<p>@cptofthehouse @mom2collegekids @AnnieBeats I want to retake the SAT not for merit money but because I know I can really improve my score in that section for admissions in general. I know what I did wrong and can very easily fix it. Also, as I mentioned before, Princeton would give my family excellent aid (according to the net price calculator). Cornell is another story.</p>
<p>OP, anything above 2250 looks the same because it’s a difference of a few questions. A 2300 or even a 2350 is not going to be what gets you into your school of choice. After 2250, it’s all the same because you’re in the 99th percentile </p>
<p>Since you don’t know exactly what your family income/ assets are, make sure you have some schools you know you and your family will be able to afford and that you know will accept you. The 2015 forms will require your parents’ 1040 AGI (with certain things like 401k, HSA, and other such Contributions added back in) and will also include the market value of your family home, If either parent owns a business, a lot of deductions and depreciations are often added back to income. You should sit with your parents when running the NPCs and EFCs or send them the links and ask them to see what they get with the numbers they use. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone who answered. Also on the topic of the college process, how helpful could an alumni recommendation be at Princeton? @cptofthehouse @mom2collegekids</p>
<p>For merit money, as a girl, definitely consider the engineering schools even if Princeton is affordable (since you might not get in):
Olin, WPI, RPI, Stevens (as well as the schools that @cptofthehouse suggested). You’d have a better shot at MIT and Caltech as well.</p>
<p>An alumni recommendation won’t make any difference (unless they contributed a building and you are related).</p>
<p>@"Erin’s Dad" my calc teacher went to Princeton, so he can comment on my abilities in the classroom and potential to succeed there</p>
<p>@Erin’s Dad</p>
<p>Your calculus teacher should be writing your recommendation based on your classroom performance with him, and how he sees you as a student. Do you expect him to include “oh by the way, I am a Princeton alum” in your letter of reference? To be honest, that would be out of place.</p>
<p>@thumper1 no, not like that at all. I mean a separate, Princeton-specific recommendation if possible. Is that worthwhile or just kind of dumb?</p>
<p>Your math teacher should write about your merits as a student. His being an alum of Princeton will not really net you anything…unless he has donated a building there.</p>
<p>My guess is your math teacher KNOWS how to write his letter of recommendation for a Princeton wannabe. Leave that up to him.</p>
<p>The Ivies don’t really give out merit aid - you can basically expect to pay full freight at the $180K plus level. To get merit aid you will have to aim lower. You might get an unsubsidized loan and if you are lucky a small amount of grant aid.</p>
<p>Your math teacher should write about your merits as a student. His being an alum of Princeton will not really net you anything…unless he has donated a building there.</p>
<p>I think it’s wonderful that you have a Princeton alum as a teacher who is writing a rec for you. Yes, that could be a tipping point. Not a “hook” but something of note, but of how much weight,hard to say. Also, that your teacher is a Princeton alum hopefully means he knows how to write a Princeton specific rec that would have the most impact. Those things, yes, can make a difference maybe. Get a little bit more attention. There is a teacher at my son’s school who is a Notre Dame alum and the kids he writes recs for, mentors do seem to have a bit more success in acceptance to ND. He is an active alum, and lets them know he is. But a slam dunk if he writes the rec,…absolutely not. </p>
<p>Thanks for the input everyone</p>
<p>Wow you have great scores! I would expect you to get into the schools you want but I’m under the impression that thousands of other impressive hopefuls are also seeking admission. I hope you’ll update us on May 1 when you’ve decided which school you’ll attend. It would be nice to read “the rest of the story” for once. Good luck!</p>