Help a Princton Dreamer

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hey Princetonians and Former Princetonians,</p>

<p>I would like some advice regarding SATs. I went through Senior year summer thinking that I am finished with standardized tests, but I now am questioning my decision. </p>

<p>The reason is that the circumstances have changed. I was intending to apply early decision to Penn which doesn't allow score choice or superscoring, but now I have fallen in love with P'ton and want to apply SCEA, because I discovered through my summer internship that there are two things I want to pursue in my life, Physics and Finance, and Princeton's Physics and Finance program (Physics</a> & Finance -*Physics Department, Princeton University) swayed me completely.</p>

<p>I love physics and would like to pursue it as a major, but working at an consulting company in high school and seeing the work first hand, I think finance is where I would like to make my career.</p>

<p>Without further ado, </p>

<p>I have taken the SAT once, and recieved a 2300, with a score breakdown of 800 CR, 800 M, and 700 W (10 or 11 E). I have posted chances threads before with different numbers as projections to see whether an increased score will help, but this is my real, achieved score. </p>

<p>The reason I am second guessing this is because on Princeton's website, it lists that 21.6% of 2300-2400 applicants get in, versus only 9.4% of 2200-2290 applicants. I know that I am officially in the top range, but given the fact that I am the lowest end of that upper range and that I have only taken it once, is it a viable option to retake?</p>

<p>I am 100% committed to Princeton and I'm actually afraid that I'm "falling in love" persay too fast. Anything that could possibly improve my chances I really would love to take advantage of.</p>

<p>OTHER RELEVANT INFO:
1. SAT II's (800 Math II, 800 Chem, 790 Phys)
2. GPA: 3.95 UW, 4.45 W/ 4.5 (Rank: Either 1, 2, or 3/ 243)
3. EC's:
2 Sport Varsity Athlete (Tennis (recruited for D3 Schools) (captain?), Golf)
Summer Activities: (Consulting/Engineering Internship 2012, Biomedical Research 2011, Explo at Yale 2010,)
Volunteering: 200~ hours through youth Choir and NHS
Clubs+Leadership: Business Club Founder-President
Math Team Vice Captain
Mu Alpha Theta Math NHS President
Theater- Various Supporting Lead Roles</p>

<p>Indian-American Male!</p>

2

<p>Your SAT score isn’t going to make or break you. It’ll get your foot in the door, and the rest will be based on your transcript, ECs, essays, etc. Getting a higher score than you have won’t help much. </p>

<p>Sent from my HTC VLE_U using CC</p>

3

<p>bump 10char</p>

4

<p>You could end up with a lower score, too. Given your interests (physics and finance) I’m sure you can come up with a better use of your time and money.</p>

<p>Your numbers are all in range so why don’t you think about what you can put in your essay that will convince admissions officers at all the schools you’ll be applying to that you are the one whose presence in the classroom and dorm will make other people want to be there? Show them why they don’t want to pass up the chance to have you in their next freshman class.</p>

5

<p>OP, there is no reason to take the SAT again. That score would not, by any means, hold you back.</p>

<p>As another poster said, focus on your attention on other parts of your app, such as essays, which are equally important (IMO).</p>

6

<p>Advice #1: Do NOT fall in love with a school before you get in. It’s just a formula for heartbreak and disappointment. You have plenty of time to fall in love once you get in. </p>

<p>Score distributions are not the place to look because SATs are only one part (and not the most important!) of your college application. Your ECs seem solid enough but keep working on them. 21.6% of students with scores in the 2300-2400 score range may get in, but that does NOT mean that you have a 21.6% chance of getting in. You can bet that those students didn’t get in because of their scores - they HAD to have had something else to boost their application. Simply put, only having the scores and mediocre ECs won’t cut it. You need to demonstrate a passion and have what the college is looking for in that specific class. Good luck!</p>

7

<p>Thanks for all your feedback. I had a hunch not to, but the people on the SCEA results thread that generally got in had 2350+ if they weren’t hooked. I agree I shouldn’t fall in love with it yet, but it just fits me as a person so well.</p>

8

<p>OK, I might be going against the tide here, but I’d suggest that you retake, especially since you’ve only taken it once already. You are obviously a very good test taker, and increasing the writing score should be a breeze if you put some effort to it (Silverturtle’s guide is the way to go.)</p>

<p>If, worst case scenario, your Cr and Math scores drop enough so that you have doubts about whether super-scoring will ultimately help you (you might not want to show a big decline from the 800 scores), you can simply use score choice.</p>

<p>(For the record, I got in with a 2370…which reminds me I still need to post in the stats thread at some point)</p>

9

<p>If you’ve been taking practice tests and consistently scoring higher on writing, I’d normally recommend you retake, except for one thing: you have a 1600 on the sections that really matter. Given that senior year is insane enough already, I’d say it’s not worth your time.</p>

10

<p>OP, I would suggest that you focus this year on “making your mark on the world”. Princeton is interested not so much in great marks and EC’s, but more how those EC’s made an impact on the world around them. 2400’s do regularly get declined in the admissions process so it is worth your while to set yourself apart in other ways. There is a reason you love Princeton - what is it? If you are correct that you are a good fit for the school, then use your energy toward your passion and consider how you can convey who you are the most effectively. And remember that Princeton could fill their first year class several times over with students they would ultimately be happy about having admitted - all the preparation in the world is only a part of the equation. Do your part and trust that you will end up in a great place, wherever that may be! Good wishes!!</p>