If they're not gonna use tests as a measure, then it's probably gonna fall more on interviews / motivational letters / extracurricular activities. Again, when

If they're not gonna use tests as a measure, then it's probably gonna fall more on interviews / motivational letters / extracurricular activities. Again, when you have so and so many perfect students, you need to use other features - otherwise you might as well draw random names out of a hat. These schools (Ivy Leagues, Stanford, etc.) first and foremost want the students that are most likely to succeed at their schools. They know fully well that there are far more good students (on paper) than spots, but they also know that two 4.0 students are not alike. Some will fail, no mater how good they are in HS.