<p>I have looked on the Princeton site for info on applying for fall 2007, but I have yet to find any information, am I just missing it, or have they not posted any information yet?</p>
<p>I didn't check, but they probably haven't posted it. Schools are just starting to update stuff for next year.</p>
<p>you're making me feel old. stop. :p</p>
<p>Me too!!! I feel like I just got in like 2 days ago (class of 2010 here).</p>
<p>Hey im also very strongly thinking of applying 2011 and was wondering if any of the 2010 or even the old school 2009 ers can give any words of wisdom...anything like how they maximized their chances, stuff like that. thanks</p>
<p>Planning for the Ivy League is like planning for the big game: It takes years. Think of it has the World Cup or Olympics of academics. I started thinking about colleges after 6th grade. I never obsessed about them, but I always knew the grades in middle school may not count, but I'd at least be learning and gearing up for high school.</p>
<p>Now, the application is just as important. I used the common application, and I noticed that there really weren't spaces for student government or national honor society and the like. I wrote my essays around this time a year ago (I believe I started mid-July). I had to make sure these essays were well crafted and conveyed my abilities in a manner the committee found attractive. One of the essays I've actually kept as a souvenir through this "journey". I think you need to definitely have top grades and SAT scores. I didn't fit into the top 25%, but the upper 50% of the entire Princeton population... according to US NEWS anyway.</p>
<p>I think that extra ciriculars matter a lot. And I mean, a lot. I know many other ppl with better SAT scores (I had the top weighted average in my school, so that did help) and national merit scholar finalists who didn't get into HYP at all because they loaded up on "normal" stuff. I did a lot of stuff in high school, but in the end I only talked about my main interests in the essays and also showed what I had done in that particular field.</p>
<p>You need to have passion... passion for life.</p>
<p>^ That's some great general advice right there (I really like that "passion for life" thing :)). One thing I'd add about the extracurriculars: There are no "normal" extracurriculars. Sure, there are some activities that tend to be more common among applicants, but every single one of those applicants gets something different out of <insert activity="" here="">--so go ahead and tell'em! My extracurriculars were nothing out of the ordinary--some volunteering, a bit of music, etc--but how they were special to me was an essay only I could have written.</insert></p>
<p>hi, am also an applicant-to-be for the class of 2011. I like the advice y'all are giving us. In other words, We should just be the best at everything we do, and convey it in our essays. I am getting all of this.. thanks anyways, and it would be nice if more advice is given... Thanks anyways.</p>
<p>I think in the end if you truly do think you are a top candidate (this is no time to back away from your self confidence now!) apply to Harvard, Yale, and Princeton. Just do it. You'll get into at least one if you have top stats. Maybe they talk on the phone. Who knows. I just know that a few other kids got rejected by Yale and Princeton, in at Harvard. I got rejected from Harvard and Yale but still into Princeton. So, maybe they shuffle candidates that way. At the end of the day HYP degrees are gold.</p>
<p>There isn't any other advice. If you aren't an HYP candidate by now there is little more you can do. All systems must be go!</p>
<p>Also, you need to mesh with the interviewer really well. I messed up my Yale interview, but my H and P interview were great... I think it helped that my P interview was the last (I did it around late Feb, so maybe that was a good sign). My H interviewer offered me a career shadowing opportunity... although, I never took him up on that offer.</p>
<p>When the decisions come, make sure you know there is NOTHING else you could've done. I wouldn't have changed a thing about my high school career. In fact, I still feel really weird that I won't be seeing the 500 odd people in my class next year. Most of them are already leaving for college summer term.</p>
<p>In my research financial aid must matter, by the way. I didn't need it, but I was dumb enough to 'check the box'. I got into Stanford, didn't check finaid there. Got into Princeton, I think I remember unchecking finaid. For HY, I did... I even sent letters to them stating I would not need finaid. But, that's just from my adventure in the admissions process.</p>
<p>sky9073, very true. Essays must have voice!!!</p>
<p>I'd have to disagree with amnesia above. I don't think "checking the box" is dumb in the slightest. If you need financial aid, DON'T HESITATE TO APPLY FOR IT. It's important to first note that Princeton is supposed to make decisions independent of financial need. Even if they DON'T, it doesn't do you too much good to not apply for financial aid if you need it--not being able to attend because you can't afford would be pretty dismal, especially given the amazing quality of Princeton's financial aid. One of the most exciting aspects of my acceptance was the financial aid, in fact. Just seeing HOW affordable Princeton was was just amazing.
Interviews aren't too significant. My interviewer said, actually, that he didn't think any decisions in Princeton admissions history were changed because of an interview. Maybe an exaggeration, but not a big one. Just treat it as a conversation with any other older person.</p>
<p>I think the most important thing to do during this whole application process, however, is to RELAX. Just chilll, it isn't the end of the world if you don't get into a certain college. The fact that you're seriously considering Princeton probably means you have superb academic credentials, and will, without a doubt, end up somewhere excellent regardless of Princeton's decision. If you're admitted, fabulous congratulations excellent. If you're not, your life goes on. Enjoy your senior year--it's really the last you'll ever see of your high school self.</p>
<p>quirkily I agree with you completely about the financial aid issue. It is their duty to make sure that those people who are accepted for their committment, academic and other achievements, and personal merit are able to attend their college somehow, even if they don't give you a full-ride, they will make sure you leave with little or no debt. Even if this requires a work-study or something along those lines, HY and especially P will collaborate with you to make it happen within your schedule. </p>
<p>However, I must concur with amnesia that interviews are more important than some make it out to be, IF you have an interview. If you dont have an interview, don't worry about it because they cant hold it against you. Its just like getting a pass, no negative or positve evaluations. But if you DO go for an interview, the ASC scrutinizes very much through what your interviewer writes about you. One extremely important thing that they must see is that you ask good questions about the school, your interests within the school, and how you will fit in (not socially but study and activity-wise). Ask great questions about the school, and that is more than enough for your interview. They want to know that you are putting a TON of thought into applying and living, they expect you to start considering preparing to go already. If you get an interview, be sure it will go well or you may pay the price.</p>
<p>I want to emphasize a point amnesia made earlier. I have a tendency to minimize my achievements and talents, which may not seem like all that big a deal. However, it became a problem for me in the college application process. You really, really, REALLY need to exude confidence in your abilities and accomplishments - regarding what you put down on your college application AND regarding which schools you apply to. I didn't think I had the credentials to get into an Ivy, however, my dad urged me to at least apply to Princeton because of their amazing financial aid. So I conceded (reluctantly, I admit - I thought applying was pointless because OBVIOUSLY, I was not accomplished enough to get in) and applied to Pton as my "reach school". I ended up also applying to Duke, Wash U, Rice, UM, and UF...all schools I felt much more qualified to attend. Little did I know I was underestimating myself - I ended up getting into all six schools! Including Pton, with an amazing financial aid package (they actually gave me more money than all of the other 5 schools offered me)! I was blown away! Now I can only wonder what would have happened had I been confident and applied to more heavy-hitting schools. So if I can give any advice at all, read the profiles of those who were accepted these past years. Of course there are going to be the absolute geniuses, but then there are also people like me, who like to read the "Anyone Else Feeling Unworthy" forums. Don't underestimate and end up limiting yourself. Take a chance, you'll probably get into at least one.</p>
<p>taking down notes. really educating..........</p>
<p>Definitely do not hesitate when it comes to applying to colleges. What's the worst thing that could happen, you get denied? It only damages the ego for a short period of time anyway. You don't want to regret your choice of undergraduate education 15 years from now. Like they say, you gotta go big or go home. If money and time aren't limiting factors, I say apply as many places as your heart desires; regardless of what you percieve the school's reputation to be.</p>
<p>thanks rara if i may ask, u prolly applied early right? so do u think it helps the "people like me" as u called ureself to apply early.?</p>
<p>Yes.
There have been multiple posts on this board discussing the advantages of applying ED.</p>
<p>alchemist, no, I didn't apply early. But if you're really set on Pton, your chances are definitely better if you apply early.</p>
<p>Everyone here has given such great advice! thanks! Any more about stats/what helped you get in would be awesome!</p>
<p>I would say that if you have musical/artistic talent and are able to get to campus, DO AN ON-CAMPUS AUDITION! I really think that this was a factor in my acceptance. From what I understand, relatively few people audition and the school looks highly on those who do, perhaps because they show extra interest/initiative.</p>
<p>you want to know something? i got a 600 or a 640 on an sat II. i can't remember now though. i know a kid who tried 4 times to get above a 750 on an sat II and never got into any ivy league or top tier.</p>
<p>quicksilver, just apply. you seem like a cool kid and if you get in ill get to meet you. ;p</p>