<p>I've seen collegekid101's posts on some of my own threads, and he has a very stupid and distorted perspective on admissions to very selective to colleges. In short, he's full of $h!t. Despite what he'll have you believe, real people do get in. After all, I think we can all agree that Superman and Superwoman aren't real. </p>
<p>When looking at really selective colleges, you need to prepare the best application you can, without compromising yourself. You shouldn't change yourself or portray yourself differently just to get in because it won't work. Cover your bases. If you're a so-so academic, then show that you know the material through AP and SAT II tests. If you're an amazing academic, then you may not need those crazily high test scores, although they probably won't hurt either. Basically, if one are is weak, then cover it elsewhere on your application.</p>
<p>Now, on to your essays. I probably wouldn't write an essay about your situation because it might seem like you're trying to get the admissions commissioners to feel sorry for you. That wouldn't be the ideal emotion to have your essay evoke. Write something that is unique and displays your writing style. Be honest, open, and interesting.</p>
<p>And, if you look at accepted student's profiles, you'll note that not everyone was an amazing academic or had that 2400. In fact, hardly any of the accepted student's profiles fit that description. In addition, if you look at UPenn's incoming class profile for 2010, the acceptance rate for applicants with SAT scores for each section in the lower 700s isn't significantly lower than the acceptance rate for applicants with SAT scores for each section in the upper 700s. The same is true for lower 700s and upper 600s. There is more to admissions than collegekid101s monochromatic, simplistic view. Create your best application, apply, and pray. You'll be surprised who gets in and who doesn't.</p>
<p>Good luck with Princeton! I'll be needing the same luck with UPenn.</p>