<p>Princeton is my absolute dream school, I want a PhD in theoretical astrophysics from Princeton and love everything about it. Because interest to these schools isn't really considered, here are some specifics:</p>
<p>(Princeton recalculated)
UW GPA:
3.9
W GPA:
4.45</p>
<p>I received two B's first semester sophomore year and one B second semester sophomore year, but I got all A's in full IB from then on. Possible recommendations from college professors in addition to math & sci teacher rec's. </p>
<p>SAT:
Yet to take, expecting 2200+</p>
<p>COURSELOAD</p>
<p>-IB and AP test scores TBD</p>
<p>IB/AP (IB Full Diploma Candidate):
Junior Year
1. IB Eng HL
2. APUSH
3. IB Physics SL (HL not offered)
4. IB Psychology SL
5. IB Math HL (Calc AB)
-- Junior Year, might transfer into BC
-- Will be taking the Calc 3 test for community college courses at the end of this semester
6. ToK/PE
7. IB French 4 SL</p>
<br>
<p>One B all year, in French</p>
<br>
<p>Senior Year
1. IB Eng HL
2. IB HOTA HL (History of the Americas, APUSH is part one in Junior year for my school)
3. AP Chem or AP Environmental Sciences
4. IB Math HL (Calc BC)
5. ToK/none
6. IB Computer Science or another elective
7. German 1 or 2 (French Ind. Study if that's allowed by IB)</p>
<p>I didn't do so well (a couple of B's, a single C in H Alg 2 freshman year 1st semester, almost all honors, had to drop honors math in sophomore year due to a scheduling issue) in my Freshman 2nd semester and Sophomore 1st semester, but it was a growth experience and I could explain it if I had the opportunity. Plus I expect at most 1 B from the rest of the Junior and Senior years.</p>
<p>COLLEGE COURSES</p>
<p>Junior Year, Spring:
Linear Algebra -- MATH 60
General Physics with Laboratory -- PHYS 41
Advanced Introductory Astronomy -- ASTRO 51</p>
<p>Senior Year, Fall:
PHYS 101
ASTRO 101
Possibly two (definitely one) of the following: Quantum Physics, any other ASTRO course, or Vector Calculus. </p>
<p>Senior Year, Spring:
More advanced Astrophysics
More advanced Physics
More advanced Math </p>
<p>I'll basically have completed all the Astronomy courses which Pomona college offers, and may take some Physics and Math at Harvey Mudd as it's nearby.</p>
<p>Without testing out of any GE's, I'll be about 1 year away from a major in Physics with a minor in Astronomy.</p>
<p>RECOMMENDATIONS</p>
<p>I could get great recommendations from my counselor, math teacher and physics teachers.</p>
<p>E.C./SUBJECTIVE</p>
<ol>
<li>National Association of Rocketry Member and Founder/President of the NAR Chapter in my hometown.</li>
<li>NAR US Record holder for altitude in a specific diameter of rocket motor. </li>
<li>Participated in the following competitions and was captain/founder of the team that participated in them:
JPL Tissue Toss, NASA Space Colonization Challenge (individual), NASA Lunar Plant Growth Chamber Challenge, NASA RealWorld Challenge, USA Math Talent Search</li>
<li>NARTREK (Rocket certification by NAR) certification Gold (highest) level</li>
<li>Solar Cup (building boats and racing, engineering challenge by water district)</li>
<li>Robotics (teaching experience while in HS, competition in elementary and middle, founding member and have participated and won many times since 6th grade)</li>
<li>University of Michigan Math Competition</li>
<li>Science Olympiad -- Astronomy</li>
<li>Almost black belt in Shotokan Karate</li>
<li>Speech and Debate since beginning of highschool</li>
<li>Math and Science Club, Math Olympiad, Physics and Engineering Club since beginning of highschool.</li>
<li>CEO and Founder of International non-profit</li>
<li>Translated an astronomy paper into French</li>
<li>Presidential Award of Service</li>
<li>Congressional Silver Medal</li>
<li>Co-founder of Write to Africa club, went to Africa to exchange books and letters with natives, continue to do so through mail.</li>
</ol>
<p>POSSIBLE</p>
<ol>
<li>Neurological/socio-psychological research using EEG apparatuses and joint publication with a PhD at Pomona or Pitzer college. Could use as an ISEF/Siemmens project, as the goal is to help medical practitioners aid the mentally ill, those in emergency conditions in which there is no time to perform exact preemptive tests and the traumatically stressed.</li>
<li>Successfully petitioned for my school to transfer to block schedule.</li>
<li>Literature publication (one classical, one experimental, science fiction and possibly one or more poems and academic philosophical papers)</li>
<li>Art shown or competitions won (impressionistic, modern)</li>
<li>French publication on Astronomy</li>
<li>Discoverer of comet (will be named something like SOHO-61432 due to the telescope used to record the images I am scouring)</li>
<li>Internship at NASA Glenn Center</li>
<li>Merit Scholar, IB/AP Scholar, etc.</li>
<li>Translated novel into French.</li>
</ol>
<p>ESSAY/CHARACTER SUMMARY</p>
<p>My growth essay would be about how, when I broke my arm in 6th grade, the doctor who set my arm performed malpractice in that he not only slightly misshaped my arm, but also severed the nerve in it. My left arm -- I'm right-handed -- has a long, white scar and the back of my right leg has a long scar due to a nerve transplant performed too late. I went through many doctors and medical practices, none of them working until the surgery. I relearned how to walk, how to use my hand and, thanks only to the surgery, have partial feeling but no deaf numbness in my left hand and my right foot today. I would then talk about how this has gone to profoundly shape my character, which it truly has.</p>