Meet With WWS Professor?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

Hi, I’m a high school senior in North Carolina, and I just completed my Princeton interview yesterday at the big interview day for North Carolina applicants, held at NC State.

In short, I thought the interview went very well! I explained how I applied with the intent of concentrating in Politics, and how my experience managing the student part of a campaign in 2016 helped me realize what I want to pursue in college. I also talked about how I love math, as well as my job as a math tutor, and that I would like to get a certificate in Statistics and Machine Learning, or potentially Music Performance or Jazz studies instead (I play the saxophone and compete routinely). Obviously, nothing is set in stone.

He told me that I would not like math courses at Princeton, as they are more theoretical than practical. He then asked if I had looked into the Woodrow Wilson School. My high school does not offer economics, so I said that I didn’t initially apply with the intention to pursue an economics-heavy concentration. Of course, it would be an option down the road should I actually get into Princeton.

At the end of the interview, he offered to set up a meeting for me with a WWS professor, if I were to ever be up in New Jersey. He said WWS would be a much better fit for my interests. I have lots of family in NJ, so going up to campus is not really a big deal; I could miss a day of school and go up for a long weekend. Is that something I should pursue? If it means anything, I have already been on campus, and it was one of the first questions my interviewer asked.

As a side note, how big of a deal are Subject Tests? Princeton has some BAD SAT IIs of mine (I’m talking 600s), but all my other scores are competitive, with my most recent being a 33 on the ACT. My grades on the other hand, are spectacular. If all goes well, I will graduate valedictorian of my class of about 500, and I have only gotten one B in my high school career (AP Physics). As far as ECs go, I went to NC Governor’s School and have earned 6th in the state for alto saxophone in competition two consecutive years, along with other smaller competitions. Would my weak scores really limit my chances at Princeton? So like would it even be worth taking a trip up to NJ?

Thank you so much in advance!

2

bump bump

3

It’s hard to know if or how much this might help you but if it were me I’d jump on the opportunity.

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I think the intent of the offer to set up a meeting with a WWF Prof was informational and something you should definitely pursue if admitted and trying to make a decision on whether to attend Princeton. Meeting with a Prof will have no admissions impact.

I think you already know that your test scores are not going to do you any favors–hopefully you have AP scores to counter balance?

Did you send a music supplement?

5

Thank you guys so much!!

I have decent AP scores that I self-reported. They were almost all 4s. My guess is that my AP scores aren’t really going to do too much by themselves, but I wouldn’t go so far as to say they will counter balance.

My ACTs were certainly much better- I sent a 32 and a 33, and they superscore to a 34. That might possibly balance out a bad subject test. My worst was in physics, but my highest ACT science was a 36. I don’t know if that helps or not.

I didn’t end up sending a music supplement since I don’t plan to pursue music in an academic context; I might play a little in college just for fun- like a jazz ensemble, wind ensemble, or maybe marching band- but that’s it.

Another side question- does Princeton value a peer recommendation? I sent one in, and my friend has incredible writing ability, so I trust it is fantastic. I also asked the teacher I campaigned for to write me an additional letter as well, just to provide insight into the more unique aspects of my EC experience. My essays were strong and quite confident as well, so I bet they will stand out. I don’t know how much the more subjective pieces of the application will help me, but I think those aspects are very strong.

Of course getting into a school like Princeton is a long-shot, but I really appreciate the help!!