Inside Harvard Admissions: Why These 3 Students Didn’t Make It

The Harvard Admissions Formula: Why Even Great Students Get Rejected

These 6 students got into great colleges — but were rejected by Harvard and Stanford & MIT. Why? Not because they weren’t brilliant. But because they missed one very specific concept — and Harvard’s leaked admissions data proves it. Let me show you how this actually works.

I’m Tina Chulet, a Wharton and Kellogg alum, and on this channel I reveal how elite colleges actually make decisions. If you’re applying from outside the U.S., or just aiming high, I help you figure out how to beat the odds with strategy—not guesswork.

What Harvard’s Leaked Admissions Data Reveals About Who Gets In

Do you want to know why these 6 profiles were rejected from Harvard & Stanford & MIT? Then listen up. There is a clear line between colleges that are in the Top 5 and those which are not. After that it becomes a bit fuzzy.

(BTW these applicants were accepted to many colleges ranked 10–20.) But for those who want to aim even higher, let’s discuss why even highly accomplished isn’t enough for Harvard, Stanford, or MIT.

Let’s look at the data. Because of a Supreme Court case a few years back, Harvard’s admissions data from over 160,000 applicants was revealed, shedding previously secret info on how elite colleges evaluate candidates. (By the way, if you want to understand this concept in depth — check out the linked video How To Get Into Harvard... Admissions Secrets Revealed.)

This data proved that admissions is not a random game. Students who are truly exceptional in at least one of these categories — what admissions officers call a “1” — are accepted at 15 times the rate of those who score just slightly lower.

But achieving a “1” in academics requires recognition through prestigious competitions or published research. And achieving “1” in extracurriculars means you’ve reached national, international, or professional-level accomplishment.

The Profiles That Fell Short: Why “Great” Wasn’t Enough

Let’s go through our 6 profiles.

If you want to see their full details, check out the video “SAT 1470, 1510, ACT 32: Who Got Into USC and Why.” All 3 students had multiple acceptances in top 20 colleges including Duke, Georgetown, University of Chicago & more.

If you want to see another set, check out “Cracking the NYU Admissions Code | 3 Real Profiles of Admitted Students.” All 3 students had multiple acceptances in top 10 colleges including Northwestern, University of Pennsylvania, and Brown.

Stay put and I will highlight which activities are Top 3-worthy.

Just looking at these slides, you might say — obviously, they didn’t accomplish much. But if you go through the other videos linked in the description, you’ll see that:

• 2 had national awards

• 3 founded businesses

• 1 had an international award

• 2 co-founded clubs

• all had leadership roles & phenomenal academics

  
  

So the obvious question is: what is considered Top 3-worthy and what isn’t?

What Counts as “Top 3-Worthy” in Ivy League Admissions

Remember, these top 3 universities have the luxury of selecting for extremely rare, high-value accomplishments.

Examples include:

• National Science Competition Finalist: Intel ISEF or Siemens Competition Finalist

• Authorship of original research published in a well-regarded academic journal

• Founded a successful startup (yes, in high school), pulling $xxxxx in revenue

• Math/Science Olympiad finalist or winner of an international competition

• Concert musician, national/international finalist or concerto winner

• Grandmaster chess player with international recognition

And here’s what’s considered “normal” among top 10 applicants — still impressive, but not rare enough to break into Harvard, Stanford, or MIT:

• Founder/president of school clubs with measurable impact

• Concertmaster or lead musician in multiple orchestras

• Summer jobs or internships at research labs or nonprofits

• Participation in local science fairs or academic mentorship projects

• Modest awards (local math/debate league finalist, etc.)

• Founder of community initiatives with visible passion

  
  

"By the way, if you’re looking for more guidance, I offer detailed courses linked below that walk you through every part of the admissions process. Plus, you’ll get access to over 450 scholarships — both domestic and international — to help you fund your education."

What Harvard Really Looks For: The Data Behind Rejection

So given that these students haven’t achieved these “rare” activities, they’re not considered standout applicants at the Top 3 level.

At Harvard/Stanford/MIT, how are these candidates rated?Most of these students would be rated a “3” on Harvard’s scale.

Now, you might think “3” sounds okay — it technically means average. But this isn’t your classroom average. This is average compared to Harvard applicants — a pool of 42,000 top achievers. Out of those, over 37,000 rated a 3… and only 3.8% got in.

Even though these students have stellar résumés, to colleges like Harvard, they’re considered common. Around 80% of applicants fall into that 2–3 range. And here’s the catch: elite colleges set the bar incredibly high. To stand out, you must achieve something that less than 1% of all applicants can claim.

If you do reach that level, your odds skyrocket — students rated at the top get accepted at rates as high as 90%.

This is why the best extracurriculars for U.S. college applicants need to go beyond school-level leadership and reach national or international recognition.

And yes, ordinary applicants can still get in — but at only a 3.8% acceptance rate. (To understand the full breakdown, check out How To Get Into Harvard... Admissions Secrets Revealed.)

The Lesson: Common Effort Gets Common Results

“So if you’re aiming for colleges like Harvard, Stanford, or MIT — understand this: it’s not about doing a lot, it’s about doing the right things at the right level.

This isn’t a lottery. There’s a pattern. There’s data. And if you follow that, your odds improve dramatically.

I break down this strategy in depth across my other videos — including the exact rating system Harvard uses. So if you’re serious, go check that video out next.

And remember: common effort brings common results — but rare accomplishments open rare doors.

If you’re applying from outside the U.S., make sure you understand how U.S. college admissions for international students really works. Or check out my free resources if you want to get started with a free college admissions consultation or explore smart college profile-building strategies for top U.S. universities.

You can checkout our courses here.