[Low GPA/High ACT] Can I get in?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>3.3 UW / 4.0 weighted
What's always dragged my grade down has been my math grades. I usually get high 80s to low 90s in all my sciences and humanities, including APs, but I've never seemed to be able to break out of the low 80s in my math classes.
Also, my grades definitely show an upward trend, the last semester of my Junior year I hit a 3.6 GPA, and I hope to continue that in the first semester of my Senior year.</p>

<p>SAT - I got about 2000 first time around, without studying, so I think I could bump that up to at least a 2100, hopefully higher, taking it the second time around after some studying. </p>

<p>SAT II
Chem - 780
Math II - 770</p>

<p>ACT - I took the ACT because my friend suggested it, and I was pleasantly surprised to find my scores were very competitive.
35 Composite
English - 36
Math - 36
Science - 33
Reading - 35</p>

<p>Honors Classes:
Geometry
English 10
Chemistry
Physics
Independent study Architecture</p>

<p>APs:
Chem - 4
Language and Comp - 5
US History - 5
Biology
Literature
Computer Science
European History</p>

<p>Extracurriculars:
Four years of Varsity Cross Country - Senior year as captain
Two years of Indoor Track
Four years of Spring Track
Volunteer french teacher for 5-6 year olds - an hour weekly for six months
Volunteer teacher at a computer camp for kids - 160 hours
Three years of Science Olympiad - I'm a state medalist and my team placed 3rd in the state in my first year - I'll be an officer on the team next year (huge time commitment, upwards of 400 hours per year, I'll be writing one of my essays on this)</p>

<p>I'm not sure which category to place this one under but, I attended a two week accredited summer-college business program at Northeastern University.</p>

<p>I'd be applying regular decision.</p>

2

<p>Your grades and SAT scores are probably too low for Princeton. That being said, if you make a Herculean effort the first semester of senior year, you could help your GPA, and of course you can raise your SAT–try for 23</p>

3

<p>Sorry, it posted before I was done…continuing:
…2300+ to raise your chances. If your essay is phenomenal, you can sometimes get admitted because of that. If your EC’s are relevant to your chosen major, and the classes you do poorly in do not have to do with your major, then you have a good chance! Also, if your xc times are fast enough, try to get recruited (you need at least a sub 20:15 5K). Good luck!
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1365139-chance-me-princeton.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/what-my-chances/1365139-chance-me-princeton.html&lt;/a&gt;
Thanks! ;)</p>

4

<p>Ps: you might want to apply EA, because it raises your chances and it’s non-binding.</p>

5

<p>Yeah, I’d say highly unlikely. One thing that could be in your favor is if those grades were attained at one of the nation’s top high schools. But they’re still low and you’d need some out-of-the-world stellar items elsewhere on your app to compensate.</p>

6

<p>I disagree with PrincetonPreppy, your SAT scores are irrelevant. Since your ACT scores are outstanding and you only need to send EITHER SAT or ACT, I wouldn’t waste any more time on the SAT. Having said that, your grades are low - probably not what Princeton is looking for unless as a track guy you are running sub 1:50 in the 800. Still, it’s never too late to improve your grades. You have to look beyond the undergraduate years to where you ultimately want to be and chart that course.</p>