<p>My dream is to get into Princeton (I bet you hear this one enough :P). I am only a sophomore in high school so I still have time to improve in any areas in which I'm lacking. </p>
<p>I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA. My weighted GPA is a 6.9 (I've taken many extra honors courses online to earn extra credits). My goal is to finish high school with at least a 10.00 (which is possible where I live. possible -- but takes more work than most people are willing to put in). During Freshman year, I had one regular class, however this year I have all AP/Honors classes. </p>
<p>I am a member of the Debate team (the current debate captain is a senior, and my teacher and I have discussed the possibility of me taking over next year) and one of the editors of the school newspaper. </p>
<p>My grandfather is a professor at a pretty prestigious university (for safety reasons, I will not say the name). He has agreed to give me the opportunity to assist him with some research and studies that he is working on. I will be helping him with this a few times a week. </p>
<p>I am also going to volunteer at a local hospital next summer. </p>
<p>I am a belly-dancer (will this matter at all?) as well. My team and I dance at many different charity events.</p>
<p>*** I realize that I still have quite a few gaps to fill as far as building the perfect application, but thankfully I still have some time to do so. Please give me some suggestions on what I need to work on and ideas for how I can better my chances. Anything is appreciated. Thank you. (:</p>
<p>Here’s one: don’t work w/your grandfather. It looks to be (and is) just a favor – not gotten through your own merit/talent.</p>
<p>Think about it: student A works for her father’s law firm. Student B goes out and sells himself to tons of research team, eventually landing a minor spot on a science project.</p>
<p>How will the college (in this case Princeton) know that the student got it through the grandfather? I don’t know how they would find out. This is also of personal concern because I turned down various positions at other companies to work at a lab where my uncle works because it aligned better with my personal interests (physics rather than engineering).</p>
<p>I guess it’s all a matter of presentation. I would not highlight any familial connections at the lab. Look, adults know that many internships & jobs are gotten through connections – often by relatives. It’s rare to find actual examples of “student B” above. But you can do yourself a favor by not putting it forth anywhere.</p>
<p>Also make sure your SAT is around a 2200 and that you have 700s on your subject tests. They’re really important if you want admission, but aren’t the only factors, thank god.</p>
<p>Thank you for all of the input! My grandfather actually has a different last name than I do, so in that case, I guess I could go ahead and put his name as it won’t directly link back to me.</p>
<p>^^^
I was wondering about the same thing, but I feel the whole scenario is wrong. How could you morally conceal such an advantage? That so many posters condone this is sad…</p>