<h2>Should I even apply? I know my chances aren't great.</h2>
<p>SAT: <-- :(
780M
660CR
650W
780 Math iic
710 Physics
670 US history</p>
<p>GPA:
4.0 unweighted (rank 1 of 452)
4.5-4.6 weighted (rank 17 of 452)</p>
<p>AP:
Junior:
Calc BC (probably 5)
US history (probably 4 or 5)</p>
<p>Senior:
Stats
Physics (calc based) E&M + Mechanics
Language and comp
Psychology</p>
<p>I would have more APs but I took Project Lead the Way (engineering) courses instead: Intro to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, Digital Electronics. Also, my senior year, I wanted to take Automotive Technology at a nearby tech school for high school kids. That will take up half my schedule (the other half are the AP's above).</p>
<p>EC:
In School:
Marching Band 9-12
Concert Band 9-12
NHS 11-12
Engineering Club (FIRST Robotics) <em>VP senior year</em> 9-12</p>
<p>Out of School:
part time job at McDonalds
habitat for humanity volunteer
used to volunteer at soup kitchen and assisted living retirement home</p>
<h2>ACE Mentor Program (working with architects/engineers/construction managers) </h2>
<p>Thanks for the feedback! Also, if you have any ideas for a good reach school for me, please suggest it. I'm looking for a strong engineering program and a school somewhat close (6 hours) from Maryland.</p>
<p>I think if he can get his SAT I scores up a little bit, he may have a shot (granted, not much more of a shot than the average Princeton applicant, but still a shot, which is better than most high school students in the country). It is true, though, that you don’t have anything that separates you from the crowd of other applicants, which will make it difficult. You’ll need to have excellent essays that really voice who you are and why Princeton should choose you. </p>
<p>Just curious: what is the ACE Mentor Program? That seems like something that could help make your application more unique.</p>
<p>Peytocline:
About ACE–I went to bechtel (engineering firm) on wednesdays to talk to engineers. In a group of about 10 people we worked on a hypothetical project with the help of the engineers. My group’s project was to design a hydroelectric dam that would be built in West Virginia. Here is the organization’s website: [ACE</a> Mentor Program](<a href=“http://www.acementor.org/]ACE”>http://www.acementor.org/)</p>
<p>Thanks for the responses by the way. They are about what I expected (unfortunately). I’m still looking for a good reach to apply to but it sounds like Princeton might be too much of a reach.</p>
<p>It depends on the context. If you’re a black kid in inner-city baltimore, good chances. White kid at well-off suburban public in northern virginia? Bad chances.</p>
<p>Princeton is a long shot for you so yes, Duke is a more reasonable reach. But if you really want to go to Princeton then you should apply because none of us really knows what the outcome will be.</p>
<p>If it isn’t the case that you really want to go to Princeton and you are just trying to fill out your list of colleges to apply to then Duke might be a good substitution.</p>