[nopinsight]

So out of curiosity, what would be some optimal sets of characteristics for being admitted to top Ivies?

Are they largely looking for people with ‘change-the-world’, ‘make-a-big-impact’ potentials and great academic records (with the former being the more important criterion)? Or something else?

I expect these criteria can be described in words and it is not only learned through apprenticeship as supposedly there are tens or hundreds of officers doing the filtering.

[IvyAdmisions]

Generally they want a mix of people like that; people skilled in sports, music, various arts; and some people TRULY gifted intellectually (actually doing research or showing strong promise to). They also need to admit enough rich kids to satisfy the annual giving org and make sure enough poor kids and black and latino kids get in to meet liberal/progressive racial goals.

[nopinsight]

Interesting and thank you for the reply. So they aim to admit people truly outstanding at something or with the potential to do so and strong evidence to back that up.

I guess they might miss out on some exceptional generalists who tend to shine a bit later in life.

[extra88]

Of course. No process is perfect and there are more exceptional people than there are spaces for them at Harvard or at all the Ivies.