<p>Yes, why not try it!? You do the right thing; if you didn't apply, you would never find out whether or not you had a chance. However, think about WHY you want to apply at Princeton. Don't just do it because you like the US - do it because you like Princeton! I met a Princeton alumna in Munich last week and talking to her made me realize that without the "right" reasons, it's a rather bad idea to apply. It's up to you what these "right" reasons are, but think about it.</p>
<p>Also, don't forget that Princeton is not comparable a German university in any way. There's so much more to do than just "filling out an application". Be aware of the fact that applying to a US university takes a much time and you will drive crazy, no matter if you apply or not. Take some time during your semester break and get familiar with the application process.</p>
<p>As others have already mentioned, start doing extracurriculars! They are so important, but DavidAlex has perfectly explained their need in his very first answer (thank you, by the way!). Without good extracurriculars, you will probably have no chance, especially as an international student. Remember you are competing with kids that have an awesome GPA, impressive extracurriculars and stellar recommendations and essays. Chances to get in are indeed very low, so try to get used to the idea of being rejected. It may seem senseless even bothering to apply, but as I have said, you won't find out if you can get in if you don't give it a try. No matter if you're accepted or not, you will love it, because the application process and especially your extracurriculars mean so much more than just working all day long. I'm also planning to apply and I have experienced that applying at a US university brings so many pleasures with it. Since all this has started, I got to know myself much better and I have met a lot of interesting people. My extracurriculars have opened many doors to me. I started being interested in things that I had never thought of and it seems like the whole world has only waited for me. Yesterday I got an acceptance letter for the International Olympiad in Informatics and hopefully I can also manage to be successful at the International Physics Olympiad (I have to prepare for it at foreign school though). In March I'm going to represent my school at a Foreign Language Competition and during school time I'm tutoring kids who are likely to fail. Last year I traveled to Poland to a simulation of the European Parliament and I'm also doing martial arts. I was elected vice-president of the student's council and my work there has inspired me a lot. School life without helping all those students with their concerns is not to be thought of. Through my work at the student's council I also got involved in political work regarding school at a regional and national level. All this is just a small insight of what I do now and I can tell you that it's by no means easy. I work approximately 60-70 hours per week, but it's great! I love what I'm doing, but if I hadn't bothered to apply to US universities, I would have never thought of doing all this! Think about what YOU want to do and whatever your interests are, try to find out how you can follow your passions! If you follow your passions, it will change your life very positively. Not only your life will change, but you will change too. Once you figured out how to balance everything the way you feel fine with it, you will be a much more happier person. And at this point you will realize that life is not about getting accepted at Princeton - it's about you and what you want to make out of it. What you make out of your life is by the way exactly what US universities are looking for, so you can more or less combine everything you want - your passions and your dream of studying at Princeton. I'm so excited what you are going to do and maybe you'll be as enthusiastic as I am. :-)</p>
<p>PS: Of course you are allowed to ask, that's what this board is for!</p>
<p>PPS: Which SAT Subject Tests did you (German) guys take? Did you also take APs?</p>
<p>the Princeton alumna you met wasn't Mrs. von Wangenheim, was it ? She happened to be my interviewer :) </p>
<p>I took Physics BioM and Math IIc - I thought that taking German wouldn't look too well (though if you see the curves, most of the Chinese must take Chinese...) and I did not feel prepared for literature nor for History (I hate this subject) - not many options left.</p>
<p>Nice post man, btw. I'm almost sure you're doing the right things. Get high SATs and you have a really good shot.</p>
<p>^ taking German doesn't look good indeed although it worked out once for a German applicant who took German + both math subject tests. My personal advice would be a good combination of science, language and history/literature which shows that you're a well-rounded person.</p>
<p>No, I didn't meet Leslie von Wangenheim, but she was the one who so kind to refer me to another alumna from Munich. I'm really glad that the Princeton Alumni Association of Germany is so active, open and nice. (I still have no idea whether the PAA of Austria is active in any way, though I guess that they do interview applicants. There's just no contact information to be found...)</p>
<p>Yes, I hope I'm doing the right things. After all, the application process is not cheap at all... ;-) Anyway, my marks are not the best, so that might be a slight problem. (Well, I will probably have a 1.6 - 1.8 GPA by the end of this year, but my former GPAs suck; they really do...).</p>
<p>Oh, I didn't know one can take e.g. both math subject tests or two science subject tests. I have always assumed that these had to be taken from different subject areas. Math II and Physics are the ones that I've already decided to take, but a third test is missing. Since I attend an upper secondary technical and vocational college [1], I'm not able to take a language subject, so that's why I was asking (English is the only foreign language we learn). I'll probably head for World History, but who knows...</p>
<p>So, did you also take AP exams? I originally planned to take Computer Science AB, Maths BC and Physics C, but yesterday I was informed that ONE exam costs 175 Euros... and that is way too much. Again, I'm not sure what to do. I think I'll go for Physics C (since it's my intended major).</p>
<p>GermanYalie17, I don't know if you still follow this discussion, but you may now have noticed that even such small things can drive you crazy. (As mentioned in my first reply.)</p>
<p>Ich finde es ein bisschen lustig, dass du wuenscht dir hier zu kommen -- ich wuensche mir dieses Sommer Muenich zu gehen. (Mit Princeton-in-Muenich, natuerlich.)</p>
<p>Aber viel Gluck! Wann du hier kommst, kannst du mir hilfen mit mein furchtbarer Deutsch. ;)</p>
<p>Ich weiss nicht warum dieses Forum erlaubt kein Umlaut.</p>
<p>Hi, I'm half-German too, but living in Mauritius.. It's really cool that so many Germans are interested in attending Princeton.. :D :D Anyway, I believe that if one really wants to get into one of the top unis of the world, one should go for it- sacrificing a few months for a dream is well worth it... Our school system is completely different from the American one so I understand how difficult it is; here everything is based on academic success, and our ECs are lamentably poor:( and there aren't really many awards that one can win.. Basically for the applications we're doomed... GermanYalie you should really give it a shot, work on your English and your Ecs, I'm sure that in Germany there are a variety of activities that you could try out, do some social work, and don't read CC too much- it will only depress you :D I know the feeling.. You are probably wondering how it is possible for American students to equally excel at school and in various activities, win awards and hold 'leader' positions, but remember that all these are integrated in their system, and their everyday life. It is certainly not your fault that the system in Germany does not encourage the latter.. Truly, there are so many outstanding students worldwide, with excellent scores, so, while you should really try to do your best in the tests etc, you should not forget to enjoy your remaining school years:P:P Anyway viel glueck!!!</p>
<p>frozen-tears, thank you and good luck with the Princeton-in-Munich program. I'll try my best to help you once I'm attending Princeton. (I hope I will.) :-)</p>
<p>fleurdelis, the situation with academic excellent as the base of success and no attention for ECs is quite similar here in Austria and Germany. That's the way it is; we can't change it, but give our best to have both, good grades and stellar extracurriculars. :-D</p>