Academics vs. Extracurriculars?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>On the collegeboard website (website to register for SATs), it lists academics and standardized test scores under "very important" but extracurriculars under "important". I checked the other Ivies on the website, but they all view the two as equally important. Is it actually true that Princeton values academics over EC's? If so, then what do you think of my chances:</p>

<p>Academics:
Grade 11 GPA - 92%
I'm an IB student and my school doesn't rank but I would say I am definitely in the top 5%. (My school holds an recognition assembly and I received awards for having the highest marks in Math, English, French, and Law.)
SAT - 2390 (800 Critical Reading, 800 Writing, 790 Math)
SAT II - 800 Math II, 780 French, 740 Physics
IB - French SL 7/7; Geography SL 6/7</p>

<p>ECs:
The most major accomplishment I have in this area is that I started a theatre group for immigrant youths at a community centre (6-year old program) and we have performed plays at various functions and for fundraising purposes. I will focus on this as my extracurricular.
Minor ECs:
Leader of peer tutoring at my school, class representative on the Student Leadership Council, President of Math Club, member of Science Olympics, debate...etc.
I have volunteered at summer camps and senior citizen homes for the past 4 summers, garnering about 400 hours in volunteering.</p>

<p>Contests - I am an AIME qualifier, and have won awards in several local Math Contests (Fermat, Hypatia, etc)</p>

<p>Work Experience:
I worked in outreach at the community centre where I started the group. Essentially the goal of this position is to get information out to the public about the programs the centre offers (making posters, information nights, some fundraising, etc)</p>

<p>Essays and Recommendations:
Excellent recommendations; I have not finished my essays yet but I think that they'll be decent. </p>

<p>By the way, I am an international student.</p>

<p>PS. I had previously considered applying to the Huntsman program (business - Wharton - & international studies at Penn. Could you tell me if I should apply to Princeton SCEA or Wharton ED, according to my stats?</p>

2

<p>By the way, here’s the link where I found the list:
[College</a> Search - Princeton University - Admission](<a href=“College Search - BigFuture | College Board”>College Search - BigFuture | College Board)</p>

3

<p>I don’t think that Princeton values ECs less than other Ivys. I’d say that a few of the kids that princeton admits stand out because of their ECs, most are well-rounded and have extremely good ECs and academics, and a few are insane academically, but might not have done many ECs at all. </p>

<p>Applying ED to the Huntsman program (or even just Wharton) is a big commitment - you’re not just applying to a school, but to a particular program (whereas at Princeton, you wouldn’t be making decisions like that until sophomore year). If you’re sure that business and international studies are what you want to do, then go for it, but if you’re not so sure, then you might want to focus on places where you’ll have more options.</p>

4

<p>As one of my professors described it, Princeton won’t accept the kid whose grades slipped the year he composed a symphony for a major orchestra: they want kids who have demonstrated their academic chops. Other schools, like Harvard, may be more willing to take a risk on a kid with exceptional ECs despite a less-than-stellar academic record.</p>

<p>Take from that what you will (I don’t chance).</p>