rather other kids are being rewarded for achievement in other areas.
IOW, GPA and ACT simply aren't guarantees anymore, rather there is more to the formula. its not as if they look at two kids - one with a 4.0 and a 33 ACT and the other with a 3.3 and a 27 ACT and go - eh, we don't want nerds, so lets take the dumb kid. you still have a ton of kids there with 4.0s and 32+ ACTs.