<p>Personally, I would recommend explaining it in the application process/having a counselor tell the adcoms about it(I think you already intend on doing this right?). If there is a valid excuse or problem it will certainly soften the blow. </p>
<p>I think your best shot would be to do something that distinguishes yourself from the average applicant, the adcoms are willing to overlook some poor freshmen/sophomore grades to accept a truly talented and motivated individual, especially if you keep the grades up this year and next year, the upward trend will be good. The research things are a good idea, but if you could get into RSI that would be an incredible boost. If not try some internships. Show genuine interest in learning.</p>
<p>That said, you do have some things going for you like your legacy and your parent's career, they will help you to a certain extent, but they don't guarantee a shoe-in. However, with those and some solid activities, you should have an edge.</p>
<p>concerning kids of princeton professors:
yes, it is a HUGE hook. i go to high school in princeton, and we had nine people apply early decision to Princeton this year. Of them, seven were admitted, and five of those had parents teaching at Princeton. There's lots of gossip at my school about underqualified kids who get into Princeton because of their parents, and I guarantee you that there will be more who get in RD.</p>
<p>Look at it this way: Princeton pays for 1/3 tuition (at least for one of my friend's, it's 1/3...for some people it's full tuition depending on the professor's contract) of the children of their professors...no matter where they go. So, if they're already making this financial investment, it's obviously a much better investment for Princeton to just accept faculty kids to Princeton. </p>
<p>Usually, if you go to Princeton University, and you meet people that are from Princeton, they have a parent who is a professor.</p>
<p>They pay for 1/3? At Northwestern, they give you 90% off if you go there and your parent is a professor (undergrad or grad). I know some people who will be cashing in on that deal.</p>
<p>I don't go to HS in princeton, I go to HS in philadelphia(parent commutes). Princeton pays 40% of my tuition at any school, including princeton.</p>
<p>I know it's a long shot but would you be allowed to take AP chem? I'm certainly doubting it because of the D but you did have a circumstances. If you did well in AP it would help override the earlier grade.</p>
<p>Also I've read on cc posts by students who prepare for an AP without even having taken the AP course, and I'm shocked to see they often score quite well. Instead of worrying about your problem, it might give you a chance to actually do something about it. I'm wondering since you've already had chem, if you prepare on your own for the AP exam, I'd think if you got a 5 or even 4 that might be the best way to show Princeton you know the subject in spite of your grade. Just a thought, might not be possible or practical for you.</p>
<p>I've been debating whether to take AP bio or AP chem (in addition to 5 other APs next year). I chose bio, but I can change it easily. The AP chem teacher is the same as my honors teacher, he is notoriously harsh and apathetic. He still shows signs of disdain when I meet with him, and I'm very concerned that I will do poorly in ap chem because of the remaining tensions. </p>
<p>What about self studying or finding a summer ap chem class?</p>
<p>summer ap would be the equivalent of self studying-the test is in may so unless you hav an incredible memory, you'll be studying during the year (or in early May if you procrastinate like me). I dont think summer ap is even offered...</p>
<p>Given what you said it might be a disaster to take AP chem with that same teacher. The link didn't work for me but I assume that's the CMU pre-college program. Ideally I think that would be a good way to take it, esp if you can take another course too so you're not just stressing about chemistry. There are a number of posts on cc about this program, the course would be rigorous (harder than AP) and you'd get college credit for it (depends on the college of course), generally the comments are favorable and a lot of these kids end up going to CMU (I have a S at CMU so I've noticed the posts).</p>
<p>On the negative side it's kind of an extreme way to override a D, esp if you don't really like chemistry and even if you got an A there would still be no guarantee you'd get into Princeton.</p>
<p>You're right in there. As long as your gpa went up after the bad streak, you should get in relatively easy.</p>
<p>CAN SOMEONE HELP ME OUT, I WANT TO SEE THE VIDEO OF THE AMHERST ADMISSIONS THROWING OUT AN APPLICATION BECAUSE OF A D.(sorry for going off topic).</p>
<p>i want the video too!.....and i got a D as well in chem but i am retaking it through BYU as a self study course...I plan to actually stop procrastinating by summer so i can focus on just that. Is it true an upward trend in grades will make up for it? I had a 3.0 soph yr and now my gpa is at like 4.25 (progress report).</p>