<p>is considering applying -All is ok with his grades-
ECs at this time are not outstanding. HOW important are the Ecs as compared with grades
essay and teacher recommendation?
Also what determines an invite for a personal interview? </p>
<p>I'm new here. Thanks very much
marsha</p>
<p>Hi Marsha! Welcome to CC! In order to be a competitive applicant for Princeton, your son needs to be getting top grades in the most rigorous classes available to him. As far as ECs are concerned, your son needs to be involved in a few activities that he truly enjoys and to have some leadership positions within those clubs/activities. Both are equally important in my opinion. As far as the interview is concerned, Princeton tries to interview every applicant. The interviews are given by alumni in your area and have very little bearing on acceptance.</p>
<p>mathgirl21 pretty much covered everything i had to say.</p>
<p>I can only add that Princeton looks for an individual with all around excellence, not just on academics or ECs. Both are given almost, if not, equal weight. It’s important to show Princeton who your son is as an individual and not just as a student. </p>
<p>I would also add that spearheading a community project can be a good boost to an EC profile.</p>
<p>Many of the people here seem to have been nationally or at least state recognized in some EC or another, although many of the students from “feeder” schools were involved in typical, school-level organizations like student government.</p>
<p>From a parent of a current student with no national recognition.</p>
<p>Other than a reminder to take standardized tests in a timely fashion, I never quite know what kind of advice is being sought. I think a successful applicant has top grades in the hardest classes, strong but not necessarily perfect test scores, and then most importantly, an essay and letters of recommendation that make your child someone the faculty will want to teach and other students will want to be around - because of their intellectual curiosity, humor, kindness, etc. the essay and LOR should come to life and portray a student who has thrived in their home environment, made the best of adversity (this could be as simple as a scheduling conflict that the student resolved creatively) and perhaps reached outside their school to pursue academics. There is no formula, but I bet we would know one when we see the application. It’s someone you’d like to meet. When I read lists of accomplishments posted by kids who want to be “chanced” on this board, I seldom have any interest in the kid behind the list. In fact, I have to remind myself there IS a kid behind the list, because they come across as not so interesting list makers. </p>
<p>I think a kid should be himself, pursue his interests and then it becomes more evident the kind of college a student wants/needs. The application should make then point that this is an interesting, accomplished kid who needs to be at Princeton and who Princeton would love to have.</p>