HELP with Princeton and others

Applying to College
1

<p>Hey,</p>

<p>Just got denied from Stanford SCEA. I was a little surprised, but now I am moving on. I would appreciate some help with my app.</p>

<p>I am thinking of Princeton, Harvard, Columbia, Pomona. Any other suggestions?</p>

<p>Here are my stats:</p>

<p>GPA: 3.91 UW
SAT: cr 750 m 730 w 670
SAT II: US hist 750 math II 740 Lit 690</p>

<p>APs
US Hist 5
Environmental Science 5
Eng Lang and Comp 4
Euro Hist (2007)
Calc AB (2007)
Physics B (2007)
(limit of three per year at my school)</p>

<p>I took an Inde Cinematography course and will take Inde Theoretical Physics.</p>

<p>Awards
Headmasters List (for high GPA)
National Merit Commended
AP Scholar
Best in the mathematics category at the Hawaii State Science and Technology Fair</p>

<p>ECs
Windsurfing (currently compete on the World Tour) (4500+ hours)
Cinematography- I have released a DVD and distributed it across Europe (500 hours)
Hawaiian Cultural Awareness (100+ hours)
Journalism- layout designer
Creative Writing
Debate- captain
Diving- captain
Guitar
Drawing
Cross Country Running
Reading
Public Library Volunteer
and various clubs</p>

<p>Work
Professional Windsurfer
Cinematographer
Tutor
Windsurfing Instructor
Windsurfing Contest Judge</p>

<p>The last two summers, I lived in Spain, competed on the Windsurfing World Tour in Europe, and performed demos and clinics.</p>

<p>Langs
English
Spanish</p>

<p>My main interest is physics. (unfortunately, I don’t have much to show for it)</p>

<p>Essay's
living in Spain
windsurfing
cinematography
interest in physics</p>

<p>I will revise my essays. I have good recs. </p>

<p>I am white (I am technically 25% Arab, although, I neither look it nor associate with that Ethnic group).</p>

<p>Any strategies? I was expecting to at least get deferred from Stanford, though thinking about it now, I realize that Princeton is my first choice. </p>

<p>I need as much help as possible. Please list any comments.</p>

<p>Thank you very very much!!!!</p>

2

<p>What's your class rank?</p>

3

<p>My school does not rank, but I am in the top 10%.</p>

<p>Thanks</p>

4

<p>Even when schools don't rank, colleges have a strong idea where you stand. They apply formulas.</p>

<p>You have very interesting ECs, not exceptional SATs but good enough. The top schools want you to be top 5% so that's an unknown. And you have Hawaii going for you.</p>

<p>You should have a shot. That you were rejected rather than deferred would make me revisit your application. Did you have some experienced people review your essays? If you're not certain they are great, take a hard look before sending to more schools.</p>

<p>Next, have you seen your recs? Are you sure they're good enough. If not, think about getting new ones.</p>

<p>Have your counselor call Stanford to get any info you can on why you were rejected.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the help.</p>

<p>I will revise my essays. Any general suggestions?</p>

<p>I decided to get a new rec for the science/math, and I added an optional rec from a Princeton Alumnus whom I know through windsurfing.</p>

<p>I have already asked my counselor to contact Stanford. The Hawaii/Alaska/Colorado/New Mexico/Palo Alto admission officer graduated from my high school, so I might have a chance at learning the reason.</p>

<p>Thanks again</p>

6

<p>suze -- unlike Harvard, MIT and Yale, Stanford only defers about 10% of their applicants and rejects those that weren't admitted. This year Stanford's acceptance rate was only 16%, with over 4,600 applicants. (In contrast, for example, MIT accepted 11%, rejected 11% and deferred 78%.)</p>

<p>grahamezzy -- don't assume there was anything wrong with your app; it was an extremely competitive applicant pool, with too few spots to go around.</p>

<p>Good luck on the next round.</p>