<p>The OP is referring to a specific program within Princeton, the Integrated Science Program (in Quantitative and Computational Biology) which is a renowned science program taught by a multitude of professors all of whom are at the top of their fields (top professors in Molecular Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Science together jointly teach the course, which has a reputation as the toughest science sequence at Princeton). It is NOT the same as the overall science scene at any old school. It also cannot be found at “just about anywhere else.”</p>
<p>In my opinion, it’s a very good (and specific) reason to want to go to Princeton. Though in all honesty, the Integrated sequence more or less is geared towards the absolute best scientists in the class, and if you’re struggling in some of your high school science classes, you may not even survive that class. Many who were the best student in decades in their high school classes were quick to drop out.</p>
<p>Incidentally, OP, if in a year you’re still looking at Princeton/Integrated Science, feel free to contact me for more inside information. Despite what you may think of my personality, I actually know what I’m talking about when it comes to these things.</p>
<p>How old are you? My PSAT score sophomore year was an 186; this year, it was a 215. No prep. Some things will just get better with time. </p>
<p>Now, onto your attitude. This thread thus far has done a pretty good job of expressing how silly it is to focus only on top schools, and especially to focus on “Ivy League” schools when the only similarities between Ivies, other than a blanket statement of good academics, is that their football players and lacrosse players and basketball players happen to compete against one another. There are several great schools that offer you the criteria you mentioned, even though you may have to scootch down the rankings into <em>gasp</em> the double digits. </p>
<p>You may find it at a liberal arts college will more intimate student-professor relations, or at a state school with a phenomenal honors program, or, perhaps, at the hyper-competitive school of your dreams. But what you have to acknowledge is that your dreams neither start or end with your acceptance to college. The right college is merely a stepping stone to a great career or, more broadly, a more refined, open-minded worldview. If you view a few super-selective schools as the only key to success, then I doubt how strong your convictions regarding education–both in and outside of textbooks–really are. </p>
<p>You seem like a nice kid caught in a whirlwind of pressure, so I urge you to step back and reprioritize. Get enough sleep. Find ECs that mean something to you, and throw every moment you’re not studying into them. Watch your group of friends (your support system!) naturally expand. Find best friends in unexpected places. Read books that aren’t for school, and marvel in how rebellious you feel. Try disc golf on a Friday afternoon. I guarantee that once you prioritize your sanity, everything else will fall into place–if not the Ivy acceptance you crave, at least the sensibility to understand that only one door of an infinite number has closed and the rest are still waiting, open, for you to seek them out.</p>
<p>I cant tell you all how much I appreciate this advice. My problem is that Ive always been so set on an ivy league school because im a perfectionist who has to put my “all” in everything I do, and I guess reality just hit me making me realize that maybe my best isnt ivy league worthy…Its frustrating knowing youre willing to more and more into something and giving it your all but realizing thats not enough…</p>
<p>It doesn’t mean that you cant go to IVY your life is pointless. Your life didn’t end by just a single failure. So aim for more do not settle for less.</p>
<p>I’m not from the East Coast, so I can’t help you much with school recommendations. However, I can appreciate the frustration a better-than-average student feels when they realize that Ivies are just THAT selective. What’s important is that you get past that initial disappointment and take away the other lesson- that you are still an amazing student, and there are other universities out there that are happy to recognize that. Judging by your GPA and motivation, you shouldn’t think that Princeton is impossible- if you study for your SAT’s and SAT II’s, you’ll have as good a shot as most other unhooked applicants. Apply to your dream school, but don’t kill yourself in the process. Find other schools that you love, including safeties that you might have otherwise overlooked. </p>
<p>There is no shame in being rejected by an Ivy. If you remember that, you should be fine.</p>
<p>I guess reality just hit me making me realize that maybe my best isnt ivy league worthy…Its frustrating knowing youre willing to more and more into something and giving it your all but realizing thats not enough</p>
<p>It may not be enough for undergrad…but who knows for grad school or law school, etc. Right?</p>
<p>Of course it’s frustrating when you try your hardest, and still can’t do something. </p>
<p>But do realize that, pretty soon, that’s just going to be a common and unavoidable part of life. There are going to be classes that you just can’t get As in, jobs you just can’t get, and people of your preferred gender that you just can’t make it work with. You have to learn to deal with that sooner or later; nothing wrong with starting now.</p>
<p>Dont worry about it. you have lots of company with how you are feeling right now. there are TONS of people who dont get into ivy schools. It isnt the end of the world. I bet every honors student has felt like the way you have. I know I have. But you have to realize how many people are NOT even going to college. I only see my own little world of honors students and top grades, scores etc. But I was in the library at my school the other day. At there was a “regular” class in there and when asked how many of them were going to college maybe 3 answered yes? that was out of about 30 kids. You dont know how lucky you are that you will be going to college at all. There are tons of colleges out there that are top notch and not an ivy that are still great places to go. wherever you go, do whatever you need to succeed. I always try to think it doesnt matter where i go as long as i go to college!</p>