<p>I'm a rising junior in High School, taking a rigorous coarse load yet still managing a 3.83 (out of 4, not weighted) at one of the top preparatory schools in the nation. I'm in the top 10 % of my class, and I've got my eyes on Princeton (my dad, grandpa, and so on went there). My test scores are pretty good (about 2000 on the PSAT if I remember correctly), but what can I do now to enhance my resume?</p>
<p>whoa this is way off topic^^</p>
<p>WOW, you got a 2000 on the PSAT?!?! I feel really dumb now. I only got in the 200's.</p>
<p>lol its really not that great, look at some of the stats of the people in other blogs, the ones who get 800. I agree, I feel dumb. Sorry if it's off topic but I'm new to this place and I was scared to start a new culdesac</p>
<p>CDS32090, I think you're referring to the SAT, not the PSAT. The SAT is the one you could have gotten a 2000 on--it would be 200 on the PSAT. Anyway, history is in your favor, with family who went there--that is a huge help, from what I've heard (it's called legacy, right?????). The main thing for anyone applying to Princeton is to develop some sort of hook--something that not only adds to your statistics (top of class, great SAT's, GPA, solid EC's, etc.), but also shows that while you're great on paper, you're also unique and that in some way you will add to Princeton (sometime that's being good at a particular sport, other times very good at dance or theater, and other times it's some sort of science research). That make sense? Anyone else agree/disagree with me?</p>
<p>I would agree that a hook is important, because LOTS of people have very similar scores statistics.</p>
<p>Yeah, I'd definately push the legacy aspect. I recently heard (unconfirmed) that Princeton admits 50% of its legacy applicants. Unfortunately, I don't have one. Speaking of the PSAT and the PLAN, do colleges consider these scores? I got a 213 PSAT (not that great, but I didn't study) and Princeton should know about it because I sent them one of my "recommendations" from the NMSQT qualifying round (or whatever the first round is called).</p>
<p>yeah thanks, the "hook" I've been trying to develop is community service, I worked with inner-city kids this summer and work every saturday renovating old houses or building playgrounds with one of my dad's business groups. My uncle is on some committee at Princeton and FYI he says directing yourself towards an unpopular major helps, too. For example, Slavic Languages has none, unlike History and Biology, which have too many. thanks</p>
<p>oh and btw i like adding a zero onto my PSAT score because it helps put it in better perspective with the real SAT, I'm not a complete idiot (I hope)</p>
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My uncle is on some committee at Princeton and FYI he says directing yourself towards an unpopular major helps, too. For example, Slavic Languages has none, unlike History and Biology, which have too many.
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<p>Unless that unpopular major is something you're truly interested in, it would be a rather poor ideas to try to turn it into your hook. A hook requires sustained commitment and achievement; you have to show that you really care about the subject. There's a reason why unpopular majors are unpopular: most people just aren't into them. Trying to fake an interest will either fail or make you miserable -- it's far better to focus on what you actually care about than try to game the system.</p>
<p>about the legacy aspect, what I heard was half of Princeton's class is legacy (so 50%)...again, that's unconfirmed (and I don't have legacy either).</p>
<p>i know, but there is chance that you're a slav refugee interested in learning the tongues of your native region in hopes of one day ending the tension that permeates everyday life there. Just a thought. Or you could always surpise them and become a history major.</p>
<p>Does anyone know about any "unpopular" majors?</p>
<p>Well I'm not too sure about that, the only example I heard was Slavic Languages. Although my cousin (Princeton class of 2008) said that the Foreign language department is a little weak, especially Italian. That's not for sure though, that's just what he told me.</p>
<p>thanks 10char</p>
<p>bump 456890</p>
<p>Not to beat the proverbial dead horse, but are there any other suggestions or comments?</p>