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Not at all, only for the top schools. I got into 2 of my state schools (1 of which is also being sued for this) and I was a very average student (#2 in class, 1500/1600, 66 college credits).

You only need a fancy resume if you apply to the T20 schools, some of which are more selective if you’re from out of state.

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I think you're being overly modest; #2 in your class is by definition not "very average" :-). Unless you're saying that the average applicant at your school was #2 in their class and had a 1500 SAT score. Which again would put your school in the top bracket by my estimation, even if it's a state school.

No kidding. #2 in class and 1500/1600 puts you in the running for Harvard/Stanford, does it not? At the very least that does not sound like a "very average student".

It really doesn't. I was #2 in a class of 39 (lol) and my Math SAT was pretty poor (710) - not good enough to get into schools like CMU, Berkeley, or even GT.

Plus I didn't have research, ISEF awards, USAMO/USACO medals, and everything else that's expected at elite institutions.

> (#2 in class, 1500/1600, 66 college credits)

That doesn't sounds like an average student to me. You were entering college as a junior, effectively.

Thanks for the info, though.

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