Did my GPA annihilate my chance @ Princeton?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>I'm a prospective junior and Princeton is one of my top, top choices. I've visited campus and I LOVE IT. period. However my GPA, I feel, is the weakest part of my application. My guidance counselor is explaining how my sophomore year grades (B, B, B+, A-, A each trimester) in my 5 academic classes is because I had just moved to that school and had to adjust. Is this valid?</p>

<p>We have those graphs that plot GPA and SAT vs admission results. Our school's GPA is calculated only junior & senior year, so when I apply, it'll be just be junior year, which I predict to be about ~4.56/4.64. My 4.56 falls among those accepted and rejected, so I'm asking you guys to be kind enough to consider my GPA in context of my other stats.</p>

<p>So, anyways:</p>

<p>SAT I: 2380 (800M, 800W 12E, 780W)
SAT II: So far, I have 800 Math2, 800 BioE. I'll probably send in a third 800, hopefully.</p>

<p>GPA: By normal 4.0 A, 3.0 B I'll have a 3.8 flat. But my school doesn't do GPA like that and the only listed GPA will be that of my junior year. Also, I go to a really tough prep school.</p>

<p>Recs: Teachers' should be just okay (top 15-5%) and Counselor's should be great (top 5%). None of them will probably be absolutely amazing, though.</p>

<p>ECs, in order of importance:
Art (9-12) national awards, submitting portfolio and probably a supp. rec from teacher
Swimming (9-12) captain, state qualifier X3
Yearbook (11-12) should be editor in chief next year.
Charity Clubs (10-12) I should be pres. of one next year, and I've also founded and co-president another one.
Culture Club (10-12) Should be pres next year.</p>

<p>Awards: Nothing major, just NMSF, the art ones I mentioned above, and a few essay/language/math contests with 1st place to 10th place finishes.</p>

<p>Thanks!!</p>

2

<p>I don't think they really care about GPA. I think they pay more attention to your class rank / percentile more. As a result, they are able to see how you perform, in relationship and in comparison to your peers.</p>

3

<p>I'm surprised to hear that you think your teacher rec will be just OK.
What is going on there?
Do you have a class this semester where you can really stand out?</p>

4

<p>Princeton requires 3 SAT subject tests. So you will need a 3rd. Keep on working hard and remember "shoot for the moon and you'll land among the stars"- Princeton is a great goal but keep all the other great schools open as options as well.</p>

5

<p>The class I really stand out in is the class that my college counselor teaches. Unfortunately she can't write a teacher rec for me, but she will write about me in the counselor rec.</p>

<p>As for other ones, I do stand out but since I go to a rigorous prep school, the competition is tough. My teachers will write about my personal qualities but as far as my academic categories go I'm definitely in the "one of the best" categories. I can probably get up to the top 10% at max.... is that really really bad?</p>

<p>The GPA from junior year will definitely put me in the top 10%... cumulatively I'm only in the top 15-20%.</p>

6

<p>
[quote]
Princeton requires 3 SAT subject tests. So you will need a 3rd. Keep on working hard and remember "shoot for the moon and you'll land among the stars"- Princeton is a great goal but keep all the other great schools open as options as well.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>^ I like that quote a lot. Just wanted to let you know =]</p>

7

<p>If freshman year is your only problem, don't worry. They recalculate GPA's to disregard freshman year.</p>

<p>Besides, a 3.8 is not bad, especially if you go to a prep school.</p>

8

<p>without freshman year, my GPA drops. My grades were at an all time low during sophomore year. So without freshman year, I'd have a 3.79 by the time I apply.... thats horrible!</p>

9

<p>Gah, people here are so pretentious! A 3.79 is not bad, especially not at a "rigorous prep school". Stop worrying about your GPA, it's about wanting to and actually learning the material, not the GPA. That's what will get you into Princeton.</p>

10

<p>I hope not. Then that means there is no way I'm getting into Princeton, brah.</p>

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<p>Chair2,</p>

<p>Sorry, I misread the first post. I thought you'd said freshman instead of sophomore. My applogies.</p>

<p>I still think that if your grades were excellent as a junior and a senior, it shouldn't do too much damage. It sounds like your GPA is still reasonably high, and do remember that GPA and grades aren't everything. If you find a way to impress them with your non-academic life (volunteering, clubs, etc.) then your GPA will be easily forgiven. In fact, it's probably easier to get in with outstanding EC's and a less than stellar GPA than it is to get in with a 4.0 and terrible EC's.</p>

<p>Does that help you at all?</p>

12

<p>Yes, insomniac, it's encouraging and helpful. thanks!!</p>

<p>Also, would my art be a hook? I don't want to sound cocky but I'm really good at it and my portfolio has some really interesting pieces (chocolate syrup painting! lol). I've placed at national contests and when I mean published, I mean my art was featured in a small part of a nationally-circulating magazine as part of the contest prize.</p>

<p>Lastly, my counselor is writing about my adjustment issues I had when I moved sophomore year. Would that sort of "excuse" my grades? I know that it won't make up for them but will that make them focus more on my junior year & senior mid-year grades?</p>

13

<p>I think anything can be a "hook" really. It just has to be something that really shows who you are and what your passion is, so if art is your passion, then by all means make it your hook. It will most definitely help you.</p>

<p>As for the grades, your counselor writing about your grades will definitely help, but I don't think that it is neccessarily needed. Your grades do not need "excused," and I'm sure you'll do fine, especially if the adcom notices the upward trend on your transcript. Don't worry too much and good luck. :)</p>

14

<p>Your ECs are a tiny bit subpar for HYP, but your GPA (don't worry about your sophomore year - they'll understand you were adjusting) and SAT scores are pretty killer. Triple 800 on SAT Subjects will boost you (by the way, which other subject are you so confident about getting an 800 in?).</p>

15

<p>Physics; I'm pretty good at that. But I really really really want an 800 in Lit or USH because I already have a science and math SAT 2. I guess I'll just have to study extra extra hard. Also, what makes you think my ECs are subpar? I'm not trying to be cocky, I'm just curious. Thanks!</p>

16

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<p>Athletic hook? State qualifier in an individual event or relay? Depending on your times you might want to contact the coach for help. Pull up some results and see how your times stack up.</p>

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<p>I'm not going to be recruited... those qualifying times were on relays. Besides even if I was fast enough I don't think I'd want to be recruited.</p>

18

<p><em>Bump</em> (I hate being the one to do this, but I'm still curious)</p>

19

<p>it annihilated your chances like a meteor annihilated the dinosaurs</p>

<p>which means it didn't hurt your chances because actually it was not a meteor that killed the dinos</p>

<p>i personally believe aliens visited the earth back then and zapped the dinosaurs with lasers</p>

20

<p>Princeton is a reach for virtually everyone. If you're not picked, it has little to do with you and everything to do with Princeton.</p>