<p>My son received an unsolicited letter and application from Princeton urging him to apply, and stating they got his name from the College Board. He had no intention of applying because he thought he had no chance. He probably still does not. He has a 93% unweighted average at a selective school SAT: CR 770, Math 690., SATII's 740, 710. Average EC's and average recs. He works part time and also does community service and tennis. We are middle class, parents are college educated, he is Puerto Rican and Irish. Is this just a come on to boost their applications numbers?</p>
<p>First off, your son, because of his minority status, has excellent chances at Princeton. No- getting application forms does not matter much. Of course, he shouldn't apply if he does not want to go to P'ton, but trying out certainly would not hurt!</p>
<p>Thanks for your reply. I guess I am just wondering if this is just a form letter that goes out to everyone who scores over 1450. If it is, and does not mean anything, I don't know if he would be wasting the application fee in applying. Yes he is Latino, but is not first generation or disadvantaged. If everyone gets these letters as a matter of course, then maybe we will say our time and money. Has anyone had any experience with this?</p>
<p>IS it a generic letter? I mean, Ive got mail from Harvard but its just those general kinds that they send to people who do well on standardized tests. Unless the letter is personal, then I think its just the general college mail that we all get</p>
<p>It is addressed "dear Student" but it differs from the other mail he has received from other Ivys in that it came with an application, even though he never requested one</p>
<p>I received a similar package last year from Harvard. I ended up getting waitlisted. I'll be honest: I think your instinct is correct, that they are just sending them out to certain students with scores at a set mark, etc. But I also think that it wouldn't hurt to apply. Especially as an URM. Not too much extra work, potentially life changing pay off. Go for it!</p>
<p>I suppose it came with a Princeton view book as well?
We received two of these in the course of a week back in December 2003. My son's scores were a little lower than your son's.</p>
<p>They get your address from the College Board from SAT registration.</p>
<p>We did a rush application, he visited the campus which he fell in love with, and was rejected in April 2004.</p>
<p>The good news is he took a gap year, reapplied and is now a Freshmen in Princeton.</p>
<p>I would say that if your son has already worked on the Common App then do the Princeton Supplement and send it in. If the application fee is a hardship then call admissions and ask for a fee waiver.</p>
<p>Does he have a special talent that can be documented?
Where do you live?
All these things will affect the outcome.
You won't know if you don't try:)</p>
<p>We live on Long Island, and has no special talent that can be documented. The usual EC's, local tennis team, school clubs, community service, works as a life guard. The fee is a hardship- when you start sending out alot of them! We probably can not get a waiver. It is not a big deal, but it just seems like such a stretch for him. All that stands out about him is the URM status and the SATs. (I also like his essay, but what do I know?)</p>
<p>its worth nothing, spam from princton is still spam. even so, your son should apply, it never hurts.</p>
<p>Where else is he applying? Anywhere ED? </p>
<p>Princeton's admission office gives a lot of weight to the essays.</p>
<p>We live on Long Island as well and that works against most candidates.</p>
<p>he applied Amherst ED, Obviously will withdraw all other apps if accepted. Applied Williams, Tufts, Darthmouth, wash U, Bucknell, Villanova, Lafayette</p>
<p>Princeton is more selective than Dartmouth or Amherst but not that much so. He has a decent chance at all three.</p>
<p>What a fantastic and well chosen list. Have you seen the PBS video about Amherst? A very informative piece that can be hard to watch.</p>
<p>My son amazingly received offers from Williams (early write letter)
Amherst and Lafayette where he was awarded the Marquis Scholarship. Your son's scores would qualify him for that as well.
If he is awarded that you will be notified in mid March.</p>
<p>Please keep the board posted to his acceptances whether they be ED or RD.</p>