<p>...you have a SAT I score lower than 2300 (mine is 2240 to be exact), have subject tests in the 740-750 range, and not have an athletic/legacy/URM hook? I realize there is so much more such as ECs (which are on par with literally any other suitable candidate [leadership positions, sports, volunteer work, a passion in my hobby, etc.]) and Essays but from this base standpoint, is it possible?</p>
<p>I got accepted EA 2 days ago. I was ranked 50th at my school, class of 460. Unweighted ranking was about 120th. 35 act. no leadership positions. no awards. 3 ec’s: science olympiad, polish school, and church lector. </p>
<p>make your essays stand out A LOT. its still a crapshoot, but sell yourself in the essays. What makes you UNIQUE. if it has anything to do with academics or research or volunteering, then you are BORING to them.</p>
<p>Acrylicsalmon, forgive my cynicism and stereotyping (sometimes they are true…no harm intended), but are you a minority of any sort?</p>
<p>nope. white polish american. no hooks. </p>
<p>I am not what you’d expect to be a future ivy student. </p>
<p>I was true to my passions and to myself, and princeton liked it enoguh to accept me. Dont paint a fake image of yourself. Im an academically lazy but successful outspoken liberal who loves biking and skating. So i wrote about that. That is the best advice i can give</p>
<p>2240 and mid 700s is totally fine.</p>
<p>You need to package your app and market yourself well. Write strong and unique essays.</p>
<p>You’re literally nuts if you don’t apply because you think your numbers are too low.</p>
<p>I was deferred SCEA with a 2280 (800 W, 800 CR, 680 M (LOL!!!)) Also, my subject tests really suck (do they seriously only look at the top two? In which case, 770 Lit and 680 (!!!) French with listening). Are those scores killing me? Should I try to retake anything or just send them some writing samples and maybe a letter expressing interest? AHHH!! I would give anything to be un-deferred…</p>
<p>But I think your scores are fine, especially since your subjects are good. I think my 600-range scores killed me…ugh</p>
<p>^It’s not all about the scores, sheesh! Did you even read the posts above?</p>
<p>Much obliged everyone, I shall throw my hat into the ring. I’m just so disillusioned these days. Top 3 kids in my highly competence private school all with SAT I’s 2390 or higher and 800s on all subject tests got deferred from Yale. A runner who is barely qualified is going to Prrinceton, a football player once again not nearly as qualified is goin to Yale. And another kid is goin to Dartmouth for crew…I mean wth…</p>
<p>@FinalEyes: I totally agree with you… I’ve become so disillusioned. I was deferred from Princeton with solid ec’s, great test scores, solid gpa (valedictorian) and what I thought were interesting essays… I understand Princeton is a reach for everyone, but so unfair when people like athletes get in without any good academics… I just don’t understand what they’re looking for…</p>
<p>Its not about being the smartest kid in school. or the best football player. Its about being well rounded and following your hopefully unique passions…</p>
<p>Acceptance to an Ivy League is a total crap-shoot. Many highly qualified applicants are rejected because there simply is not enough space. When you have the great scores, the ECs, the letters, the essays, even an awesome person with “unique passions”, there is still A LOT of luck involved. So don’t get cocky even if you are accepted. Just be grateful. 
In answer to the OP’s question, I have heard that the lowest SAT threshold is about 2200 SAT. Anyone who’s attained that has proven they can do the work. A person with a 2200 SAT is just as qualified as someone with a 2400.
That’s what I’ve heard from admissions peeps anyway.<br>
Good luck to you all.</p>
<p>@person123456789,</p>
<p>You should do some research re the Ivy League Academic Index and how that applies to recruited athletes. Afterwards, you may want to retract your statement that "athletes get in without good academics.</p>
<p>An applicant with a 3.8 GPA, SAT of 1950 and a 93 mph fastball will bring more value to the university than yet another whiny valedictorian.</p>
<p>I don’t really know about the statistics for athletes - I’m just speaking from personal experience. And I by no means expected an acceptance as I understand it’s a crapshoot. I was just sharing my own frustration with the system, and I’m sure it’s how many other people feel about it.</p>
<p>None of those should have any effect on your application. I had a 2260 (though admittedly my writing was 660) and I was just accepted SCEA. 2 of my subjects were in the same range as you just said. Your scores are good enough that they will not affect you so it really has to do with everything else. Make your essays excellent and your extracurriculars shine. You can do it</p>
<p>I just wish my SAT I math wasn’t such garbage (720, 3 wrong!). 800 Math II but still wth</p>
<p>Somewhere I read, that top schools are looking to build a community. If everyone is a 2300+ 4.0 that would make it boring. Yes, they will take like half of those applicants and then they will spread it with other “unique” folks. And this is on top of the “hooked” applicants.</p>
<p>Another thing I heard from an admission was - everything is good but just one so-so recommendation from a teacher will do more to destroy your chance than just a single B.</p>
<p>@tryingforcollege: exactly. and its easier to get in in the “unique” group because theres a lot less applicants and they cant really all be lumped together</p>
<p>Generally very selective schools won’t care about your Math 1 score, particularly if you have an 800 in Math 2.</p>
<p>1- You are competitive for Princeton
2- If all a kid has is stats (might be #6 above?) you will almost assuredly not get in
4- If you don’t apply you will not get in.
5- If you do apply its a REACH . . for almost everyone.</p>
<p>GO FOR IT . . . do NOT let anecdotes or data-poor generalizations or Old People’s opinions (“I got in slam dunk in the 1980s with 700s, so I’m sure you’re a shoo-in”) get in your way or get you down.</p>
<p>And . . . love thy safeties :-)</p>
<p>I got into princeton with 1560/2400 in my SAT 1… my SAT2s were between 650 and 690. How did I get in with such low scores when Im not a legacy/urm/athletic recruit? I have no clue and I honestly dont care because SAT scores are just a part of your application…I dont get why everyone fuses over it so much.</p>