Have you spoken to your HS GC about your list? What do they say re: categorization and chances at Princeton and Cornell? They are in the best position to guide you as they will ultimately see your entire application.
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I read through this thread with increasing bafflement. Based on OP’s academic profile (I want to stress that I am not judging OP’s chances based on other elements of his future application, not revealed here - let’s say parents’ multimillion donation to the school), he will be a mediocre candidate at a moderately selective college, even after improving the SAT score by 300 points (which may happen with intense tutoring). Will attending a “top NYC prep school” shine so bright that it will blind the admission officers to the fact that the class choices point to the least, not the most rigor? How will the modest and entirely in-school ECs compare with national- and international-scale accomplishments of many Princeton candidates?
Could please any of the posters encouraging OP’s Princeton dreams explain to me what sets this candidate apart in the cut-throat competition for these schools? I could only point to one - the incredible sense of entitlement, if not the fact that even this is not that unique among prep school kids…
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I was aware of Princeton’s debate team, and know that Yale has a great one as well. I wouldn’t (and couldn’t) start a club that’s already established, but given my role in my school’s debate club, could potentially join Princeton’s and start a different club while there.
I also agree that a Princeton degree isn’t of great utility in my intended field, though I’d still value the school for the experience I would have, and the knowledge I would gain.
Good question. I should’ve addressed this in the post.
My GC and I are scheduled to meet soon. In previous meetings she’d mentioned some of the schools I have on this post. She noted that my story would garner their attention, and would show perseverance.
My school admits students to the Ivy League every year. On early decisions alone multiple students have been admitted to Cornell, Columbia, and Bowdoin (which isn’t an ivy, but still). Last year, we had a similar list, but with Julliard - and two years ago, we had Brown, Duke, Cornell, Columbia, and UPenn.
You’ll notice that Princeton doesn’t appear on this list. I don’t recall any students even applying to Princeton, let alone gaining admission. Harvard and Stanford admitted several students from our school in the last few years, but Princeton has yet to even receive an app from a student here.
I read through this thread with increasing bafflement. Based on OP’s academic profile (I want to stress that I am not judging OP’s chances based on other elements of his future application, not revealed here - let’s say parents’ multimillion donation to the school), he will be a mediocre candidate at a moderately selective college, even after improving the SAT score by 300 points (which may happen with intense tutoring).
I won’t judge you on this presupposition. I do attend a NYC prep school, so I could see what led you there.
I come from a middle class family (by NYC standards) which could never afford the school I attend. Given my learning challenges, my city’s DOE covers the entire tuition at my school. I was previously at a run-down public school in the Bronx which had no accommodations for my learning challenges to speak of. I was on the verge of being held back a year until my parents sought a private school with small classes and individualized attention. My mom worked for months to secure funding for me, knowing that I had the potential to someday be a high-achieving student. She succeeded, and I transferred schools. The issue with this school were its easy classes. I was now exceedingly far behind with mainstream curriculum, and performed only moderately well at my new school.
My current school was recommended to me from my old school’s administration. They said it would allow me to refine my weakest areas and excel. For the second time, my mom worked tirelessly to secure funding. She succeeded once again.
Fast forward and I’m a freshman at my current school, still far behind. I’m earning C’s and low B’s, but luckily I have an in-school tutoring accommodation that helps me sustain my average and improve upon it.
When I reach the end of the school year, final exams are up. For the first time in my academic career, I feel that I can do well on them. I studied (which was then a rarity for me) and managed to get a few B+ grades and an A-. This motivated me to no end. I saw that I could do well if I worked in this environment, and I happened to be correct. I decided to employ this newfound desire to achieve, which was only made possible my my school’s environment, in my next year. In my final sophomore year marking period, I had a 97/100 GPA.
And now I’m here, still keeping similar grades and yearning to do much more. I will try my best to bring my debate club to a national tournament, and will then attempt to guide them to victory. Even if I fail in that endeavor, I have other options to be recognized outside of my school.
So no, I’m not the archetypal prep school kid, nor am I entitled (they go hand in hand). I’m a student whose had it tough and wants to validate my work by getting into a distinguished school - and once there, I want to be an integral part of its community.
Is this a long shot goal? Absolutely, but I’m willing to work even harder to get closer to achieving it.
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At this point, too much rinse-and-repeat, IF I get into Princeton and no evidence you know what that takes (or are starting to,) the scenario, etc. That’s not uncommon at this stage, but a hurdle. A very big one.
Same for the other colleges. Why this focus on, “distinguished” colleges? (They don’t admit based on a need for validation.) Or why do you feel it’s germane that you “love CT?” I get that kids say what they will. And it does matter when one likes some areas. But in the context of this conversation?
I and others have pointed out that you and your wants and loves and future career ideas are just a start.
Add to that, intended or not, you let us go on and on about an architecture major.
And “leading” your peers? One debate club is not evidence of the sort of leadership qualities. It may be very big in hs, but this the college leap, far more than starting a club and designating yourself leader.
And you don’t need a national debate competition.
Tell me I’m wrong, but 'tude comes through in thinking you’ll so obviously be a leader among leaders. Now you say you’ll "guide " them? You need perspective. (That and attitude are some of things TT adcoms filter for.)
As for the GC, I’m not sure he/she is saying you have a great shot at an Ivy. It’s too soon. No “done deal.” You’re right to try, to expand ECs, etc. But you don’t have the various markers- scores, length of commitment, rigor, depth and breadth, impact (however small,) etc, for a GC at an exclusive prep to be predicting anything.
Commendable that you’re trying, but “miles to go.”
And what’s this: "Based on OP’s academic profile (I want to stress that I am not judging OP’s chances…?
Aren’t YOU the OP?
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What a difference one post makes… Whatever I wrote previously was based on what you had chosen to reveal. I don’t believe it was presumptuous, it was a take on presented facts.
I’m glad you have a compelling story to tell. Tell it well (using these “SAT words” a little more sparingly) and I’m sure your chances will increase. Good luck!
As a middle class family in the NYC area, we have never been eligible for any FA. Some on my kids stats were better than yours (34 ACT, 9 AP’s, varsity captains, officers in clubs and honor societies, 10+ years competitive dance including overseas competitions, 3.8 UWgpa 4.2 weighted, AP scholars…) and do to finances, they had a choice of public instate, public OOS with merit, or private with merit, cost was still over $30,000 a year. Do you know what your parents have saved?
I jumped from a 1100s to a 1500s in a year (ended up with a 1580 - perfect in Math). It’s definitely possible. I’d recommend using Khan Academy’s daily practice (literal gold mine) and Princeton’s Review’s premium book. Make sure to practice doing tests on paper before your test.
Your grades raise a big red flag though. I would definitely address it extensively in your essays (talk about your learning disabilities, etc.) and have your teachers write about your “true” (in quotes because I have no idea how you actually are in an academic setting) academic potential.
It’s a long shot, but then again it’s a long shot for everyone. I suggest you try your hardest, but don’t expect anything.
I think your attitude and thinking is somewhat unique relative to others who post here. Maybe that will be your differentiator, but I truly do not think so. As someone who has been criticized (not in a bad way) for being too optimistic on these posts, I am afraid you are not appreciating who is getting admitted to those schools. There is a different post on CC around OP exaggerating on “chance me” threads. You are exaggerating in a very different way. You are seeing small opportunities in a school’s admissions stats and making yourself believe you are a fit - when in actuality, you do not even come close to meeting that criteria. I have “a friend” who just got admitted to those same schools. He truly did attend a top tier NYC private school and took only AP classes and classes at a city college, never got anything but the highest level A at his school and got a 35 (not 36) on his ACT that he was only able to take 1x, 3 800’s on subject tests, 7/7 5’s on AP tests and also started a coding boot camp for underprivileged kids that expanded to 20 states. He was recognized in the national media for his efforts. That is your competition, and there are a number of kids just like that applicant with different and equally interesting backgrounds.
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Because no one, or almost no one, wants to discourage a kid from applying to his/her dream schools, even if his/her chance is infinitesimally low (but still non-zero).
As a middle class family in the NYC area, we have never been eligible for any FA. Some on my kids stats were better than yours (34 ACT, 9 AP’s, varsity captains, officers in clubs and honor societies, 10+ years competitive dance including overseas competitions, 3.8 UWgpa 4.2 weighted, AP scholars…) and do to finances, they had a choice of public instate, public OOS with merit, or private with merit, cost was still over $30,000 a year. Do you know what your parents have saved?
Are you in NYC itself? If you aren’t, the lack of accommodations explain themselves. Surrounding areas like Jersey, Westchester, Long Island, and Connecticut all have different policies on this sort of thing. In NYC itself, if a student is not performing well, the DEO can be prodded to give funding for a school with accommodations. It’s a long process and an attorney is needed, but it can be done (I’m living proof).
I don’t believe my parents’ savings even came into play in the process, but again, it depends on your “place of abode” (NY’s legal term for residency).
99/100x, I am an encourager. In this instance, however, a reality check seems much more appropriate.
The good news is that you can tell, based upon OP’s many responses, he will not be discouraged. That may prove to be his strongest attribute - but will not change the outcome.
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I think your attitude and thinking is somewhat unique relative to others who post here. Maybe that will be your differentiator, but I truly do not think so. As someone who has been criticized (not in a bad way) for being too optimistic on these posts, I am afraid you are not appreciating who is getting admitted to those schools. There is a different post on CC around OP exaggerating on “chance me” threads. You are exaggerating in a very different way. You are seeing small opportunities in a school’s admissions stats and making yourself believe you are a fit - when in actuality, you do not even come close to meeting that criteria. I have “a friend” who just got admitted to those same schools. He truly did attend a top tier NYC private school and took only AP classes and classes at a city college, never got anything but the highest level A at his school and got a 35 (not 36) on his ACT that he was only able to take 1x, 3 800’s on subject tests, 7/7 5’s on AP tests and also started a coding boot camp for underprivileged kids that expanded to 20 states. He was recognized in the national media for his efforts. That is your competition, and there are a number of kids just like that applicant with different and equally interesting backgrounds.
I truly do appreciate your posts here (and that goes for everyone). They’ve helped me see where I am.
This person you know is ostensibly the “cookie cutter” Princeton applicant. His school performance is admirable, and his extracurriculars commendable.
As someone noted above, my current chances of gaining admission to Princeton are infinitesimal.
But, with continued hard work this year, expansion of my EC’s for national recognition, high SAT scores (or a test-blind option) and enrollment in a college course or and/or AP’s next year, my chances will improve. Even still, its a massive reach.
I’m willing to do everything I can to make sure that I apply. Having the confidence to apply and knowing that I worked hard is an easier truth to accept, even with a subsequent rejection, than not working and not applying.
Again, I appreciate the replies. They motivate me to work harder.
I’m talking about how you plan on paying for college. When I see “private NYC prep school,” I erroneously thought your parents were wealthy, able to cover the $300,000 for private college.
I’m talking about how you plan on paying for college. When I see “private NYC prep school,” I erroneously thought your parents were wealthy, able to cover the $300,000 for private college.
Another user did the same earlier. I apologize for not pointing out my circumstances.
Close…
not “cookie-cutter,” unless you are going by ONLY the academics and tests. Those are a must, unless you are an athlete, URM…
Princeton accepted applicants have activities that do not make their commonapp top 10 that truly look like your very best.
Coding, thousands of diverse kids… not “cookie-cutter” at all. If you do not see that, it will be harder for you to improve your candidacy. There is nothing you can join, or even start that can match certain kids at this point.
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Unless by “cookie-cutter” OP means “highly accomplished” - if that’s the case, I would call it self-deception.
But again, good luck to OP, who are we to insist on lowering the bar?
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OP has a much better (but still infinitesmal) chance of admission to Princeton than the kid who started a thread today to inquire about admission to Harvard by leveraging his/her love for animals and animal science.
true and i ignored that one since we are able to pick and choose.
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