Chances at Princeton, Please!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>I know there are no guarantees of admissions/denial, but I am interested to see what people think. Princeton has always been one of my dream schools, and I would appreciate honesty and suggestions. Thanks!</p>

<p>Personal
Gender: Female
Income: Low? Lower-Middle? Around 65K
First Generation Student
URM?: Latina
State: MO</p>

<p>My mom has moderate-severe Rheumatoid Arthritis. The medications cost our family a lot of money, and I've had to help out.</p>

<p>Intended Major:
Biochemistry</p>

<p>GPA UW: 3.9
GPA W: 4.69
Class Rank: 1/332</p>

<p>Subject Tests: Planning on taking Literature, U.S. History, and Math II
ACT: 32 (34E, 33R, 30M, 30S)</p>

<p>(I'm hoping to boost my ACT score.)</p>

<p>APs: 5 European History. Took four this spring.</p>

<p>9th Grade:
Honors Biology
Honors Algebra II
Gifted Honors English 9
Fashion Merchandising/Academic Lab (Graduation Requirements)
Debate I/ Advanced CC Debate
Honors World/American History
German II</p>

<p>10th Grade:
Honors Chemistry
Honors Geometry
Gifted Honors English 10
Health/Personal Finance (Graduation Requirements)
Advanced CC Debate
AP Euro
Honors CC German III</p>

<p>11th Grade:
AP Chemistry
AP Statistics
Gifted Honors English 11
Personal Fitness (Graduation Requirement)
AP Psychology
AP United States History
Honors CC German IV</p>

<p>12th Grade Anticipated:
AP Biology
AP Environmental
AP/CC Calc (BC? Our school does not specify)
Gifted Honors English 12
AP Art History (Taking this class through a college, our school does not offer AP Arts)
AP Government
AP German V</p>

<p>I saved my money so I can take a physics class outside of school. </p>

<p>I didn't take Honors Precalc my junior year. My schedule didn't work out, so I had to take another AP math instead. I got permission from my counselors to bypass HPC to APC because of my ability in math.</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Softball (9-12), Team Captain
Speech and Debate (9-12) LD and OO Captain
German Club (9-12) President
Future Problem Solving (9-12)
About Better Choices (11-12) Teen Health Consultant
Freshman Mentoring (11-12) Crew Leader
STAND (11-12) Founder
NHS (11-12)
Volunteer at a local hospital
Tutoring “at risk” students
On the side I also play the violin, but not for orch.</p>

<p>Awards/More Info:
USSSA All-State Softball 2006, 5th Place NSA Nationals 2008, MVP at a few tournaments, many tournament placement trophies (too many to list)
Speech and Debate: National Qualifier, many placements at different tournaments in LD and OO (too many to list), Best on team award for speech
Future Problem Solving: State Qualifier 10, 11. 2nd Place State Bowl 09
ABC: Honorable Mentor Award</p>

<p>Honor/Citizenship Roll
History MVP Departmental Award</p>

<p>Summer Stuff:
Accepted into and attending a leadership conference
Accepted into WashU's Summer Scholars, though, I may not be able to attend because of the cost.
More Working/Volunteering
Summer Softball
This summer, I'm probably going to do lab work at WashU and/or independent research.</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Hollister (11-12)</p>

<p>Volunteer Hours:
Around 200? I hope to rack up more this summer.</p>

<p>Other Interesting Stuff:
Writing my own syllabus for AP Lit Independent Study Gifted English which will be used in the future.
For the college counselor, I'm writing a “How to Survive HS successfully” info pamphlet. </p>

<p>I really want to try to focus on my struggles. I went through a lot, (especially my junior year) and I want to highlight my perseverance without sounding too whiny.</p>

2

<p>57 views? :confused: No help?</p>

3

<p>While you’re absolutely right that there are no guarantees, you look like you have a solid chance, particularly hooked. Only thing that catches my eye is tests–I don’t know whereabouts a 32 is on the ACT (I only took the SAT) but I know you’ll need SAT Subject Tests regardless–for a biochemistry major I’d recommend Chemistry (particularly cause it’s easy).</p>

4

<p>In everywhere, first generation URM valedictorian debater.</p>

5

<p>LOL i agree with black law. Please apply to HYPSM and rack up the letterhead. No but srsly, you have a chance. Try to boost ACT up, definitely make sure you do bc calc, get more hours of community service, and thats about it. Honestly a not ridiulously wealthy first generation URM FEMALE with family disabilities who is able to excel in academics, sports, and other ECs… You almost sound like a ■■■■■.</p>

6

<p>I swear I’m not a ■■■■■! But thanks for the comments. How much more community service do you think I’ll need?</p>

7

<p>Volunteer hours don’t really mean anything. Adcoms know kids just use them to boost their chances. I got in with maybe 20 volunteer hours total. Yes, twenty. </p>

<p>Have you been in touch with the softball coach at Princeton? That’s always a good sign.</p>

8

<p>I’ve tried, but I’m not sure where to find the contact information. Should I try calling the admissions office for information?</p>

9

<p>[PRINCETON</a> SOFTBALL PROSPECT QUESTIONNAIRE](<a href=“http://www.princetonrecruits.com/recruit_admin/questionnaires/questionnaire.php?id=30]PRINCETON”>http://www.princetonrecruits.com/recruit_admin/questionnaires/questionnaire.php?id=30)</p>

10

<p>It’s not necessarily essential to have more community service hours, but having more volunteer and work experience helps not only for college but in the long run.</p>

11

<p>Thank you, ray121988!</p>

<p>I understand what you guys mean about service. I work and volunteer, so hopefully it’ll help me a little. :)</p>

<p>Is there anything I can do to improve my application? I feel like my EC’s have been REALLY meaningful to me over the past 3 years, but I don’t think they’re outstanding. Like, everything I’ve done has been incredibly important to me, but I don’t feel like they will appear important in the admissions process. Any ideas?</p>

12

<p>For a typical applicant, these qualifications will be considered pretty average. However, given your minority, lower-income, first-generation background, you will almost surely be admitted.</p>

13

<p>Do I highlight my minority, lower-income, first generation status through my essays? And ask the people who write my rec letters to give some legitimacy to what I’ve been through?</p>