While acceptance rates have gotten lower, some of it is due to more people applying. Average scores are higher because more people are studying for exams than

While acceptance rates have gotten lower, some of it is due to more people applying. Average scores are higher because more people are studying for exams than 20 years ago. But I don't think the course work has necessarily gotten any more difficult. So while it's true that 1480 wouldn't get you in MIT these days, if the same exact "You" were born amongst the kids applying to college these days, your score would likely be higher.