How can I improve my chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

Hello everyone,

Thank you in advance for replying.

Since I was young, I dreamed of attending an Ivy League university. However, as I got older the likelihood of this happening began to fade. Now I am a junior and do not know where I stand. I understand my chances are very low but would appreciate if someone could give me guidance and let me know if they are worth applying to. Right now my favorite is Princeton which I way I am writing this here.

My current GPA with weighting: 97.1159 (However, that is from last year with only honors level course. I am also expecting a significant increase because my finals from last year were fairly low due to my grandmother passing several weeks before.)

Current test scores: I scored 1310 on the new SAT from the end of 10th grade. However, this should significantly increase as well. Will be taking the March SAT. My target score is 1450. Will take the ACT as well.

Subject Test: I have not taken the SAT II yet but will most likely take Biology, Chemistry and one other.

Current classes and grades: I am currently in Honors PreCalc, Honors Italian 4, IB History of the Americas, IB English, AP Biology, AP Micro Economics, and two class periods of dance which is my major. I currently have above a 92 in every class except PreCalc which I currently have an 88 in (This is, however, one of the highest grades in the class)

Past Classes: Freshman Year- English Honors Option, Global Studies Honors Option, Biology, Italian 1, Honors Geometry, Gym/Health, and two blocks of Dance (My school does not offer traditional honors classes for 9th grade)
Sophomore Year- Honors English, Honors History, Honors Algebra 2, Accelerated Italian 2/3, Honors Chemistry, Marketing, Entrapernureship, and my two dance blocks.

Senior Year tentative classes: IB English and IB HotA year two, AP Calc BC, IB Italian, AP Chemistry, Forensics ( a dual credit course from Syracuse University), and my two dance blocks for my major.

I really wanted to take another science class but don’t know if I’m willing to drop my language or major.

ECs, clubs, sport, etc. :

Competitive dancer- my whole life
Cheerleading- 9 and 10, possibly will do it again senior year
Musical- ensemble member 9 and 10, Crew 11
Mock Trial- Lead Witness 10 and 11
Key Club- 9, 10, 11
National Italian Honor Society- Bussiness Manager, 11
Student Council- Representative 10, Bussiness Manager 11
STS Leader (peer outreach)- 11
Science league- 11
various other clubs such as yearbook and the school record label for less than a full year which I probably won’t put on my apps
Summer job at beach club- summer before 11
Hostess at Carlos O’Connor’s- 11
Will be having a summer job this year just not decided if it will be the same.
Babysitting- since I was 13
Volunteer work through my dance troupe- the holiday season for the past 6 years.
I’m also working on starting my own platform to raise money and awareness for cancer research called the Pink Teddy Bear Foundation.

I understand my statistics are low and I don’t have the impressive award many people applying to these colleges have. My credentials don’t stand out but do you think it might be enough to have a chance of being admitted. Also seeking advice on how to give me a greater chance.

Thank you

Additionally, I started one of my essays for the common application entitled “The juxtaposition of a dancing scientist” about how I overcame my internal struggle and the external pressures to quit dance even though it was what I loved to do. It also touches on my choice to dance in high school over attending my state’s top high school that is biotechnology focused.

2

Without actual scores it is virtually impossible to hazard a guess as to your chances of admission. I would suggest writing an updated chance thread when you have a little more information.

3

Thank you that is definitely understandable and will do that when I can. To ask you one more question if I may, To the best of your knowledge are my current statistics close enough where a small increase will put me in the right percentile for a chance at these school? It doesn’t have to be an exact or concrete answer just you opinion and general first impression. Again thank you so much for your response.

4

Here is a link to the admission statistics for the class of 2020 so you have a general idea of what the numbers look like. https://admission.princeton.edu/how-apply/admission-statistics To try and compare the old numbers (3 sections) with the new, I think a number over 1500 would be a rough equivalent to the top section (2300-2400) which saw a 12.8% admission rate. Your 1310 would work out to around 2000 on the 3 section test which you can see has only a 4.2% admission rate. If you can raise your scores as you hope to, it certainly improves your chances. I think common understanding on this forum holds that having scores in the low to mid 700’s (per section) puts you in the range where admissions will take a more serious look at your application as a whole.

Beyond scores, your course load looks challenging. Dance may help your application depending on how accomplished you are since Princeton has had a major thrust to develop the arts on campus. Your essays will be very important in terms of expressing your own voice and painting a picture for admissions of who you are and what would make you a powerful contributor to the university.

Treat an application to any very selective school as a far reach, apply to a few near reaches and safeties and enjoy the rest of your high school years. I wish you the best!!

5

Thank you so much for your advice and time!

6

Your essay title sounds forced.

7

Why are you so set on Ivy League? They’re difficult for anyone, so it would be a good idea to widen your search a little. Good luck though!

8
  1. What is your un-weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale? To be competitive, your GPA needs to be above 3.9. Take the hardest classes that you can handle.
  2. Your SAT score needs to be above 1500, preferably above 1540. No need to take ACT if you score well on SAT.
  3. How competitive are you in dancing? Have you won any major dancing competitions? Your other ECs seem all over the places without focus.
  4. Get heavily involved in community services, Ivy schools love that.
  5. Get the best recommendations.
  6. Write killer essays.

Good luck and enjoy the journey!

9

@sydsileno I agree with both @carrots0066 (your essay topic sounds forced) and @TimeUpJunior (Your other ECs seem all over the places without focus.)

My advice is for you to ensure your essay has a strong narrative of your dancing (and ideally weaves in your dance community service, like @TimeUpJunior said, Ivy’s do love community service) that is not cliche. It think adcoms have read the “how I overcame my internal struggle and the external pressures to quit dance” a thousand times. You want to be unique and memorable, not cliche. Unless you are a master writer, I’d try a different, perhaps more unique dancing-themed essay topic.

I’d also ensure one of your LoRs has your dance instructor writing about how incredible and rare your talent is.

Your dance essay, your dance ECs, your dance community service and your dance LoR, can be formed into a compelling narrative that will help the adcoms say “yes, I remember her, she is the dancer that…” - that is where you need to be for hyper-competitive ivy admissions.

The good news is Princeton loves their dancers!

Good luck!