<p>Hey everyone,</p>
<p>Like a lot of you out there, I have applied Princeton Early Decision. I live in the Middle East and I am an Indian by origin. I was just curious to what my chances would be. I have fairly average scores:-</p>
<p>SAT I: Math 800, Critical Reading 700, Writing 630 (which is 1500 on old SAT) and I did it in only one attempt (which should hopefully count as a plus)
SAT II: Chemistry: 790, Math IIC: 780, Physics: 720 (again all on the same day, only 1 attempt each)
I would be applying for engineering (computers)</p>
<p>School Record: This is my biggest weakness. I have a couple of B+ in Grade 11, and a ranking of only top twenty percent (not top 10) in the last two years. Other than that, just A's and A+'s in my transcript and I believe a fairly flattering letter by the counselor.
Board Examination (conducted by Central Board of Secondary Education in India in Grade X: equivalent of O levels except way harder): 93.6% with a 100 in Maths.</p>
<p>Teacher Reccomendations: I believe my teacher reccomendations are pretty strong and my teachers have told me that they have noted me as the top few they have encountered in their career in one category (don't know which one). </p>
<p>Essays: Well, I think it is my best possible writing effort. One of them is pretty funny, one is poignant and the other just reflects my general outlook towards life. I would believe that this is the strongest part of my application.</p>
<p>Awards/Honours/Cocurriculars:
My major co-curricular is cricket. I have devoted significant time and effort to this sport. For you Americans, cricket is a team sport, second most-followed sport in the world actually. I have played for the country's national U-17 team in an international tournament. Although it isn't a sport at Princeton, playing international cricket is quite big.</p>
<p>Academic Honours:
University of New South Wales Gold Medal in Computer Studies
All-India National Cyber Olympiad: Top 10 Rank in the Gulf (state rank) for two consecutive years and overall rank of 14 in 2004.
Indian National Olympiad in Informatics: One of only 200 students out of 6400 to qualify for the second level and one of only 4 students outside India.
Four years consecutive distinctions at the University of Waterloo Mathematics Examinations.</p>
<p>Web-Designing:
Started the school website committee in school and was the student head. Designed and updated the school website for two years.</p>
<p>Creative Writing and Poetry:
I would hope that this along with my essays would make up for a poor writing score. More than 20 poems of mine have been published in local newspapers from age 8 onwards. Poem was semi-finalist in International Open Poetry. Was chosen as one of 33 poets from all across the world whose work would be recorded on a special poetry album set in 2001. Was invited to the International Society of Poets Convention and Symposium from March 1-3, 2002 at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. Essay commended by Royal Commonwealth Society in 2005. Active member of school newsletter editorial committee.</p>
<p>Quizzing:
Qualified for the All-Asia Bournvita Quiz Contest telecast on television thereby earning a tuition fee scholarship from school in front of an audience of 7000 people.</p>
<p>Service:
Fundraising for Round Square. Service at a cancer hospital in Shimla, India during vacations. Achieved the Duke of Edinburgh bronze and silver standards.</p>
<p>Leadership:
Democractically elected Prefect. Also elected Class President on 2 occassions. Troop leader. Director of many plays and short movies.</p>
<p>Public Speaking:
Member of school debating team and winner of inter-house extempore speech contest.</p>
<p>Minor visual arts and photography contributions as well along with other inter-house sports.</p>
<p>Sent as an exchange student for a month to Queensland, Australia as a reprentative of my school</p>
<p>Sorry for that long list.. doubt many of you'll would have even read it. If you did I appreciate it and would really appreciate your HONEST opinions.</p>
<p>I have a really stupid query but when you handed out your reco's to your teachers and counsellor, did you print on both sides of the paper (the way its usually done) or only one side? Sorry, but I can be pedantic at times!</p>
<p>Anyways sorry guys for making you read this one helluva long n borin post!</p>
<p>Cheers!</p>