Getting into Princeton?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hello there, </p>

<p>My name is Brooke. I'm fourteen years old, and I currently attend an extremely small Christian School in the Tampa Bay area of Florda. I really want to go to Princeton when I'm older. I have recently aquainted myself with a Princeton sophomore, and I asked him whether or not Princeton considers one's Freshman grades when applying. It turns out that they don't, and that's a very good thing for me. Not that I've done poorly, but last year I was in a terrible public school. The teachers didn't even teach; instead they SAT down on their computers the whole period! Thereby I didn't learn much, so when I came to the private school that I'm currently at, I had a pretty rough first quarter. My grades were C's B's and one A. But the next quarter (quarter two) I got all A's and B's, and this quarter, I have mostly A's and 3 extremely high B's in all of the honors classes that my school provides (except for math.) I come to find out that Princeton primarily looks at sophomore grades, junior (the most prominent) and first semester senior marks. </p>

<p>So, in my sophomore year, I plan on attending the same school. Reasons for this being because I just can't take public school anymore. Especially in the area that I live in; It's hell. Problem is, my school is brand new (three years old) and we don't have any clubs (except Student council, of which I am in) either. And I am very aware that such a school as Princeton takes that seriously. So I'm thinking of starting a [few] club(s). </p>

<p>Next year I plan on taking all honors courses, and the honors courses that my school doesn't provide I'll take on Florida Virtual School. I also plan on going to UPENN Pre-College (do you think that will help my resume?) and my GPA and grades will be MUCH better because of having a year of adjusting to such a rigorous school as the one I'm currently at. </p>

<p>Or do you think I'm pretty much screwed?
Any tips will be greatly appreciated. </p>

<p>Thanks, </p>

<p>Brooke.</p>

2

<p>You are 14.</p>

<p>Forget Princeton.</p>

<p>Live your live…</p>

<p>If everything you do is geared towards getting in to P (or HY etc);

  1. you won’t
  2. your life will suck</p>

<p>Enjoy life, and see where you are in 2 years time. Do well, join/create lots of clubs, but do it because you want to, not because you think Princeton wants you to.</p>

3

<p>^^ditto… just enjoy your life… and live your life the way you want to… dont try to become someone else just to go to Princeton ( which wont ever work )</p>

4

<p>Hi Brooke,</p>

<p>I’m only a parent of a high school junior who has an interest in Princeton so I’m not sure how valuable my input will be. My son is homeschooled/part time college and we’ve had to be very creative about finding opportunities to pursue his passions.</p>

<p>First, I think it’s great you want to start clubs. Do you have some strong areas of passion? Definitely pursue these areas in relationship to the clubs.</p>

<p>Also, given that you live in a large city (or near one) and you have access to the internet, you have some fantastic opportunities in the community to pursue excellence. Here are some areas where my son has excelled, thanks to some great opportunities around us:</p>

<p>Local chess club (he’s nationally ranked in chess for his age but started playing chess at the club on Friday nights for $5 a week)</p>

<p>Local math circle (he’s involved in math and physics competitions and has done well in both)</p>

<p>Local free community/university symphony-we don’t have $$ for (and he always had a schedule conflict with) youth symphonies but the local univ. symphony was free to advanced community members and high school students. He even went on tour with them one year and has recorded several CDs with them</p>

<p>Finding like minded students in the community for various activities-my son is in a folk rock band due to his socializing with musicians. He did some professional work for a local theater company last summer because he was agressive in introducing himself to the music director, etc.</p>

<p>There are museums to volunteer for, there are local classes at museums, there are summer camps, there’s community college, etc. I think Florida has something called “Bright Scholars” (not sure what it is but I think it’s something you could check into).</p>

<p>My son won a small physics research award at a local community college when he began attending part time at age 12.</p>

<p>Basically, since we homeschool, our “school” experiences are all in the community and if your parents are willing to help you, I think you can scout out a lot of opportunities.</p>

<p>Online, there are classes through Art of Problem Solving, other online classes, math and physics competitions can be taken online by registering directly with the company. AP tests can be taken at other schools.</p>

<p>I hope this gives you a few ideas!</p>

5

<p>You should definitely try your best! If you want to go to Princeton, then that’s your goal, and you should strive hard to get there. But don’t stress yourself out too much about it. There are MANY more other options that are all really great. Princeton won’t be your only choice.</p>

<p>PS: My mom wants me to go to princeton too =P</p>

6

<p>Every college wants exceptional people. Princeton is full of them (except for me, and maybe a few others). Be exceptional first, and then worry about which schools will take you. You’re still young, make something of it.</p>

7

<p>Always bear in mind that Princeton, along with any other college, is not looking for you to be the “perfect” student. Such a thing does not exist. That being said, I do not mean that you should not focus on grades and strive to be the best you can be. Quite the contrary. However, my point is that Princeton is looking for uniqueness. You should be yourself, don’t try to be anything else for anyone or any college. If you want to start clubs, that’s fine. If you want to become involved in the community, that’s great. But always remember to continue being what truly makes you unique: yourself.</p>

8

<p>Unfortunately while Freshman grades are not considered, the do matter because of class rank so you might still be screwed.</p>