A little help? My chances at Princeton

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hi everyone,</p>

<p>So I'm a prospective student for admission to Princeton this coming year and I would really appreciate it if someone could tell me how they think I might fair. Princeton is obviously what some would call a crapshoot, as are all of the other top universities, but I just want to see what people have to say.</p>

<p>A little pretext: My grandpa is Princeton alum - he donates quite a large amount of money. We recently visited the campus (my 3rd visit there since I attend the P-rade every 5 years with my grandpa) and needless to say I continue to fall in love. But anyway, I've posted my resume below, so I'm very interested to see what you guys think.</p>

<p>Class of 2013
White - Upper Middle Class</p>

<p>Major: Most likely biology - Following a pre-med path
Class Rank: Our school doesn't rank, but within top 5% (Top 17 kids - unknown beyond this specificity)
Average: 94 through junior year</p>

<p>SAT 1: 2270 (800 CR, 730 Math, 740 Writing)
SAT II: Math I 700, US History 770, Biology-M 680</p>

<p>AP Scores: AP US History - 5, AP Physics B - 4</p>

<p>Honors/AP Classes Taken:
Spanish 2H - 93
Spanish 3H - 92
Spanish 4H - 94
English 11H - 94
H Geometry - 87
H Algebra 2/Trigonometry - 92
H Pre-Calculus - 91
AP Physics B - 94
AP American History - 94</p>

<p>My school only offers 2 AP courses through junior year so I've taken every single honors and AP class my school provides through junior year (most rigorous schedule available).</p>

<p>Senior Schedule:
AP US Government
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
AP Spanish Language
College Composition/Art of Film</p>

<p>Clubs:
Red Cross Club (2 years)
Habitat for Humanity (2 years)
Midnight Run Club (Charity club; President, 3 years)
Students for Senegal (Charity club; member 2 years, board member 1 year)</p>

<p>Other ECs:
Food Pantry Volunteer (4 years)
Youth theater group (3 years)
School Planning Council (2 years) - work with administrators to develop programs at school
Student Interviewer for new guidance counselors applying for job at my school (2 years)
Varsity Cross Country (3 years)
JV Tennis
Varsity Indoor Track and Field
Varsity Spring Track and Field</p>

<p>Awards:
National Honor Society
Introduction to Architecture Award
Research Scholarship from Cornell Medical Center</p>

<p>Work experience:
-Soccer Referee (4 years)
-Internship at Weill Cornell Medical Center (Recommendation letter from the doctor I work for and 1st author on pending publication of 2 academic papers + acceptance into national meetings on area of study) </p>

<p>Thanks so much!</p>

2

<p>I stopped after your pretext. You’d be better off asking your grandfather if you’re going to get in than the CC community.</p>

3

<p>Princeton legacies don’t always get in, even if their parents or grandfather gives a lot of money. What you or your grandfather thinks might be a lot of money might not be very much to Princeton. The development office (fund raising) complains that the admissions office costs them millions a year in lost donations because of the alumni children they turn down.</p>

<p>I think that about a third of the legacies get in - you can check the numbers. They may be better qualified than the average applicant, so you can’t tell how much of this is preferential treatment. </p>

<p>In any case, proceed as if you have to do everything else right, because you do. Your grandfather being an alum and a donor is certainly a plus.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the comments wiz and Boondocks, they’re much appreciated. </p>

<p>I agree with your assessment Boondocks. My mom applied to Princeton years ago, even then my grandfather (her dad) was giving money, and didn’t get in. Albeit her test scores weren’t Princeton caliber, but nonetheless rejection is a real possibility, even for the wealthiest of contributors. </p>

<p>Do you think my ECs are centered enough around the path I want to follow? I’ve gotten comments that I’m too spread out (which is bogus - I’m not in it for the hours). Also will my Bio-M SAT2 be a negative attribute to my application if I send it? I don’t imagine I have to send all three, but would it be weird if I was applying as a Biomedical Sciences major and didn’t have any biology testing, right? Let me know what you guys think.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

5

<p>It’s really hard for anyone to evaluate tour EC’s from the summary that people place on College Confidential. That’s why these chance threads aren’t that helpful. I think you’re better off talking to your guidance counselor if you have a good one (or a professional college counselor if you have a bad one), and go through your extracurricular thoroughly. At this point, you won’t be able to improve them, so you need to figure out how to package yourself so you can clearly demonstrate how you’re different. </p>

<p>Anything that clearly demonstrates that you’re exceptional is a plus (anyone can write how great they are in an essay, and Hitler could describe himself as a caring mentor and exceptional motivator). To me, what stands out as above and beyond is the publication of the medical papers. I would include proof of this with your application, and not simply write about this in your essay.</p>

<p>Bear in mind that I’m saying this without really knowing about your total extracurricular package, which is why I’m recommending getting face-to-face guidance.</p>

<p>There is an excellent article called Getting In from the Mid-1990’s that has an interview with the Dean of Admissions from that time at Princeton. I think it’s from a book by the same name. That is definitely worth reading. The process is basically the same – the difference is that there are more fantastic applicants from which to choose from. </p>

<p>I’d retake your SAT II’s on your math and your bio, and see where you end up. I think (without checking) that Princeton requires only two. You don’t declare a major when you apply at Princeton, so they aren’t going to say, “Where is your Bio SAT II score?” You merely give them a preference. They know that most kids change their minds, so they’ll look at your academics as an entire package.</p>

6

<p>You would probably be what is known as the average applicant. Standard test scores, ECs. Your legacy status is a plus, but as others have said, nobody knows how much of a factor that is unless you grandfather is a huge, huge donor - think six digits. So you’ve got as good a shot as the next person.</p>

7

<p>Thanks for the comment ptontiger16,</p>

<p>In reality, by your description, I would consider my grandfather a “huge, huge donor” because he has given upwards of $100,000 - upwards by how much I couldn’t tell you for sure. As one would expect, he’s very committed to getting me in to Princeton if that’s where I want to go; how much pull he has in admissions or anywhere else is a mystery to me.</p>

8

<p>I have a question…</p>

<p>In terms of extracurricular activities, does Princeton expect otherworldly accomplishments, or will students with 2300+ SAT, 4.0 GPA , + standard ECs (sports, community service) be considered?</p>

9

<p>@russimons:</p>

<p>Your test scores and grades put your application into the qualified pile, but beyond that, no one can say what chances you have, as so much of the applications process depends on how an admissions director “feels” after reading your file. Faced with more qualified applicants than they can accept, your teacher recommendations, guidance counselor’s report and essays are critically important to admissions directors. It’s a tremendously subjective process, as your recommendations and essays are compared to all other applicants. There are many variables – and your chances vary from year-to-year depending upon the competition. That’s why chance threads are not really useful or helpful.</p>

<p>@philadelphia95:</p>

<p>No matter what your extracurricular activities, EC’s are not used by themselves to admit or reject an applicant. Admissions Directors use EC’s to see what you are passionate about. The theory being that a student who holds a passion for one activity can often translate that passion into another activity or academics. The range of activities can be standard, but demonstrating passion is the ‘key’.</p>

10

<p>@gibby</p>

<p>Thanks for the advice. I believe my teacher recommendations and my counselor recommendation will be excellent, so it follows that I have to support those with an exceptional essay. The process truly is unpredictable, so I am just going to have to put myself in the best situation I possibly can and hope for the best.</p>