High SAT, not so strong GPA- chances :)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Stats:</p>

<p>Junior</p>

<p>2370 SAT (800Math 800CR 770Wr)
4.0W-4.15W (by 7th semester) about (3.5-3.6 uw)
SAT II Math IIC, Physics, and US expecting 770+
No class rank, but top 10% (if I had to estimate 8-9%)
African American
Very competitive public (aka 90+% to 4 yr colleges)
Junior yr sched 5 AP's
Senior yr sched 4 AP's (3 math/sci+ap eng)
Expecting NMSF and Natl Achievement SF(226 PSAT in NJ) and AP scholar awards</p>

<p>Quiz Bowl Team member-highly ranked team that always goes to nationals (2 years)
Tutoring (2 years I put a lot of time into this)
Italian NHS (VP now Pres next yr)
Habitat for Humanity (3 yrs)
Chess Team (2 yrs)
NHS (starting next yr)
Orchestra (2 yrs)
Copious Volunteering- Started in Middle School Really
Summer of 2006-Traveled to Nigeria
Summer of 2007-Chemical engineering research at reputable university</p>

<p>Prospective major: Chemical/mechanical engineering/operations research</p>

<p>I know being from NJ won't help either :(.</p>

2

<p>FredFred, I think you would be a very strong candidate and I hope you apply! (By the way, I like your screen name.)</p>

3

<p>I am most certainly applying! Do you know what my screen name means? ;)</p>

4

<p>FredFred, we're just hoping you don't have the horns!</p>

5

<p>Lol... got it.</p>

6

<p>bump.....................</p>

7

<p>black and 2370....do you even need to post. You're one in a hundred thousand.</p>

8

<p>yep...black will do it)</p>

9

<p>bump.......... I think I do need to post.. every year I hear some wild stories....</p>

10

<p>I would be very surprised if you didn't get in. URM status and high test scores are a very good combination. Good luck.</p>

11

<p>Thank you.</p>

12

<p>You are a very competitive candidate. Congratulations on your accomplishments. I hope you do apply, and when you are accepted, that you choose Princeton.</p>

13

<p>You have many excellent things going for you. What I see that's missing is strong leadership in a major organization like being Student Government Association president.</p>

<p>If you manage to do excellent research this summer that is publishable, that will boost your chances.</p>

<p>I assume you're Nigerian. That doesn't help as top colleges are realizing that the majority of their black students are first or second generation American. who represent a very small percentage of the U.S. black population. The colleges want to have black student bodies that reflect more of the population of African Americans whose ancestors were directly affected by slavery and segregation.</p>

<p>Traveling to Nigeria isn't considered remarkable if your parents are Nigerian. It would be considered remarkable if you're not Nigerian, but raised the $ to go to Nigeria.</p>

<p>.</p>

14

<p>well, then he shouldn't say that he is nigerian....eaily..., country of origin: U.S.A...who's gonna check?</p>

15

<p>They'll know by my name.</p>

16

<p>
[quote]
The colleges want to have black student bodies that reflect more of the population of African Americans whose ancestors were directly affected by slavery and segregation.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>This makes sense, but do you have any sources to back up your claim?</p>

17

<p>I agree, it makes sense. But when I visited Princeton, most of the black underclasmen were the sons and daughters of the first and second generation immigrants. I think the colleges have realized, and they say it's for diversity, not reparations. Thus, I'm just as "black" as anyother black person in the country, according to them at least.</p>

18

<p>Wow! There was a recent article ( I think NY times) in which it said that having a high GPA and okay SAT score isnt as good as High SAT and low GPA. You have a high SAT score.. so you have better chances. NICE Good LUCk</p>

19

<p>Nearly all college say that the high school transcript is the most important factor in making admissions decisions. Could you post a link to back up your assertion?</p>

20

<p>
[quote]
Nearly all college say that the high school transcript is the most important factor in making admissions decisions. Could you post a link to back up your assertion?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>GPA is an unreliable measurement of academic ability for most because it is calibrated based on the students within a single high school rather than across the country. So a random school out in the middle of nowhere might give a thoroughly mediocre student a 4.0 simply because, for that community, he's unusually strong. Meanwhile, an elite private school might give a far stronger student a 3.5 because of the extraordinary caliber of those who go there. Therefore, having a high GPA from a no-name school is virtually worthless, while having a low GPA from a very tough school can be impressive.</p>

<p>The SAT, on the other hand, is standardized and calibrated based on the entire national high school population. For all its faults, it provides a direct measure of academic ability that transcends locality. Therefore, a high SAT and a low GPA (depending on the school) can be indicative of a strong student at a tough school, whereas a high GPA and a low SAT is almost always indicative of a weak student at an undemanding school. That's why Princeton rejects more than 80% of valedictorians who apply.</p>