<p>After doing some research, I have decided that Princeton is my number one choice. The only problem is, during freshman year, I had a lot of personal and family issues first semester (grandparents died, parents divorced, etc.) and my grades were AWFUL (2.3 UW GPA that semester). Since then I have been doing fine. I am taking perhaps the most difficult courseload out of my whole class next year.</p>
<p>I know that Princeton doesn't apply freshman year grades into their GPA calculation, but they will still see them on the transcript and that semester is bringing down my overall GPA and rank. When I apply, I will have about a 3.72 UW overall GPA (that one semester really screwed me over. I'd have a 3.95 otherwise). I can't say my rank with certainty, because I don't know how other students will do, but I estimate that if I am not in the top ten when I apply then I will be very close to it (because rank in my school is done by weighted GPA). My test scores will be up to Princeton caliber, and my essays and recommendations will be great. </p>
<p>What I'd like to know is how much that one semester will bring down my chances. Do you think that a student like me still has a realistic chance at Princeton or some other top ten schools? Please be honest. Furthermore, what should I do with ED/EA?</p>
<p>Any advice, comments, whatever would be appreciated greatly. Thank you very much for your time.</p>
<p>can u share some of ur other stats/ecs/location/legacy/urm etc??</p>
<p>there is a section in the app that allows u to explain any specific instances that might have affected ur app/stats etc. and u can surely explain ur situation there. Also, remember that adcoms are human as well. They know that ppl go through tough times (or even have a bad day on the final exam day) and hence they try to look at your overall picture.</p>
<p>as far as applyin. if pton is ur #1 choice, apply ED</p>
<p>as far as ur chances at top 10, as cambridge uni. had it on their website last year
"we cant offer you admission, unless you apply!" so apply for sure and hope for the best. you will do fine. good luck</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. The reason I didn't post all of my info is because I just wanted to know how much that semester would hurt me, not actually my chances (because I'm only going to be a junior next year and don't have SAT, ACT, etc.)</p>
<p>I'm not a legacy or a URM. Does Princeton really use location as a factor? I didn't know that. I currently live in Florida.</p>
<p>For ECs, right now they're probably about average for Princeton but next year I'm hoping to start some clubs and organize some things (all I need is a teacher sponsor). If things go well I may even have a column in the local newspaper.</p>
<p>Again, thanks for your reply. I am definitely going to apply. I've heard that Princeton is switching from ED to EA soon. How much difference will that make?</p>
<p>:) you have good 2 years ahead of you, so dont worry about it right now. Just try your best to improve your grades in junior and senior year and you will be fine. I dont know for sure if the freshman grades will hurt you or wont matter, because no1 knows what is going through the adcom people's mind. </p>
<p>But the thing is those grades have already been awarded and you cant change it, so just try to concentrate on what you can change - i.e. your grades in junior, senior year, your SATs, your ECs, your application, etc. etc.</p>
<p>location helps if you are from ND, MS, etc. coz colleges dont get as many application from these states hence competition is lower. Unfortunately, FL is one of those underrepresented state. Column in the newspaper is fabulous, congratulation on atleast having that possibility.</p>
<p>if pton switches from ED to EA than the competition will increase because the # of applicants applying early might go up as well. I dont know much about how much difference it would make.</p>
<p>
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After doing some research, I have decided that Princeton is my number one choice.
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</p>
<p>You should certainly plan to apply to Princeton, but since you are only a soph, you really can't have researched schools that much. Why Princeton? Have you visited other colleges? It's great to have goals, but too much single-minded focus on one place is really not healthy , especially when there are so many great schools out there.
Without legacy, URM status, athletic talent, or another compelling hook, you probably will not be accepted at Princeton. That sounds harsh, I know, but you have to realize that 90% of the applicants, world-wide, are rejected. Probably half of those are very qualified applicants. And you're wondering if a poor freshman year will hurt you, yet even a perfect freshman year would hardly set you apart from the thousands of other applicants.
It's great that you're thinking about colleges now, as you can get involved in your extracurricular activities, study hard, and research schools as you develop your interests. You need to find other desirable choices, however. I've seen too many kids crushed because they had no back-ups that they found compelling, simply because they never bothered to look anywhere else once they had "decided."</p>
<p>dont worry =P u should be fine. especially if u do well junor year (the most important year) ur gpa will go up. if ur test scores are good, and your grades (besides for freshman year) are decent you will be good =P</p>
<p>I agree about including an explanatory note. I'd suggest asking your guidance counselor to include it in your rec, to make it sound like less of an excuse. (i.e. "CheshireCat struggled with family issues during his freshman year, but managed to overcome his difficulties...")</p>
<p>Then, print out A.S.A.P.'s post and tape it to your bathroom mirror. Read it every day while you wait for your response and get excited about your safeties. This isn't to be harsh, but because it'll hurt less that way if you're one of the 90%.</p>
<p>Finally, on an unrelated note: cheers for the class of 2007! (Yale hopeful here...it'll be tough.)</p>
<p>pentasa: I've heard that Princeton is one of the few places that completely recalculate your GPA.</p>
<p>thisyearsgirl: I've been wondering about the guidance counselor recommendation. How much do colleges really weigh it? Because I go to a fairly large public high school where each counselor deals with hundreds of kids. I really doubt that they know any of them well. Also, the only way to even speak to your counselor is to make an appointment, and even that can take several weeks. Honestly, I can't imagine my counselor sending out nearly as good of a recommendation as my teachers would simply because he has to deal with so many kids and doesn't have the time to really get to know anyone.</p>
<p>A.S.A.P.: Thanks for the advice. I just want to say that Princeton certainly isn't the only school on my list, and I know that many well qualified applicants are rejected. I just said that Princeton is my number one choice. I never said it was the only school I was going to apply to.</p>