Hi. I am preparing to enter my senior year of high school, and I have my heart immovablely set on Princeton. I want to be a mathematician, and I think that they are the best in the country to prepare me. I am, however, uncertain of my qualifications. I scored a 33 on my ACT, and have a cumulative GPA of 3.81 weighted, taking every AP/CP course offered by my school (not many). I founded and captained my school’s mathletes program last year, and have captained the science bowl team the last two years. I have won a medal at the Kern County Science Fair every year from 4th grade, excepting 6th, and in that process have earned four trips to the California State Science Fair, though my top award there has been honourable mention. I brought the science fair to my high school and run it singlehandedly. In the special academic accomplishment category, I took two years of Spanish in one year, I spent the summer before my junior year making a six hour commute by train and bus to audit differential equations and Calc 3 at Cal Poly Pomona, and have spent this summer working on a research problem for a math conference, though it does not look like I will solve it. Also, I have subbed in as the teacher for math classes when one math teacher at my school is out for some reason, running classes from algebra through Calc AB, my school’s highest offering. Athletically, I have run cross country three years, though the first two were cut short by injury. Last year, despite no talent, I tried out for and made the basketball team, and successfully warmed the bench, picking up league all-academic honours in the process. My freshman year, I was in the varsity golf team.
Overall, I know that this isn’t anywhere close to an outstanding resume, but do I have any shot of making Princeton with it?
Your stats look good, but Princeton is a reach for just about everyone.
Ivy admissions are pretty random – the only thing we know for sure is that if you don’t apply, you won’t get in.
Agree with above. Just one question. How would you sell yourself to them? I believe too that Ivy admissions are random, but not totally. You still have to stand out. What can you bring to Princeton Math that no one has before? Why should they be knocking down your door to beg you to come to their school? If you have solid answers to those questions, I feel you have a good shot.
Just out of curiousity, if you have you heart “immovably” set on Princeton, then does it really matter whether you have a shot? You will still go for it. Nonetheless, your grades and test scores are good enough, but your extracurriculars might not be enough. Really strive to make an impact this year with those, especially those involving math. Also, I agree with codemachine. If you can successfully answer those questions, you will have a chance. Please chance me back! http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1796275-what-do-you-think-of-my-chances-are-at-these-universities.html#latest Good Luck!
You have a shot, yes- write good essays, get good recs, and apply SCEA to boost your chances. Good luck!
Chance me back please:
http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/discussion/comment/18676261#Comment_18676261