Chance a junior for Princeton SCEA?

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hi, this is my first post so forgive me if its a little long...</p>

<p>I have always wanted to go to Princeton but after lurking around on CC, I've realized that I'm the stereotypical high stats no-hook kid that often has difficulty getting into tippy-top schools and this is making me a little paranoid :(</p>

<p>First the standard stuff:
Sat- 2380 (780 CR) Sat 2- 800,800,800 chem, bio, math 2
GPA: 4.0 unweighted (straight A's) + most rigorous course load possible
Rank: School does not rank but if it did, probably top 3
School: rigorous school that often sends at least 1 unhooked kid to princeton every year (but my grade is very competitive; there's 15+ 2300+'s in my grade lol)
Demographic: Asian male</p>

<p>Now the ECs: I am only going to list my main ECs
Science Olympiad: by far my biggest EC 6th-12th grade, 2nd in states my soph and junior year, no official position but "de facto" team captain next year
Future Problem Solving: 9th-12th 3rd in global problem solving soph yr, 3rd in qualifying problem junior yr.
Columbia Science Honors program: 10th-12th semi selective program that runs throughout the school year
Volunteering at local hospital and chinese school 10th-12th - 200+ hours but nothing spectacular
- and that's about it! the rest are just participation clubs (cross country, math club, math honor society, red cross club etc)</p>

<p>Summer: NJ Gov School for Engineering and Tech (btw does living in NJ help or hurt my chances?)</p>

<p>Teacher Recs: great but not amazing
GC rec: very average (public school GC with too many kids..)
Essays: hopefully will be amazing</p>

<p>So yeah, please chance me for Princeton SCEA! Also, I would greatly appreciate it if you guys would comment on my ECs. I know that colleges hate laundry lists with no focus but do they also frown upon too few ECs as well? And if so, would my commitment and achievement in them outweigh the fact that I am lacking in leadership positions? My awards are decent but nothing spectacular like USAMO. Lastly, would it help if I emphasize in my essays the significance of Science Olympiad and talk about the non academic things such as fundraising and organizing team meetings,.. etc.</p>

<p>Thank you! :)</p>

2

<p>Your academics are fabulous, but your ECs are not extraordinary. Being an Asian from NJ hurts a lot because it is a very competitive area. High reach.</p>

3

<p>I think you have a pretty good chance, especially with EA. High test scores, GPA, rigor, placing well in ECs, ect. The only thing that might hurt is being an Asian male from NJ.</p>

<p>Just out of curiosity, why Princeton? Your application seems focused on the sciences, so I’m assuming that’s what you want to pursue in college.</p>

4

<p>And you should probably focus your essays on non-academic topics. Your stats are more than adequate in showing that you are academically competitive, so you should use your essays to help adcoms see you as more than the stereotypical asian.</p>

5

<p>I absolutely love the quiet atmosphere in Princeton (which is weird because most NJ kids become sick of NJ after living here our entire lives). I do want to pursue science out of interest but am still undecided if I want to pursue it as a career. Obviously, Princeton is an excellent school for science but its graduates also place very well in high finance positions due to the prestige factor, which broadens my potential career paths.</p>

6

<p>I have heard that Governors School applicants have great chances.</p>

7

<p>lol. i thought i had a chance until i read this. awkward. you’re a crazy good applicant…</p>

<p>chance me?
Chemical or bioengineering major
Female, half Vietnamese/French
Dual French and American citizen
Higher income bracket
4.85 cumulative GPA (4.0 unweighted)</p>

<h1>1 in class of 748</h1>

<p>ACT: predicted 33-35 based on practice tests
SAT 2s: will take Math 2, Physics, Bio, and Chem
Classes:
Freshman year: Algebra 2/trig, honors English, Honors World Geo, Biology, Spanish 3
Sophomore year: AP Chem, Honors English, Honors World History, Honors Precalculus, AP Spanish 4
Junior year: AP Biology, AP Physics, AP Calculus B/C, AP English Language, APUSH
Senior year: AP Environmental, AP Stats, AP Psychology, AP English Lit, AP Gov/Econ
ECs: Been dancing since I was 5, and am now principal dancer in a nonprofit preprofessional ballet company
Academy for the Performing Arts Ballet Ensemble at school
Part of top jazz/lyrical performing group at my dance studio
Model UN, top ranked team in America, may be Secretary General or Chief of Staff next year
Science Olympiad captain
Been involved with the organization Reach Out Students for Education which funds the education of Ugandan orphans since I was in elementary school, and carried it with me to high school and founded it there, I am responsible for sending 70-80 orphans to school every year
National Honor Society
Awards: Tower Award nominations at school: English, Spanish, Physical Science
Platinum (top) awards, solo and group at Dance Masters of America competition
Double platinum (top awards), group, at Showstopper dance competition
Best Delegate at MUN conferences: Edison High School, UCLA
Outstanding Awards at MUN conferences: UC Berkeley, UCLA, Santa Margarita Catholic High school, High Tech High School
Youth America Grand Prix Semifinalist, 4 years
Music Center Spotlight Awards, 4 years
Award of Excellence at Reflections Art competition, state
Summers:
Ballet West Academy Summer Intensive program (4 weeks at University of Utah), 1 summer
Worked as a teacher’s aide for the AP Chemistry prep class at my school, 1 summer
this summer: research in oncology lab</p>

8

<p>hmm, i would say you have a decent shot; you have great stats, good leadership, and a slightly unique EC (dance) which may help you stand out a little</p>

9

<p>Whale12</p>

<p>My friends and I had very similar numbers (and attended an elite HS) and we all got rejected or waitlisted from Princeton (SCEA or RD).</p>

<p>Princeton SCEA is a high reach for you.
(It is Princeton and you are an Asian male!)</p>

10

<p>You’re as qualified as anyone. Can’t wait the day “being an Asian male” will have nothing to do with college admissions in America.</p>

11

<p>yeah, AA sucks… :(</p>

<p>on a related note, I know that California colleges are race-blind but does that mean ALL colleges in California or just the publics (pretty much, is cal tech race blind?)</p>

12

<p>Caltech is race-blind.</p>

13

<p>Just the publics.</p>

14

<p>They’re both right. In California all public schools are race blind. But keep in mind that they don’t give financial aid to OOS students, so unless you have 55k/year sitting around I wouldn’t recommend them. Also, if you DO have 55k/year sitting around, you could get a much more personalized, higher quality education at a private school for the money. </p>

<p>Private schools in CA are free to do what they want. Caltech has chosen to be race blind.</p>

15

<p>thanks for the replies! </p>

<p>anybody else have any input on my chances?</p>

16

<p>As an asian, I feel your pain.</p>

<p>Doesn’t hurt to give it a shot, but don’t bet on it.</p>

17

<p>OP I honestly think you have a better shot than most people that post chance threads, but I may be biased as I’m an asian male myself… Just know that there are people who get in with stats lesser than yours, and at this point it’s more of a guessing game…</p>