2 honors (IB = International Baccalaureate, a more rigorous course of study) = 5pts

Achievements: National Honor Society (=1pt), National Merit finalist (1pt).

Subtotal: 25 pts

Activities: Science Olympiad: captain, won three medals the year before at Regionals (=3pts, 2 from leadership, 1 from academic achievements), some volunteer service in various places (~100 hours=2pts), Piano: local competition grand prize, played as soloist with two orchestras (=7pts), Flute: a few distinctions in the local orchestra (=3pts), Spanish Club: president, Chemistry club: captain, Attended summer school (college courses) at University of Pennsylvania before her senior year (4pts; 2 from add'l clubs, 2 from summer)

Subtotal #2: 44pts

Essay: on her experiences over the summer at UPenn and how that would entice her to try new things = 2pts
Recommendation: she was a rather quiet student = 1pt,
No diversity factors

Total: 47pts
Which is great but not enough for the very top schools. However, these types of students should be very proud of themselves for their achievements!

Now we look at
Candidate 2:

SAT: 2350 = 8pts
SAT II's: 800 (Math II, Chemistry), 780 (English Literature) = 6pts
GPA: 99.12/100, Rank: 4th of 665 = 7pts
AP's: 8 total. 5's in US and World History, Calculus, Chemistry, and Spanish. 4's in Macroeconomics, Physics and English Lit.
Course level: has taken 10 AP level, 5 honors level classes in high school = 5pts

Achievements: AP National Scholar (because of the 8 AP exams = 3pts), National Honor Society (=1pt), National Merit semifinalist (=1pt), Department awards in Math and Social studies (=2pts). Honor roll for the AMC, two years (=5pts). Honors in the National Chemistry Olympiad Exam (=4pts).

Subtotal: 42 pts (whoa!)

Activities: Lacrosse: JV 2 yrs, Varsity 2yrs, Captain for senior year, runner-up for MVP in junior year, team=3rd in section for two years straight (=4pts = 5*.7), Math club: winner of two local math competitions, president of the club (=2pts, for leadership only because math accomplishments already included in AMC, a higher level competition), Violin: prizes in several state competitions, concermaster in local youth orchestra, of which he is also president (=8pts), Science Olympiad: co-captain of team, won three medals the year before (=1pt, leadership already shown in math club), some volunteer service in hospital (~170 hours = 2pts), had Spanish exchange student in junior year for two months.

Essay: #1:about his Spanish and how it improved with the exchange student
#2: why he wishes to pursue medicine (=2pts)
+3 for recommendations (which I assume are awesome)

Total: 64pts

A very strong candidate indeed! This is extremely rare but would be an admit basically anywhere he wants to go. Indeed, he shows his passion for everything he does in high school (although the same is not true in college for this person). While the top admits are near 100 points, this is still a very accomplished young man.