Chances? Piano for 9 years, Composition, Latin, Architecture

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>What chance do I have of getting into Princeton?</p>

<p>Unfortunately I am a WASMM. The double M stands for Mormon male.</p>

<ul>
<li>ACADEMICS -</li>
</ul>

<p>GPA: W 3.96, UW don't know
- My school is one of the top schools in the nation (it's in Northern Virginia)
- Freshman: 3.7 ish, Sophomore 4.25, Junior 4.45, Senior 4.3 as of yet (should be 4.6...long story about that)
- Transferred freshman year, so 3.7 is a skewed representation - more difficult grading scale</p>

<p>Class Rank: 41/411 - current valedictorian has a 4.21 or so</p>

<p>APs: 10 Total
- 2 Sophomore: Latin: Literature (4), World History (5)
- 3 Junior: Latin: Vergil (4), US History (4), Chemistry (3)
- 5 Senior: Physics C: Mechanics, Computer Science AB, US Government, BC Calculus, English Language & Composition</p>

<p>SAT: superscore: 780 CR, 670 M, 750 W
- first time 700 CR, 670 M, 640 W
- second time 780 CR, 660 M, 750 W</p>

<p>SAT IIs: Chemistry (awful), Math II (probably bad), US History (>730 is my guess - easy)
- Just took them Saturday
- I plan to retake Math II and Chemistry and take Latin as well in December</p>

<p>Recommendations:
- outstanding one from Latin teacher
- very good - excellent one from Physics teacher</p>

<p>Awards:
- National Merit Commended Student
- AP Scholar with Distinction
- Perfect score on National Latin Exam in sophomore year
- Bausch & Lomb Honorary Science Scholarship/Award</p>

<p>Additional info:
- am taking Latin VI which is not offered at my school - teach the class part time, and the rest of the time do independent study, part of which involves writing a Latin poem in epic verse (dactylic hexameter)
- skipped Latin III
- am taking/accompanying Chamber Chorus, the highest level chorus, even though I've never done chorus before - only student accompanist ever in my school
- youngest boy in my grade (16 y.o.)</p>

<ul>
<li>EXTRACURRICULARS -</li>
</ul>

<p>Piano:
- taken for 9 years, many of which from a conservatory-level teacher
- practice from 5-15 hours a week (used to be consistently 14, but senior year is too busy)
- many awards, including winning State Concerto Competitions and performing with the Montgomery County Symphony Orchestra</p>

<p>Music Composition:
- compose classical music, especially baroque - fugues, concertos, etc.</p>

<p>Architectural Design:
- have sketched/designed/planned many architectural things, mainly classical architecture
- can write a lot about it on college essays, etc.</p>

<p>Boy Scouts:
- been one since I was 12
- am now a Life Scout; could get Eagle but I need a leadership position for another few months, and do my Eagle Project
- plenty of service hours here</p>

<p>Church service:
- many service hours spent and lots of experiences to relate - too many here on CC</p>

2

<p>I don't want to sound negative but it seems that you are too busy doing EC. This seems to be reflected in your academics.</p>

<p>My understanding is that Princeton, and schools like Princeton, are more interested in your academics. EC is supplementary. You don't need to do too many EC, just show passon and dedication.</p>

<p>Leadership is not that important. If you excel in your music then you can show your achievement. My daughter is in the process of applying and has been playing the piano and cello for more than 10 years. She has taken competence examinations (based on ABRMS) and has just completed the tests for the highest level. This is a form of leadership. Not too many people persist and excel up to that level.</p>

<p>Good luck.....</p>

3

<p>^ I'll have to disagree...
You've kept your grades up, and it looks like your SAT scores in range. At this point, you can never be too busy with your EC's! Your dedication to playing piano and designing architecture will be a great help in your application process. I personally believe that leadership plays a major factor... do you make your own path to achieve your goals, or are you just the type to follow others? commserver, I'm not too familiar with competence exams in music, but I don't think taking a test qualifies you as a leader. It shows dedication and achievement, but it's not really a form of leadership is it...?</p>

<p>I honestly can't chance you since I'm also in the process of applying, but just make sure they're able to clearly make out your interests, motivations, and aspirations. Don't sweat too much about it, and good luck!</p>

4

<p>princeton is pretty much for academics and leadership, it is how they view the world, i mean seriosuly, they take Woodrow Wilson as their role model, personally, I dont think princeton is looking for musicians, but being a musician that has excelled and taken an active role in changing the community with music will be something they look for</p>