Am I on the right track for Princeton '14?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Currently I'm a sophomore in high school but was just wondering if what I'm doing now is enough to qualify me for Princeton. And if not, how I could improve. So here goes:</p>

<p>School Type: Large, Public (2000-3000 students)
Ethnicity: Asian Female</p>

<p>Currently:
GPA: 4.8-4.9 weighted
Rank: 3/600
SAT: predicted: 2100-2350 (all these <em>could</em> be higher)
SAT II: World History 690 ---> will retake, predicted: >740</p>

<p>Freshman Classes:
AP World History: A -------> Exam: 5
Honors French III: A+
Honors English: A
Honors Biology: A
Honors Algebra II: A/B+
Advanced Orchestra: A+
PE: A
Health: A+</p>

<p>Honors Geometry: A
Honors French II: A+</p>

<p>Sophomore:
AP US History: A
AP European History: A
Honors French IV: A+
Honors Chemistry: A(+)
Honors English: A-
Honors PreCalculus: A
PE: A
Computer Applications: A</p>

<p>Projected Junior and Senior Schedule:
AP Literature
AP Calculus BC
AP Biology
AP French V
AP Psychology
Honors German II
Physics
Photography</p>

<p>AP Composition
AP Stats
AP Environmental Science (or AP Physics)
AP French VI
AP Government
AP Microeconomics
Honors German III
Speech
Anatomy</p>

<p>Self Study: AP Chinese</p>

<p>I am assuming I will get mostly 5's on AP's, maybe an occasional 4.</p>

<p>EC's (assuming I do these throughout high school=4 years, etc):</p>

<p>Piano for 10 years, won gold and perfect scores at 1st and state level
Viola for 5 years, won gold as ensemble
Principal Viola in School Orchestra as Freshman
New World Youth Orchestras (local orchestra with 4 hour rehearsals each Sunday): Viola (3 years)
French Club (4 years)
Film Club (4)
Student Council (3 years) (50+ hours volunteer work)
National Honors Society (2) (volunteer work)
Philosophy Club (1)
World Connections Club (4 years) (5+ hours volunteer)
National French Honorary Society (3 years) (10+ hours tutoring)
Academic Superbowl Team for Fine Arts and Social Studies (3 years)
Volunteering at local library during summer (50+ hours)
Tutoring/Volunteering teaching French at elementary
7 Week Study Abroad Summer Program in France (attend school, live with host family, etc)
Most likely will be some sort of AP Scholar
Most likely will be National Merit Semifinalist, etc</p>

<p>Sorry for the long list, but anyway, does this look at all acceptable for applying to Princeton or H, Y? I know that I'm only a sophomore so some things may change and not be predictable, like AP/SAT scores among other things. So, IF my resume looked something like this by senior year, would I have a chance? Also, is there anything I can improve on, and how?</p>

<p>Thank you so much for reading!</p>

2

<p>WOAH. Ok first of all do not worry about your 690 on History, it is fine. And don't do overkill on the classes. It is ok to have spare time. And you will not have time for all of those EC's. Also, don't bother to mention any community service that is 5 hours, its pretty insignificant. It is still early though, and hard to predict. Take time to BREATH.</p>

3

<p>chicagoboy: I saw that you attend Princeton and just wanted to ask: what, in your opinion, was the most important factor that caused you to be admitted? Just wondering...Thanks for the advice.</p>

4

<p>yeah, i mean you look good and everything but don't kill yourself, there. then again, if i'd known what it takes to get into Princeton when I was a sophomore, I probably would have been you. and how are you gonna take AP French twice? </p>

<p>also, what's your passion? music? French?</p>

5

<p>theprez: Thanks. I just really want to improve my chances from the very onset because grades/courses/ec's aren't just something you can accumulate overnight, right? I'm going to take AP French and exam as a junior but the continuation of French in our school is called French VI, which is AP level but no exam at the end. </p>

<p>I would say my main passion is music but I also really enjoy languages and culture, hence the study abroad trip, etc.</p>

6

<p>Academics look good, but the EC's, while numerous, aren't all that eye-catching.</p>

7

<p>Were you being sarcastic? I don't go to Princeton....</p>

8

<p>Come back in 1.5-2 years. Right now it's impossible to say.</p>

9

<p>chicagoboy: Oh, I'm sorry. I thought I read that in one of your other posts. Sorry for the mix-up.</p>

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<p>come back later, its hard to tell now.</p>

<p>you may project those scores, but they could be higher....and they could be lower! so don't get your hopes up too high.</p>

<p>but your ec's need a ton of work, you have a laundry list and nothing seems to have passion or stick out.</p>

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<p>Just wondering, but how would I work on my EC's? I'm focusing on music mainly (piano/viola/orchestra) and spend so much time on that already. How does that not show passion or dedication? And also languages-French, I would have taken 6 years of that plus a highly recognized study abroad program over the summer for 7 weeks. </p>

<p>Are these things really considered not as good as varsity sports or being qualified for AIME, or something?</p>

12

<p>Hmm, ECs need work. </p>

<p>My cousin was valedictorian, played the piano since he was 5, and also did viola for a few years. In fact, his transcript looked a lot like yours. He didn't get in. Of course, that was most likely because he was unlucky.</p>

<p>In addition to those, you should work on getting more leadership hours, as well as a summer job. Many Ivy League hopefuls haven't worked one hour in their entire life.</p>

<p>Btw, good job on the music stuff. That shows commitment.</p>

13

<p>Hmm. Ok, thanks. </p>

<p>I also have occasional various gigs playing in church ensembles for pay, if that helps at all...which it probably doesn't.</p>

14

<p>It's almost sickening that people are so hung up over being "on track". If you're posting on here as a sophomore, you're probably heading in the right direction. Remember to leave some time to breathe and relax. They're key.</p>

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<p>do you actually want to go to these three schools?</p>

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<p>Yes, very much so. I may be mistaken but I feel that Princeton especially could not fit me better.</p>

<p>Are you implying that I don't have very good chances?</p>

17

<p>just curious</p>

18

<p>I don't think you can be sure yet what you want in tenth grade. Work hard to KEEP YOUR OPTIONS OPEN, but don't select schools yet. You don't know yet what atmosphere or environment you want. Also, I have planned to do at least 6 different majors, and changed my mind 3 times in senior year alone. I even change my mind between a big core (Chicago) and academic freedom (Brown). I have changed my mind between big schools and then to schools as small as Haverford. I am not sure if everyone else is as indecisive as me, but I know I am completely different from 10th grade. Last spring I was set on UPenn, then this year chose to not even apply. Just keep your options open really.</p>