I applied Early Action... thoughts?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

Hey! I applied Early Action to Princeton and have never loved a college or campus more. As many of us know, we won’t hear back until mid-December but I’ve been super nervous eek.

Here are my stats…

Race: White
Gender: Male
Sexuality: L(G)BT+
GPA: 4.6 W & 4.0 UW
AP: AP Language, APUSH, AP Euro, AP Bio, AP Calc AB/BC, AP US Gov, AP Psych
Languages Taken: French (2) and Spanish (4)
SAT: 1440 (retook in November and hopefully 1500+)
ACT: 33 M, 35 E, 32 S, 30 R
SAT II: None rip
Rank: 1st/260ish

In addition to AP classes, I have taken Gen Chem I&II as well as Differential Equations and Multivariable Calc.

I plan on majoring in Political Science (concentrating on American Gov with a secondary in international relations) with a minor in French.

I have super polished essays (worked on them with teachers for hours) and great recommendations (teacher said the best rec she’s ever written).

Super rural school… has never sent a student to a prestigious university (highest is our state school, UNC Chapel Hill. Although, I’m not sure many people have applied upwards of UNC-CH.

EC:
Harvard Medical Research (Chron’s & Colitis Center @ Brigham and Women’s)
Harvard’s Political Science Academy (won overall best policy design)
NC Senate Page (twice)
NC AP Advocate on the Capitol
BETA Club (President)
Science Olympiad (President) (won regionals and made state as a team)
Worked at ChickFilA
NCSkills Member
PFLAG Member (LBGT+ Group)
Work on 3 grassroots campaigns (for NC Lt. Gov, NC State Superintendent, and NC for Warren)
NC Governor’s School (highly competitive summer program… I attended for Natural Science)

Awards:
Departmental Award in APUSH, World History Honors, PreCalculus Honors, AP Lang.
Overall Best Policy Design @ Harvard Political Science Academies
AP Scholar

Overall, I think my standardized tests are slightly lower than the average pool but I feel like my recommendations, essays, and EC (maybe???) will make up for that.

I have an interview on Tuesday for Princeton and I think that will go well as I am a good conversationalist.

Any ideas on my prospects?

2

@inspirezs You are competitive but lack of student body leadership and test scores lessen your chances. How was the interview?

3

My school doesn’t have a formal student body government other than BETA club which I preside over. Of course, Princeton doesn’t know that my school doesn’t offer it so not much of a defense there, ha. However, the interview went super great and the interviewer said I was the most “interesting applicant” she’s interviewed. I think one of my saving graces (which my interviewer agreed with) is that my area produces very very few students who even apply, much less get in. Last year, a friend of mine (no hook, etc with no crazy ECs) scored substantially lower than I did on the ACT and got into Harvard - super proud of her though!

Thank you for the reply!

4

@inspirezs what are your AP scores?

SAT/ACT ok.

GPA / rank / rigor / job / ECs are good. L(G)BT+ not a factor, except possibly how it ties to/validates your ECs.

Rural is a good thing.

Your essays and LoRs will be important.

Good luck!

5

You don’t need student body leadership. Don’t worry about that. You have been President of multiple clubs. You have a great resume. Good luck.

6

@psywar Thanks for the reply! My essay ties directly into my sexuality (no, I didn’t write the “coming out” story that is dreadfully over-relied on). More-so on how I changed the environment I lived in, both an inter- and intrapersonal perspective, by reversing how I saw life as an unauthentic “straight” and masculine male.

AP Score wise aren’t the greatest, but I did submit APUSH (5), AP Lang (4), and AP Gov (4). Most of my AP’s have been online so it has been much of me self-studying.

Although it may be slightly incongruous to say, I think if the application lolled alone on the essay and LoC, I would be a most-competitive candidate.

Thanks again!