Why do Ivy league Universities accept people with GPAs that are barely in the top ten percent?

Why do Ivy league Universities accept people with GPAs that are barely in the top ten percent?
For example, Princeton accepts 10% of their incoming class with a GPA that 3.65 or lower. Is this to balance out the class or is it because the students have done something extraordinary.

because GPA doesn’t show intelligence. the SATs, although can be coached, are better determinants of intelligence as compared to a High School GPA. that’s why their don’t necessarily accept someone with a high GPA, but all Ivy League schools’ SAT scores are not just top 10%, but top 1% in the country.

Also, they like to accept well-rounded individuals and not just people who study really hard. They will interview you (and will know your personality, if you’re articulate and eloquent, if you’re smart and witty, if you know how to sell and present yourself, etc… all skills which can’t be taught in a classroom or shown on a GPA.) They want booksmart + streetsmart, basically. GPA only shows you know how to study and read books.

I go to Columbia Engineering and half my calculus class were high school valedictorians, my physics class had guys from Intel’s annual scholarships, and in my dorm there are guys who started their own businesses that already have over $500,000 in revenue. All my classmates walk tall, are confident, extremely well spoken, very mature, extremely knowledgable, and smart as hell. Our calc II professor shouts out extremely tough proofs in class and some of the geniuses in my class can shoot out the answers in 5 seconds flat. It’s ridiculous. We’re all intimidated by one another.

4 Comments

LucerneMarch 30th, 2010 at 2:58 am

They most likely have extremely high SAT scores, exceptional extra curriculars and volunteer work, or are a minority.
References :

niki mMarch 30th, 2010 at 3:25 am

The students parents probably serve in the military, they have a low income, affirmative action, or they did something extrordinary.
References :

Luv2AnswerMarch 30th, 2010 at 3:56 am

Athletes, minorities and kids whose parents went there usually.
References :

YeaaaMarch 30th, 2010 at 4:39 am

because GPA doesn’t show intelligence. the SATs, although can be coached, are better determinants of intelligence as compared to a High School GPA. that’s why their don’t necessarily accept someone with a high GPA, but all ivy league schools’ SAT scores are not just top 10%, but top 1% in the country.

Also, they like to accept well-rounded individuals and not just people who study really hard. They will interview you (and will know your personality, if you’re articulate and eloquent, if you’re smart and witty, if you know how to sell and present yourself, etc… all skills which can’t be taught in a classroom or shown on a GPA.) They want booksmart + streetsmart, basically. GPA only shows you know how to study and read books.

I go to Columbia Engineering and half my calculus class were high school valedictorians, my physics class had guys from Intel’s annual scholarships, and in my dorm there are guys who started their own businesses that already have over $500,000 in revenue. All my classmates walk tall, are confident, extremely well spoken, very mature, extremely knowledgable, and smart as hell. Our calc II professor shouts out extremely tough proofs in class and some of the geniuses in my class can shoot out the answers in 5 seconds flat. It’s ridiculous. We’re all intimidated by one another.
References :
Current Columbia student.

Leave a comment

Your comment