Chances [INTL] esp. Princeton

Chance Me / Match Me!
1

<p>Hey mates.</p>

<p>I'm a white male from Germany and just want to know whether or not the Ivy League is possible.</p>

<p>I consider to study economics and work in a high-risk-high-profit job afterwards. However, there are other opportunities (Engeneering/Biology) as well.</p>

<p>I have not taken the SAT yet - thus I can tell you converted grades (the German school system is quite different) and ECs only.</p>

<p>However, as I'm quite strong in maths, biology and physics - these sections should not be a problem. My English is not too bad, either.</p>

<p>What I want to know: Is there a reasonable probability to get into one of the most selective colleges in the US ? Especially Princeton has crossed my mind (ED ?). If there is a chance - what scores should I achieve? Is there a plan B I should consider (other, less selective universities with similar reputation)?</p>

<p>So my (guessed) grades at the end of this year:
German: A- / B+
Social Sciences: A</p>

<p>English: A / A- (major)
French: C</p>

<p>Physics: A
Biology: A (major)
Maths: A / A-</p>

<p>Religion: A-
Arts: A
Sports: A-</p>

<p>Average in Germany is around C, major means a course, which is more competitive (you have 5 instead of 3 hours / week and the standarts are higher).</p>

<p>Furthermore, I did my qualification in Latin (B-).</p>

<p>I'm somewhere between top 5 and top 10 % in my class (120 students).</p>

<p>(Latin: 6 years, French: 4 years (not fluent), English: 6 years by now, 7 years after my Abitur (senior certificate))</p>

<p>EC's
I'm responsible for the website of my hs.
I play tennis (~ 15 hours / week in summer)
I play eguitar (Quite a while now - 4 years, I think)
I'm youth executive (don't know a fitting english term, I care for the youths) in my tennis club.
I'm quite good in Alpine Skiing, though I can do it only once a year for 2 weeks or so, badminton and street hockey.</p>

<p>Furthermore I did in the past:
I've been paramedic in my school for a year.
I've been captain of the club's tennis team for 2 years.
I ran a relay marathon as part of the school's team.
I did an internship in a hotel (2 weeks).
I've played in the school orchestra for 3 years.
I've played trombone for 4 years (not that I would be able play it anymore ;) )
I've played classic guitar for 5 or 6 years before starting with eguitar.
I've been class representative for 1 1/2 years.</p>

<p>Awards:
Unfortunately only one:
I was honored by the City of Bonn (former capital of Germany) for my social engagement in and outside the school.</p>

<p>Other stuff:
-4 weeks UK (exchange)
-9 days UK (exchange with class)
-4 weeks Australia (exchange)</p>

<p>My parents will be able to come up for tuition and other costs only if absolutely necessary. Princeton claims to evaluate applications without considering financial aid - is this only a myth ?</p>

<p>So again - should I consider an application in the US (an thus pushing for SAT etc.) ? Or is there absolutely no chance for admission in HYPDMS ?</p>

2

<p>Sry, somehow I cannot edit my posting:</p>

<p>2 more things:
We have to write a research paper at our school. Mine is about famous mathematicians and in English and recieved an exceptional evaluation.
Should I hand it in ? Does it help ?</p>

<p>2nd, I will receive terrific reviews (as there are some teachers who really like me and as I would the first to only apply for Ivy League)</p>

3

<p>Not being in top 5% will hurt you a bit. I'm similarly dismayed at the C. </p>

<p>The website, random "City of Bonn" award, and local extracurricular achievements seem very nice, but I'm afraid a lot of other international students with similar credentials might be turned away (Princeton, as an American school, still tends to take more American students).</p>

<p>You have a fair chance. I'm hesitant to say a good chance without knowing your test scores (for people in the 5-10% range it's usually anywhere from 1900-2400/2400 on the SAT - a large range).</p>

<p>Demonstrating your relative fluency in English will be important. The SAT/ACT or TOEFFL will help you with that.</p>

4

<p>Thank you very much !</p>

<p>At least this gives me the confidence to try it out and take alt the required tests.</p>

<p>It's possible that I am in the top 5 % - I'm just not sure about it.</p>

<p>Even found another two ECs.</p>

<p>+Was founder of a "GreenTeam" (connected to Greenpeace)
+Was participant of a discussion with politicians and other experts (IWF - John Makumbe, if anybody knows him) concerning a European partnership with Africa.</p>

<p>It's amazing what you find if you think about your life long enough.</p>

<p>What about the financial aid topic ? And are there any other suggestions of colleges which give me the opportunity to get a foot into the ibanking ?</p>

5

<p>from what I've learned in my german class, those grades are quite good (i assume most of them are 1's or 2's? tell me if i'm wrong). what will really make you stand out is if you have done some kind of original scientific research. since you seem to be interested in biology, a good idea would be to try to find a professor and do research over the summer, and submit it to national and international science fairs (look up ISEF, International Science and Engineering Fair). that is, if you have the time and opportunity to do it.
Otherwise, your application looks decent.</p>

6

<p>Have a native English speaker edit your application and essays, if possible. This stuck out on a quick scan: you said, "I'm good in skiing" but we would pretty much always say, "I'm good AT skiing." Little things like that will stick out. If your writing is in perfect American
English--but is your original work--that can't hurt!</p>

7

<p>@tachobg:</p>

<p>Yeah they are 1s and 2s (if you don't count my 3 in French). Pretty good in Germany indeed (this is why I mentioned the avarage as I heard it would be different in the US).</p>

<p>The Biology thing is a great idea. Gonna push for it (not too much time left until the summer break. Thought about doing another internship but it's probably a bit too late for that.</p>

<p>@ filler:</p>

<p>I'll definitely do that. Normally I write BE (as it is preferred by our teachers) but it won't be too hard to adapt. If I submit an application, it must be perfect of course.</p>