alright Stanford boy, lets have some reading comprehension here.
This started when someone said they're not too good academically and that a 2.5 from Stanford in a bad degree is borderline worthless. Someone else then responded that the twins are at least decently intelligent so that probably wouldn't be the case (but no claims of saying they'd get in without running). Then presumably the same person responds that he wasn't saying they weren't smart, just that they wouldn't get in without running. 0/2 on remembering his own words there. Then, he goes on to add that people with their grades wouldn't get in without being related to powerful people (he does not know what grades they get and is entirely speculating. for some context though, Nico had a 4.7 in hs, so that might be the ballpark we're dealing with).
Admissions are hardly predictable. A certain gpa does not guarantee you will or will not get in to a particular school. Would they have gotten in without their running? Statistically not likely, but being this absolute about it is odd, especially since that was not even the original topic.
As for whether they could succeed there, the original topic, I don't see why not. Admissions officers at top schools (Yale maybe?) have said 70% of their applicants can handle the work load. I know athletes and others without spotless high school academic records that are doing just fine at rojos alma mater.
At the end of the day its strange to diminish what these kids have done or what they're capable of. Especially in the case of some posters who are twice their age.