<p>As it stands, Princeton is probably my top choice and therefore an option for ED for me. That said, I know how near-impossible it is to get in. What worries me is my transcript. I have always taken honors classes, and there are a few B's scattered. The vast majority, though, are A's and A-'s. I know everyone says this, but I go to a REALLY competitive suburban public high school and always feel stunned by how smart so many people are around me. So those are my concerns with the transcript. (By the way, a lone B- is my lowest grade, but it was in math, and practically everyone who had her for a teacher dropped down into a "regular" level.) I should also add that I got straight A's and A-'s for my entire junior year, so there's definitely an upward trend.
I think my test scores are decent (maybe???). My ACT is a 32, and my SATs were a 2100 (I know, below the range, but I want them to consider the ACT instead, which they do now). I've only taken one SAT Subject Test (US History, 800) and plan on taking two before the deadline.
My extracurriculars are pretty good as well...at least I hope. Though I don't have as many as some wonder children on here, I commit myself insane amounts to these activities, which include debate, the newspaper, and even an improv troupe. I also am in religious/political groups as well and have served on executive boards at one point or another for all of them. I've received a few regional and state debate awards, and I was also part of the national championship team, so I devote myself to debate much more so than most.
I think my essays will be great. Trust me, I usually err on the side of underconfidence, but I think they'll work, as I am better at writing/reading than at math or science (except biology). I plan on writing about my constant struggle for perfectionism and how it was manifested in my eighth-grade spelling bee that I won on the school level but almost at regionals. (The moral: I characterized that as a "loss," which it techincally was, but I should've been happier with my preceding accomplishments.) There are other essays I have yet to write, but that might be my CommonApp one if I can pare it down to 500 words (though it's at about 1,000+...oops).
Hopefully, my recommendations will be good, too. I don't know who will write the second, but my hebrew teacher will probably write one, and we get along great. I've had her since I was a freshman and I participate and do well in that class.
Thanks for assessing my chances, guys! I really appreciate it! I'm worrying TONS right now, as if you couldn't already tell.
PS: I know this isn't techincially a legacy, but my brother attends Princeton right now ('07). I'm grasping for straws... :)
PPS: In case you were wondering why I'm relying on the ACT so much, hopefully it won't be that weird, since I'm from the Midwest.</p>
<p>I'm sure if you compare yourself to your bro thatll help. Although, you do strike me as a longshot but the college process is odd...</p>
<p>My above post isn't able to be edited, for some reason, so let me also add that I have taken 3 AP tests and got 5s on all of them (US History and English Language from this year, European History from last year).
My brother did have higher grades and somewhat higher test scores, so that's why I'm nervous, but I'm hoping that people "below" that range can still get in. :)</p>
<p>What is this stigma with the ACT? Every Ivy League university and most others say that they have no preference, and will accept either the ACT or the SAT. So why is it that people act almost apologetic when they say they want to submit their ACT? And why do so many other people on this site try to discourage them, saying that it is bad to submit the ACT?</p>
<p>cavalier, i agree with you completely...i dont understand whats so bad about the ACT when all the top colleges now accept it...and some in fact allow it over the SATI AND the SAT IIs (i.e. yale and upenn)...to contribute to this thread, i should say that while yes, your scores are below the range, it doesnt mean you're automatically going to get rejected. it'll just make princeton real iffy about your application. HOWEVER, if theres one thing, and i mean ONE thing that makes them say "wow" when they see your application, they will completely disregard your scores and accept you. that's all it takes.</p>
<p>So, by scores, do you mean my transcript, SATs, and ACTs? I'm not saying my ACTs are perfect, but I think they're higher than my SATs. I'm not quarreling with you, though - I'm retaking the ACTs once more (at least) to see if I can get a 34+. Do you have any ideas (they can be REALLY general) as to what would make them say "wow"? Hopefully, some other stuff on there, but my hopes aren't too high...</p>
<p>try focusing on the debate/newspaper maybe?</p>
<p>According to the College Board, an ACT of 32 converts to a SAT Math and Verbal of 1420...about where your SATs are</p>
<p>I think you should apply somewhere else to get out of your brother’s shadow. It seems like the struggle against perfectionism has a lot to do with your brother’s over-achievement. I feel that you are a very smart person, and you believe so too, but had difficulty to shine because people presume your brother’s traits on you. Going to Princeton would only keep you inside his shadow and do more harm than good.</p>
<p>Why not apply to other places like Harvard or Yale to demonstrate that your are smart, but in a way that is different from your brother. I heard of lots of stories about smart people with less perfect transcripts who get in Harvard, but only about academic overachievers who get in Princeton.</p>
<p>@azure: this was 4 years old…</p>
<p>He seems to not have noticed the date or the mentioning of Princeton’s now non-existent ED program.</p>
<p>Oops,
it appeared on the related thread of a headline thread on yesterday’s CC website…</p>
<p>i was super anxious about my transfer decisions, keep reading posts in this forum, and didn’t pay attention to the date.</p>