Another "What are my chances?" post

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Alright, for those who have the time, I would appreciate objective opinions about my profile and my chances of getting into Princeton ED. Thanks a lot</p>

<p>Academics</p>

<p>GPA - 4.8
Class Rank - 1 (as of the end of my junior year - my graduating
class will probably only be about 40)
Highest grade in class - 11th grade: every class that I took at the school
(6 classes), also a number of classes from earlier
years but I don't have the records right now
Course Selection - My school does not offer AP or IB classes but I've
taken every honors class that they have offered
since the 9th grade. I also took two classes (english
composition and englilsh composition literature)
through dual enrollment at a local community college.
I got A's in both classes.
SAT Reasoning
Math - 710
Verbal - 800
Writing - 800</p>

<p>ACT
Composite - 34
Mathematics - 34
Reading - 36
English - 34
Science - 32</p>

<p>Extra Curriculars</p>

<p>Athletics</p>

<p>Freshman - Varsity weightlifting, JV Football (coach's award for work ethic)
Sophomore - Varsity Cross Country (best newcomer), Varsity Track & Field
(most valuable runner)
Junior - Varsity Cross Country (most valuable runner) (10th in the 1A
state meet) (25th at AAU Nationals), Varsity Track & Field
(most valuable runner)</p>

<p>Student Government & other organizations</p>

<p>Freshman - Member of the National Junior Honor Society, Member of the
Fellowship of Christian Athletes
Sophomore - Class President, Assistant director of records for the Council of
Eagles (our overseeing student government), Member National
Honor Society, Member FCA
Junior - Class President, Co-director of our school store (COE) Member
NHS, Member FCA
Senior - <em>this is only what I know so far</em> Representative of the school
( a 2 person position that holds other responsibilities), Member
of the "upper echelon" of the senior class board, Treasurer
NHS, Member FCA, Tacit director of the school store (COE)</p>

<p>Service</p>

<ul>
<li>too convoluted</li>
</ul>

<p>Other Awards and Activities</p>

<p>-Hugh O' Brian Youth Leadership Seminar (1 attendee per school)
- Highest score in the ACSII Math League competition at our school (I don't remember all of the specifics, but I did this my sophomore and junior years. My junior year, our school as a whole placed third in the state. I had twice as many answers right as the next highest score - not to be supercillious.)
-NMSQT qualifier (or whatever the first round is called)
- awards at my school for leadership, service, effort, and character
- Kodak Young Leaders Award (which makes me "considered" for a $6k a year scholarship at Rochester)
- Attended the National Young Leaders Conference (through CYLC)
- Invited to a number of other summer programs that I could not attend (I'm not sure how many of them actually constituted a honor or an actual curriculum)</p>

<p>Interests</p>

<p>-Number Theory (although I'm a blatant neophyte)
-Cryptography
-Reading (a lot)
-Military History / Strategy (especially World War I)
-Conspiracy Theories (although I probably would not include this on my application) (don't worry, it's more of a casual interest than an obsession)</p>

<p>Another question: How will my school's diminutive qualities affect my chances of admission?</p>

<p>Thanks for your input</p>

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<p>bump... 10char</p>

3

<p>your grades and sat are outstanding. I don't think you need to worry about them.</p>

<p>the other stuff is great. try to convey your one passion. do you know what it is?</p>

4

<p>why is your graduating class only 40? where's your school?</p>

5

<p>Brand_182,</p>

<p>My graduating class is reflective of my high school size (about 180), so there's not a large number of dropouts or anything. As to why the school itself is so small, I cannot say. I know that a number of people consider the disciplinary measures there to be too strict (which leads to a progressive attrition). It's located in South Daytona Beach, Florida. It's called "Warner Christian Academy".</p>

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<p>Amnesia,</p>

<p>I've thought about my passions, but I have not yet narrowed them down to the one I will try to accentuate through my application. From a service perspective, I derive much enjoyment from teaching and cooperating with my fellow students to pursue academic interests outside of school (as corny as it sounds). As far as subject matter goes, I really don't have any classes that I don't enjoy, but I would consider my passion to be a strange combination of mathematics and history. I really enjoy anylitical history. For sports, I would consider myself extremely dedicated to cross country, which I truly enjoy. Thanks for your views.</p>

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<p>As an ED applicant, I think your chances at Princeton are good. Good luck.</p>

8

<p>What about your SAT 2s?</p>

<p>Everything else looks AWESOME!</p>

9

<p>foolonthehill161,</p>

<p>I haven't taken any SAT II's yet. Right now I'm studying for MathII, US History, and Literature. The literature one doesn't seem too bad - I got a 780 on my first practice test (but it was from Kaplan). The MathII practice test had me worried for a while (it's from Barron's), but that's improving. My US History practice test was rather low, but 1.) My history class never got past the 1960's and anything before 1865 was taught two years ago, and 2.) so far, after reading a chapter, I've been able to successfully answer all of the relevant questions in the next practice test. As to why these three: well, I tried the online questions at collegeboard.com and history seemed to be my strongpoint. However, the World History test is not offered in October or November, so I decided to take Literature instead. Math II is required, I believe. </p>

<p>Thanks</p>

10

<p>World History's not offered in October? I thought you could just take your pick of any of them once you got there. Like I signed up for Math I and ended up taking Math II because it was harder, etc. By the way your interests and scores look a whole lot like mine. I'll be going ED in the fall as well. I think your school can hurt, but I think it can also help. It can hurt in that you weren't able to do this and that, and so you didn't. I think it can help though, if that was the case, and you weren't able to do other stuff, but went above and beyond, took the initiative and did other stuff (like what you did at the local community college). My suggestion is that you plan on taking a couple AP tests and just study really hard, because just because your school doesn't offer AP doesn't mean you can't take the test. That would look really good, I think, if you didn't have the class, but went beyond and took the test (that's what I did my Junior year--I'll see how it pans out!)</p>

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<p>And I don't think Math II is required by Princeton, unless you apply to the engineering program, in which case either math I or II is strongly recommended (with a science test)</p>

12

<p>Wow, another HOBY ite :D!
Nice to see some HOBYites here!
I also attneded HOBY and went off to WLC.</p>

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<p>jon314, </p>

<p>That's a good idea (taking the APs without the course). I looked around, but it seems to me that the APs are only offered in May. Is there any way to request another test date? If not, does anyone know of something equivalent that I could take between now and November 1? Thanks a lot</p>

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<p>zzibuya,</p>

<p>Yeah, I went to the Central Florida HOBY, but wasn't selected for WLC (conspiracy?). Congratulations though</p>

15

<p>No, there's no way you can take AP tests before the May test date (it's much different than the standard SAT/ACT, etc.). However, Princeton (and most other schools) do ask you which tests you have taken and plan on taking. So you can plan on taking the ones you think you'll be most ready for. But be careful...if you put down 6 AP tests you haven't taken yet (and you haven't taken any period), it may look like you're just trying to talk it up, whether or not you are serious about actually taking the test. But be honest, and talk to your guidance counselor about it before you say you will (maybe they can put something that will back up what you say about taking the tests). I guess what i mean is that you need to show Princeton that you really are planning on going above and beyond to take these tests. Does that make sense?</p>

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<p>Yeah, that sounds like a good plan. Thanks</p>

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<p>By the way,I don't know if it matters or not but I've only taken the SAT twice and the first time was in my Sophomore year. I heard that the number of times that you've taken the test plays a part in the admissions decision.</p>

18

<p>it would be fine as long as you raise up the score.
I have taken twice already myself and.. i totally screwed up the second one .. so retaking this Sept.</p>

19

<p>I was also wondering if anyone had any suggestions for improving my application. -Thanks</p>

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<p>and... move it to the front - engage</p>