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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]

Honestly, what’s the difference in practice between a random process and one you can barely influence? [/quote]

Gosh, do you really need that explained to you?

OK.

A random process is one where you can't do anything to influence the event, so you don't.  Don't bother with that summer research job.  Don't bother doing volunteer work.  Don't bother entering the science competition.  Don't do extra research on the college for your essays.  Don't read one of the many books that can help you make a stronger application.  Why bother?  It's random. Like the lottery.

A random process is one where you apply game theory and say "I'll apply to 10 colleges with an average acceptance rate of 10% and I'll be likely to get into one!"  That doesn't work either.

In this process, with so many qualified applicants, barely influencing your chances is almost always the difference between admission and rejection.  So that tiny bit of influence is critical.
[/quote]

No, it’s often not enough. That’s why so many qualified applicants get rejected every year. If it was “almost always the difference,” those kids would get in. Why is that so hard to understand? [/quote]

It's not hard to understand.

In fact it is exactly my point.

Those kids that got in had something that those rejected didn't. There was a difference upon which they were chosen.  Not randomly.

Why is that so hard to understand?[/quote]

Wait — just so I understand it: you think the process is based on criteria you can control, such that you can guarantee the admission of a given person? You realize that’s what you’re saying, right? [/quote]

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