How much does charisma help in admissions?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For top 20, probably not.

State her GPA and SAT. We can give you a better idea that way. Top 20% can mean a lot of things.

It can’t mean much unless there is a video submitted or a faculty member mentions in a letter. And those letters won’t be read until the first cut of grades, test scores and ECs, so I don’t see how. Even the Ivy interviews won’t count since they never take the alum’s recommendations (says one who did it for an Ivy)

That’s why what GPA and SAT matter. OP simply said test score is not the highest in class. But what is it? Is it 1580 but not the highest? Or 1480 not the highest? These details matter whether the application can make the first cut.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The problem is there are a LOT of outgoing student government kids with good grades.

This. Charismatic kids can also have top test scores and grades.

If she’s competitive for a school that has fewer of these type of kids (good stats and charisma) applying and accepting, then she has a chance. Schools probably want a balance of some charismatic kids and some book smart kids, and not just all the same type.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:For top 20, probably not.

State her GPA and SAT. We can give you a better idea that way. Top 20% can mean a lot of things.

It can’t mean much unless there is a video submitted or a faculty member mentions in a letter. And those letters won’t be read until the first cut of grades, test scores and ECs, so I don’t see how. Even the Ivy interviews won’t count since they never take the alum’s recommendations (says one who did it for an Ivy)

That’s why what GPA and SAT matter. OP simply said test score is not the highest in class. But what is it? Is it 1580 but not the highest? Or 1480 not the highest? These details matter whether the application can make the first cut.

+1. I don’t know why anyone here is saying it matters…

[Anonymous]

This is laughable. Grades and test scores are 80 percent of the game. Extracurriculars then come into play, but they don't mean shit if you don't have the primary goods. Then after that comes the essays and the recs. Having "charisma" doesn't do much.

[Anonymous]

On the margins, yes.

It will not push her into a higher level of school than the rest of her application dictates.

But if she’s on the bubble with a target school or reasonable reach and has leveraged her personality in various ways, maybe it can make the difference.

If she were my kid, I would encourage her to show demonstrated interest in person wherever possible. School rep visits. Trying as hard as possible to get a bit of time with someone during campus visits - a professor in her intended major etc.

Plus the Glimpse video if that’s a good medium for her. (Some charisma translates on the screen, some doesn’t.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is laughable. Grades and test scores are 80 percent of the game. Extracurriculars then come into play, but they don't mean shit if you don't have the primary goods. Then after that comes the essays and the recs. Having "charisma" doesn't do much.

You are not serious.

Harvard admissions gives a personality score which is as important as the academic score.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is laughable. Grades and test scores are 80 percent of the game. Extracurriculars then come into play, but they don't mean shit if you don't have the primary goods. Then after that comes the essays and the recs. Having "charisma" doesn't do much.

You are not serious.

Harvard admissions gives a personality score which is as important as the academic score.

Oh, get real. This kid is top 20% in grades and test scores. They are not getting into Harvard no matter how much “charisma“ they have. Try again.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is laughable. Grades and test scores are 80 percent of the game. Extracurriculars then come into play, but they don't mean shit if you don't have the primary goods. Then after that comes the essays and the recs. Having "charisma" doesn't do much.

You are not serious.

Harvard admissions gives a personality score which is as important as the academic score.

Oh, get real. This kid is top 20% in grades and test scores. They are not getting into Harvard no matter how much “charisma“ they have. Try again.

Why are you angry all the time? Did your son get a 0 on personality score?

[Anonymous]

No. But it will be very helpful in the workforce.

[Anonymous]

Bend… and snap!!!

All day long. FFS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:If the school asks for a glimpse video, that could also showcase her personality.

It worked for Elle Woods!

Elle Woods had a 4.0 and an LSAT in the 99+ percentile rank!

If your daughter has amazing charisma she would have gotten better grades because teachers would give her all the breaks. Additionally, other students would want her in group projects and study groups, so she could pick the most successful students. My son's good friend since preschool is the most charismatic kid. He has always just oozed charisma and has been able to genuinely charm just about everyone. Teachers love him and he gets every opportunity to get straight A's. It's hard not to root for him because he just brightens the room. It is a fascinating concept.

Elected to student government isn't usually that impressive since not that many students actually run for student body cabinet.

[Anonymous]

The posters talking about Harvard are ridiculous. On the Harvard 1-6 scale, this student would rank a 3 AT BEST on the academic scale and more likely a 3- or 4.

To score a 1 or 2 on the “personal” scale, the student would need:

1. Truly outstanding qualities of character, student displays enormous courage in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles in life. Demonstration of the ability to lead or inspire those around them: unqualified and unwavering support from their recommenders

2. Very strong qualities of character, strong leadership, maturity beyond their years; uncommon authenticity, unselfish or humility.

Data from the Harvard lawsuit shows that virtually no one gets a 1 on the personal scale. So this student can reasonably expect a 2 at the very, very best and even that is unlikely.

This academic and personal mix ain’t getting nobody into Harvard, and it’s not clear at all that other top schools use anything even resembling the same scale.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bend… and snap!!!

All day long. FFS.

You got into Harvard?

What…like it’s hard?

[Anonymous]

I don't know about charisma, but I think PQs are the most important part of your application. You want the reader to like you. For t10 schools, they're investing in you. So you need to submit an application that reads: (a) I'm a good investment because I'm going to be a change maker in x area, and (b) you want to help me make that happen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD most unique trait is her personality and charisma. Grades and test scores are not the highest in the class, maybe top 15 or 20% though the school does not rank. However charisma has enabled her to win public facing awards and get elected in school government. Does this help distinguish her as an applicant at a top 10 college?

Brown takes video otherwise no photos or video