Another Long Chances Thread... Pton, Cornell, and Duke

Chance Me / Match Me!
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<p>Hi,</p>

<p>My name is James and I am looking to apply to Pton this coming year and would like some advice. Pton is my first choice and I will be applying ED. I will apply to Cornell and Duke RD too.</p>

<p>Okey, some quick demographic stats... I am a poor white irishman from ohio attempting to overcome seemingly insurmountable odds and trying to make it in the big city. As for personality I am a very firendly and outgoing person. A people person and can always turn a frown upsidedown. Yeh, that sums it up, but read on to get the details. </p>

<p>I am a rising Senior at Mount Lebanon Senior High School in Pittsburgh, PA(It is the best High School in Western PA and very competative)</p>

<p>GPA: 4.3ish Weighted, and 3.7 Un-Weighted</p>

<p>Rank: Our school no longer ranks, because it does nto accurately represent the students. For example I would barely be in the top quarter despite having a GPA of over 4.0.</p>

<p>SAT: I have never considered myself strong in standardized tests... I only got a 1920 on the New Test (640 on everything), but I managed to get an 11 on the essay. I am hoping Princeton will look more to my other aspects than weight the SAT against me. I aim to take it once more though. Also I should mention I have not had any prep-classes. Yet, I will try to take the test once more this fall. </p>

<p>SAT II: Will take in Novemeber (German Reading & Listening; Math IIC; and U.S. History) I would like to mention briefly that I took a German Test offered by the AATG last year and it is very much similar to the SAT II. They grade almost identical to the SAT II, and I am proud to say I managed to get a 750 on that and placed 3rd in my school, after onyl one year of study of the language. I shall discuss later my experiance with German, which I hope Pton will consider well. </p>

<p>AP Tests: I took AP US History last May and scored a 4 on it. I plan to take more tests next year. Such tests would be as follows, AP German, AP US Gov't and Politics, AP Statistics, AP Biology, and AP Euro.</p>

<p>I am looking to study History and Languages at Princeton. </p>

<p>Junior Year Courses:
AP U.S. History - B (87.6%)
Honours Pre-Calculus - B (84.5%)
German 3 - A (I actually had a 106%...)
Honours Chemistry - A (92%)
Anthropology - A (94%)
International Relations - A (98.6%)
English 11 (Required Standard class) - A (93%)</p>

<p>Tenative Senior Courses
AP European History
Astronomy 2 (1 Sem. Elective)
Economics (1 Sem. Elective)
AP Biology
AP Statistics
Honours German 4*
Highlights of English Literature (1 Sem. Elective)
The Irish (1 Sem. Elective) [I'm going to love this class. I am a big fan of Joyce and Wilde]</p>

<p>*I will be usuing my study halls to sit in on another period of AP German 5 so as to prepare myself as best I can for the AP German test which is reputated to be a nightmare.</p>

<p>-I did not include my Sophomore classes because I can't find the actual list of what I took and don't recall the numbers of the top of my head. I can probably get them if you give me some time to go home and look through some boxes.</p>

<p>Hook-ish: Well, I am poor. So poor I can count the pieces of furniture I have in my apartment on one hand. We live in the ghetto of my town more or less in an apartment. I am the second poorest person in town. A good friend of mine is the poorest. Suprisingly we are both Irish... ha who would have thought? My dad makes about 35k a year and I have had to work several times to compensate for the lack of money (He works a commission job). I also only moved to the city my Sophomore Year. My Freshmen year was spent in rural Ohio as all my previous years before that date. So, I come from rural Ohio and bring a whole different perspective to the University. But, I am not just a dumb hick. I am smart and willing to learn new things. I was lucky that my Dad was able to grab this apartment in town for my education. Guess he saw some potential. Hopefully I can make good use of it... Also another thing may be the fact that my Dad never went to college and my mom barely went. She went to some small college called Point Park and is also not swimming in money. So, I got stuck with two poor parents. But, I am trying to make the best of it. I think that is more the hook part, but thoguht I would get it on the table. I don't hide things and see myself as quite an outgoing and gregarious person. </p>

<p>Extra curriculas and Interests:</p>

<p>I have Wrestled since 7th grade and won one Varsity letter thus far. I was co-captain of the JV Team my Junior and Sophomore Year, and will be breakign back onto Varsity this coming season. I cite my abscence to an injury I suffered my Freshman Track Season in which I whacked a hurtle pretty bad and torn up some tendons in my leg. I also am envolved with the Youth Wrestling and will go down and help with the younger wrestlers in the area as a sort of counselor. We help guide their practices and give them advice from a role model perspective suppose. </p>

<p>Yeh, I also ran Track until my Sophomore Year when I decided to focus solely on Wrestling and also because I was deathly afraid of hurtles... They have got to be the worst event in the whole dang thing. </p>

<p>I am also a Boy Scout. Currently Life Scout working on my Eagle. I am not certain if I will be able to finish it though. Sadly I will turn 18 on October 18th and I do nto have enough time. I recently had to pick up a job this summer to help with rent. Either way I have made good use of my Boy Scout Experiance and have about 35 Merit Badges and am a Member of the Order of the Arrow, the Boy Scout Honour Society. I do alot of Volunteer Work with my troop, e.g. running toy drives, cleaning up park trails. I am not sure on the exact number of hours but I do have a general idea. </p>

<p>Due to my great interest in German, and other languages. I also study Slovakian, Italian, and French (I can read the last two almost fluently) I am an active member of my school's German Club and do alot of things relating to that in the Tri-State area here. German Day, singing Christmas Carols auf deutsch... etc. Hehe.. </p>

<p>I love to read. I will devour books. Ever since I was a sweet lil' babe in Steuby (Steubenville: My hometown in Ohio) I would not be lost in the supermarket as the Ramones sing but rather, "...in the library." I am a big fan of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. I loved the book way before the movie came along, quite a few years actually. But, I do not just read great Science Fiction novels I can also sit and read Dumas' Three Musketeer's in the original french or dabble in Euripides' Troades. I learnt so much from that place. I mean I never studied that in school but somehow could go off on a tangent with my teacher about the linguistic effects of the Norman Invasion, and leave them dumbstruck. </p>

<p>My dad was a really good frisbee player in his younger years. He helped organize the construction of the Frisbee Golf Course in Pittsburgh actually. Anyone from town may know of it. So, I have with his advice taken up playing Ultimate Frisbee myself and am a member of my school team. I think it is a good hobby and alot of fun, but that is just my personal opinion. </p>

<p>I am also involved in the Speech and Debate Team at my school. I started last year though. My International Relations Teacher is the Coach and he was impressed with me in class, and suggested I come out for the team. So, I shawdowed the team last year and participated in a Debate or two and will make a full commitment next year as the season begins. I will be doing Extemporaneous Speaking which everyone tells em is the most difficult, but I apparently have a knack for it. </p>

<p>I am really close to my maternal Grandfather. As he is up in his mid 70s I often travle up to his house (he lives on the other side of town) and help him and my grandmother with chores aroudn the house. You know mowing the lawn, watering flowers, dusting. Things of that nature... </p>

<p>Summer Experiances:</p>

<p>Most summers I work at my local Boy Scout Camp as a Camp Counselor. I started when I was 14 as a CIT and now I help tech Merit Badge Classes. As summer camp runs about 7-8 weeks it takes up most of my summer. The rest I usually end up finding a job and working at least until Wrestling season starts when I focus my efforts on my grades and the sport more. </p>

<p>By work on mean mostly dead end cJobs. The onyl kind a kid my age can really get. I mean I don't have the money to secure some internship with a Harvard Proffessor and what else is there to do int he summer time. Don't have money to go on vacation. I have never been on one. Never even been on one of those things you call aeroplanes. Don't look sprised. You read it and I am serious. I don't lie or exaggerate the truth like some other people do on these forums. I am just putting it on the table. Sorry if I went a little off-topic there. </p>

<p>This most recent summer I was able to secure funding to attend the Junior Statesman of American Summer School at Princeton University. There is where my love affair with Pton began. I spent more than a month on campus living in Joline Hall and taking classes in Jadwin and Fisher and wandering all over campus as I learnt about Government and Politics. I did really well at the program and got an A in AP US Gov't and Politics, and a B in Honours Speech Communication. I think, however, the only reason I got the B was because the teacher was English and I am a proud Irishman. But, I must admit it was fun writing in huge letters Erin Go Brah! on the board and seeing the look on her face as she entered the room. We had a very good realtionship in the end though. Reached a sort of d</p>

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<p>Continued...</p>

<p>Reccomendations:</p>

<p>They will be phenomenal. I am having my AP US History Teacher and My German Teacher, along with my AP US Govt Prof (Optional Ref) give the recommendations for me. And I am being serious. These are the kinds of reccomendations that my grandmother would want to frame.</p>

<p>German</p>

<p>I told you I would say something about it. Okey, let's see. My frosh year I was in Ohio and our school only offered Spanish or French. I took French, because well I am a Francophile. I did very well in the class and got an A. Yet, when I moved to Pittsburgh I saw the school offered German. I have always wanted to learn German. Perhaps because I have great interest in World War II. That was my thought. Either way I signed up for German 1, and figured might as well take a language I love. But, I still kept up with my french. Checking out french books in the library, chatting with the french teachers at school. Anyway, returning to German I had a magnificent first year and the teacher recommended I try to get better and challenge myself more in the language. As I was techncialyl behind being a Sophomore in a German 1 class he suggested I pass out of German 2 and try for German 3. So, he gave me a ton of papers to rea over the summer and study guides. I would have to take the German 2 Exam in August to pass out of the class. And I would have to do good on it as well. I would need an A to be honest. Luckily I did study that summer in my free time. There was a fellow staff member up at Scout Camp who spoke fluent German so I was able to, after a log day of teaching knots to kids, etc., to review the German case endings and verbs. It was brutal but I managed and come August I passed with a 92%. It was by the skin of my teeth they said. So, I was in German 3 for my Junior Year and I did quite well in that class aswell. So well I was actually going to try to go into AP German for my senior year, but did not have any time over this most recent summer to study. Yet, I worked out a plan with my teacher to take my study halls this coming year and sit in on a AP German class and get 2hrs of practice a day so to prepare myself for the gruelling 5hr AP German Test. Also I will be getting some practice with my Extemp (Debate) partner who is herself a fluent German speaker. She actually spent her Junior year in Cologne Germany as an exchange student. Imagine as we prepare our speechs on Bush's Social Security Plan and the looks of other students as they try to comprhend our "secret code" as to not share ideas. Heh... anyway hope you enjoyed reading this. I pray it wasn't torture. But, I figured best to tell the whole story as to get a good picture. </p>

<p>Summing Up</p>

<p>That is me. I haven't had a perfect life. I have had a rather hard one. And I am looking at Pton to give me the chance to succeed. Let's talk about potential for growth. Hehe... With such a low income I am almost forced to apply to the most selective as they are the only ones that are need-blind. But, I really do love Pton. I went to walk past Nassay Hall and thru Blair Arch smiling as I stop to get a drink at the U-Store and walk to the stadium across campus and watch Harvard get beaten by the Tigers.</p>

<p>Also I am a conservative... maybe I can contribute some political diversity there. Or should one even mention that... Either way I will probably do soemthing with trying to get Sentorum re-elected in Pennsylvania this fall. So the question is do I say his name, or do I leave it as Senator and let them guess wether it is Casey or Sentorum...</p>

<p>And one more thing I couldn't fit in above... will be tuturoing a friend of the family's kids. They are in the 6th grade and I will be helping them with Math, Science, History... You know the works. The work will more than likely be pro bono as they are a friend of the family but I may get a few dollars. Who knows for certain. Not I.</p>

<p>Anyway, your suggestions, comments, and random thoughts are most welcome. </p>

<p>Please offer something for Princeton, Cornell and Duke though.</p>

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<p>haha i got 1910 on my sats. 640/640/630</p>

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<p>Yeh, I wasn't much prepared for the test so after 3hrs I was well spent. I will take it again this Fall if I can. I think the deadline to sign up is September 7th so I have some time to sign up. I have to take the SAT IIs this November. So, it is now or never... ergh...</p>

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<p>+++++++++++++++++++++</p>

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<p>Thank you for your comments. And no one is forcing you to read this. You don't have to. But please don't take it out on me if you had a bad day.</p>

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<p>I think that you will get into Cornell. Based on your SAT, your probabilities of acceptance to Duke and especially Princeton are not too high. Adcoms would probably let you in if you were an African American, but I don't know if they will sympathize with a european immigrant enough to overlook the very low sat score. You should get the book "20 real sat tests," complete them, and understand your errors. That should take you up to 700's on all sections. Then you would have a much better shot.</p>

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<p>Tupac,</p>

<p>Yes, I think my best chances are with Cornell to be honest. Duke will be a reach, yet it is much closer than Princeton. I do not sincerly expect to get into Princeton. Yet, I am curious and I really do like the school. Shame I am not black though. </p>

<p>I will take your advice though and work on my SAT score the best I can. I think I need alot more practice. If I can but raise them into the high 600s and low 700s I think I would stand a much better chance at Duke. Princeton... only God knows... </p>

<p>Thanks again for your helpful advice. Yet, I must ask isn't "20 Real SATs" for the old SAT? Or did they make one for the new SAT?</p>

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<p>bump - bump - bump</p>

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<p>"20 Real SATs" is for the old SAT. But in reality, it is probably better prep for the new sat (math and reading sections) than "new sat prep books" by Princeton Review, Barrons, etc. You shouldn't worry about the analogies or the math problems with the 2 collumns though. For writing practice, you should get a princeton review new sat book out of the library and just do the writing sections of their practice tests, and understand why you missed the problems you missed.</p>

<p>I remember in freshman year my psat score was around 180 (1800 new SAT equivalent). Junior year it was 229 (2290 equivalent) because I took some practice tests prior. I don't think that anyone is innately great at the SAT. Everyone I've ever known that has done very well has at least taken some practice tests.</p>

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<p>Hey, I love hurdling! 400IH = Best Race Ever :D</p>

<p>Truthfully, I think your chances at these schools will largely depend on how you present yourself on your app. Give it a shot... who knows what could happen?</p>

<p>If you're serious about applying to Princeton ED, stop on by the Princeton forum and sign up on the ED roster! We'd love to add to our small army of EDer's :p</p>

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<p>that was too long of a post....</p>

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<p>SAT is still low for cornell, but you have an ok shot their ED</p>

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<p>Low chance. Low SAT, low GPA...only interesting thing you listed was JSA, and a lot of people here already have it. Your job is good but it wouldn't make much of an impact. </p>

<p>Also, top pitying yourself kid. 35k for one person isn't low at all. My parents (mother+father) don't even break 40k American together. You think you are poor? There are kids here who grew up in trailer parks living by a single parent who earns ~15k a year, and they still manage to juggle several extracurricular activities while working full time.</p>

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<p>Thanks for all your comments.</p>

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<p>Go and apply to some extreme safeties. Your scores are way to low in comparison with others on this site.</p>

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<p>Cornell ED, if that. The test scores simply put you out of contention from the get-go.</p>

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<p>your SATs are below-average. try to lift them up to 2200+ in order to have a chance at Pton.</p>

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<p>^this thread is from 2005…</p>

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<p>haha, i love how we just brought back a thread from 2005. This person is already a senior at whatever college they are at</p>