<p>I'm currently finishing my freshman year in high school with a 3.5, and i'm afraid that my chance to be accepted to Princeton is gone. I recieved one 'c' in spanish because I had some family issues and i had to attend two funerals, but besides the 'c' all my grades are a 'b' or higher. I'm planning to take an AP course next year and a honors course too. I'm also a member of my schools marching band, a dancer, and i'm a professional actress apart of a theatre company. Does anyone have any idea if i'm out of the running? Any tips from people who have been accepted to Princeton would be greatly appreciated!!!
Thank you!</p>
<p>I don’t believe Princeton looks at your freshman year grades. :)</p>
<p>Of course they look at your freshman grades - but more importantly are the next two years. You need to work hard - no more C’s - and start getting ready for the Sat’s! Very mature to start planning so ahead - your advantage over most kids your age. Good luck!</p>
<p>^that actually might not be true. I distinctly remember reading they don’t look at freshman grades on another thread. Just don’t get any B’s or C’s from here on. Ok, maybe one B, don’t kill yourself over grades. Just worry about working to the the best of your abilities from here on end (cliche but true).</p>
<p>No, Princeton does not look at freshman grades. They do, however, look at class rank which is affected by freshman grades. </p>
<p>Your ECs sound AWESOME. Keep them up, take the most rigorous courses possible, and try not to get more than 1-2 B’s per year. You are still a candidate.</p>
<p>If i may: you seem to be doing things a little backwards. Your immediate goal should be to maximize your academic opportunities – in both choosing the most rigorous classload possible and excelling in them. Do ECs as fits your interest, ability and schedule. If, after a year or two, you find yourself amongst the top scholars at your HS or an otherwise major leader/influencer at your HS, then you should look at colleges that fit your academic profile. </p>
<p>Right now, it seems as if you’re trying to force an issue — “will my round peg fit in the square hole?”</p>
<p>Frankly it’s too early to determine this. And you fully need to be OK with the fact that, come the end of your Junior year, you may not be a viable candidate for Princeton. But even if so, the world is not over at all. Only 2000 people in the entire world get a Princeton accept each year.</p>
<p>FYI and to be blunt: unless you achieve mostly As from here on out in the toughest schedule your school allows, you should not be looking at PTon as a likely target school. That’s your competition.</p>
<p>My school does not have class ranks because so many of us get atleast a 3.5 or higher</p>
<p>If your school does not provide class rank, it is even more important to have a very high GPA.</p>
<p>Even if your school doesn’t have class ranks, it will be very easy to figure out what it is. Your school will provide Princeton with a school profile, which will show the grade distribution. It won’t be hard to see where you fall on that distribution. </p>
<p>You really need pretty much straight A’s from here on. Are you prepared to put that much effort in?</p>
<p>@PrincetonPlease, maybe it would be helpful to identify what it is about Princeton that appeals to you. Is it the campus? The undergrad focus? The possibility of doing the HUM sequence? If it is truly the best fit for you, you will have an easier time focusing on what is needed to get there and in convincing the admissions dept that you should be admitted. Consider what you bring to the table and build on your strengths. Not everyone who is admitted carries a 4.0 GPA (although admittedly the bulk are close). </p>
<p>Also bear in mind that the academic load at Princeton is extremely rigorous. There is a legitimate reason they only admit students with the proven ability to succeed in their educational setting - it is very, VERY demanding. Unlike some universities, Princeton has no desire to “weed out” students in the early years - they want everyone to succeed. For that reason they carefully weigh each applicant to see if they have the ability to flourish under weighty academic demands. This is why they want to see that you have taken the most demanding courses and schedule your school offers. </p>
<p>Having said all this, Princeton is a wonderful school but there are many more out there. The years ahead of you are for finding the one that truly fits you the best and taking your best shot at it! The fact that you are already looking ahead seems like a good indicator that over time you will find exactly where you will thrive. Bonne chance!</p>