<p>I can't find any specific resources that detail this, would someone with knowledge on this offer some insight for my question?</p>
<p>Not difficult at all. You go to your adviser, say you want to become become an ORFE major, fill out the necessary forms to become BSE, and take the pre-reqs. No one will try to stop you.</p>
<p>Though its usually more common for people to switch from ORFE to ECON.</p>
<p>As a prospective freshman, is it easier to be accepted into the
a) AB Econ major with 2300+ SAT I (potentially at least 750 each section)/740 SAT USH/760 SAT WH/800 SAT Math 2, </p>
<p>or </p>
<p>b) BSE ORFE with 2240 SAT I (M: 730, CR: 710, W: 800)/740 SAT USH/760 SAT WH/800 SAT Math 2/750+ SAT Physics?</p>
<p>Other factors: Female, East Asian, ranked 1 in class, 4s/5s on 10 AP exams, including 5 on self-studied AP Calc BC (taking 9 AP classes this year as a senior, including AP Physics), taking Multivariable Calculus (and possibly Differential Equations) on JHU CTY, notable ECs in business, science and engineering.</p>
<p>Basically…is my SAT I good enough that I would still be somewhat safe taking SAT Physics and therefore applying as BSE ORFE; or will it be weak enough that going the AB Econ route when applying for undergrad would be a better option, in order to compensate and to maximize my chances?</p>
<p>@Twinkiegirl - At Princeton the question is different than what you outlined above. You are accepted into the school as a whole, with no major declared until later. In your application you state that you are interested in either the AB (Econ) or the BSE (ORFE)track but in the application your statement is non-binding and you are free, once accepted, to pursue either one if you have the required pre-requisites. </p>
<p>The general AB track will require you to attain a prescribed level of proficiency in a second language (other than English) prior to graduation. If you believe you have already attained the required level, I think you can write a test to prove your level of proficiency. </p>
<p>The general BSE track will require you to fufill a number of math/science requirements in your first year. To be successful in the BSE track you must be able to start your studies in MAT 103 at a minimum. You also need to have an algebra-based physics background to be successful. If you do not have these requirements, they will strongly encourage you to steer away from the BSE track. This information came directly to us from Dean Bogucki when my son was considering his track at Princeton. He is now in first year BSE but keeping his language studies so he has the option to switch if he so chooses. </p>
<p>In the application process the admissions people are using the track you indicate to learn more about you as a person and to see how you might fit within Princeton as a whole. I don’t think you “maximize your chances” with either route if you appear qualified to be successful in either area. I think it’s more about whether you can convey clear vision and interest in the path that you are pursuing. I’d suggest applying based on what you are truly excited about.</p>
<p>^BSE requires an SAT Subject test in SAT Physics though; I have to choose between that or SAT I for my last testing date in the month of January.</p>
<p>Actually BSE requires a subject test in math and a subject test in a science - not necessarily physics (my son wrote chemistry).</p>
<p>Oops yeah, that’s what I meant - either Physics or Chemistry. I said SAT Physics because Chemistry isn’t exactly my forte. Still, though…with that sort of assessment, which route would be better taken?</p>
<p>I reiterate that question because I am getting mixed reviews. There are a bunch of people telling me to retake my SAT I because it might be too low, especially for an unhooked Asian applicant such as I, and that I would have a better chance of getting into Princeton in general if I had a higher SAT I vs. my current SAT I + 750+ SAT Physics. Some say that a higher SAT I would showcase my inherent abilities and aptitude as a student, whereas a high SAT Physics score could be purely the result of a particularly effective teacher. They also add that SAT I takes precedent over SAT Subject tests.</p>
<p>At the same time, there are also others telling me to take SAT Physics instead, because they find that my SAT I score is acceptable enough (albeit on the somewhat low end of the mid-range 25th-75th percentile spectrum of scores), and because the score to mistake ratio of the two tests are significantly different as a few careless mistakes on the SAT I would render a larger drop in one’s score per section (730 SAT I Math = ~3-4 mistakes; 730 SAT II Math = ~13-15 mistakes). They say that my extracurriculars, GPA, rank, APs, and awards/honors sufficiently bolster my application as a BSE candidate, and that I would lose a significant trade-off as an underrepresented individual in engineering – my gender as a female – and my potential to showcase a strong essay for the engineering school.</p>
<p>I am willing to devote myself to the SAT I if need be, even though I’d rather take SAT Physics because I would find it more enjoyable to study for and take the test for it. I find the SAT I to be a repulsive exam, which in part could explain why I was so disgusted as to not have retaken it at any point during my sophomore and junior years. Moreover, I do not have a 740+ SAT subject test in a science subject and my extracurricular achievements in STEM would not be particularly corroborated in terms of academic achievement; at the same time, reverting to an AB Econ major would neutralize this issue. Ultimately, knowing how lax it is to switch majors at Princeton, even upon matriculation…I just want to be accepted at Princeton. However, I have not gotten a crystalline, solid answer on which of the two paths above would yield greater chances for me. I am incredibly conflicted.</p>
<p>Considering taking both SAT Physics <em>and</em> SAT Literature – SAT Physics + SAT Math 2 to compensate for my SAT I Math; SAT Literature to compensate for my SAT I CR. Fairly confident of getting 750+ on both. I’d prefer that over taking the SAT I again lol. Would this be a feasible option?</p>
<p>Might I suggest that the reason you aren’t getting a clear answer is because there really isn’t one? The admissions process is not as heavily dependent on test scores as some writers on CC seem to infer. Remember that every year, some perfect 2400 SAT I and II scores receive rejection letters. Yes, you need to have attained a minimum level of proficiency. Yes, you need to have taken a challenging enough course load that you would present as being very likely to succeed in the intensely rigorous learning environment Princeton offers. Yes, you need to stand academically near the top of your highschool class. What you outlined in your OP would meet these requirements. </p>
<p>I really encourage you to step away for a moment from the question of “likelihood of acceptance” since realistically it is difficult for almost everyone to be accepted. Consider what you really, really want to do. Do you really want to study economics? Do you really get excited about engineering? Where do you really see yourself long term? When you can answer this question, you will know exactly what to do. Forget about the probabilities. You are looking at fractions of a percent of likelihood between the two scenarios you outlined above. </p>
<p>The greater issue at hand is, if you try to tailor your application to “more likely to get me in”, you run the risk of the admissions people detecting insincerity in the application and overlooking a person who really could have been a wonderful asset to Princeton. I sense that you really do have a lot to offer…find out what that is and let who you are shine through.</p>
<p>Do the sat physics because I know you want to take it and apply for bse. Being a female is a better boost. You will also get across a more sincere application that demonstrates your passion. Don’t worry about your sat score because there is no “red flag” in it like 640 cr etc. As long as you do not write a cliche essay you will be competitive as possible.</p>