Any chance?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>4.0 GPA UW
3 AP courses junior year, 5 expected senior year
2000 SAT I (720 CR, 680 M, 600 W)--am re-taking of course
760 SAT II Chem
EC:
Mock Trials (alternate, but expect to be captain next year)
Tennis
Boy Scouts (should be Eagle by fall)
Youth group core team member
music composition
tutoring
NLE gold or silver medalist all years since 7th grade
Volunteer local nature and science center
part-time job in doctor's office
expect to be National Hispanic Recognition Scholar
expect to be in top 10% of class </p>

<p>Will need f/a</p>

2

<p>unless you bring your sat score up to at least 2100s, i don’t think you have a good chance…</p>

3

<p>Without a competitive hook (national level academic competitions/arts/athletics), you’re going to need a 2300+ and a few more SAT2s to be considered. You’re by no means unique with the information you’ve presented, and your academics are below average for Princeton admits.</p>

<p>Furthermore, GPA is worthless as a comparison without some knowledge of your high school (top tier private? top tier public? size? reputation?)</p>

4

<p>Pros:
-You’re a URM.
-Your SAT IIs, GPA and rank are all competitive.</p>

<p>Cons:
-Low SAT scores; retake in the beginning of senior year, and try to shoot for +2150, though this is by no means a cut-off.
-Most of your ECs (Boy Scouts, Tennis, Mock Trials, tutoring, etc.) are commonly listed on Princeton applications, so you won’t set yourself apart. The volunteering and job sound interesting though.</p>

<p>It isn’t possible to gauge your “chance” at admission given this information, but I will say that it’s within your reach if you distinguish yourself in the essays and short-response answers.</p>

5

<p>Took the ACTs and results are as follows:
English 36
Reading 36
Math 32
Science 30
Combined English/Writing 33 (9 on essay)</p>

<p>Can I send only these and not SATs? How would that be seen?</p>

6

<p>You can send in your ACT scores only, according to Princeton’s Academic Testing Requirements page ([Princeton</a> University | Standardized Testing](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/standardized_testing/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/standardized_testing/)). This is perfectly acceptable, and I think your ACT scores ARE quite a bit better than your SATs. You do still have to write SATII Subject Tests though…</p>

<p>Also, I’ll point out that it’s irrelevant to the admissions process whether you need Financial Aid or not: Princeton is fully need-blind to all applicants.</p>

7

<p>You’ve only taken Chemistry… Don’t you need one more?</p>

8

<p>What is the ACT composite? That is the score they look at. I assume it’s about a 33, which is better than the SAT. </p>

<p>It’s perfectly OK to send the ACT only. and as Chesterst. says–be sure to have a second SAT II.</p>

9

<p>ACT composite is 34.</p>

10

<p>My son just took US History SAT II and English Lit SAT II. He is planning on taking Math II and Bio in June.</p>

11

<p>ACT puts him in the ballpark. My son was admitted with 34 act, but also had a 2290 SAT. Make sure Eagle is done in time for applications. Any 4 year activities besides scouts? They like to see depth in EC’s.</p>

<p>Essays and recs are very important, and I think that’s what got my son admitted! (He’s not a URM).</p>

12

<p>Yes, piano and music composition, for many, many years.
Mock Trials all 4 years expected.
Youth Group all 4 years
Tennis all 4 years</p>

13

<p>Go for it! Good luck!</p>