My Truth, My Creed

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>I just wanted to say, I am ridiculously impressed with anyone who gets a 2300+ SAT score. I am quite impressed with any 2200's as well. I have not studied a whole lot for the SAT. I put in an hour or two each week, studying words and strategies. I consider myself relatively smart, and I am pulling around a 2000 SAT score. </p>

<p>Now, if I studied intensely, I could maybe get a 2200. However, that would take a lot. My mind just isn't built for standardized tests, I never do well on them. I also don't like studying.</p>

<p>Without studying I got a 1500/2400. I know I am no idiot, I take challenging classes and get high A's.</p>

<p>So I just hope everyone can be a little bit proud of themselves, anything 2200+ is top, top percentile. </p>

<p>I used to consider myself one of the "CC'ers", but with my low test scores, I am no where near good enough to get into a top school; despite my perfect GPA and awesome extracurriculars.</p>

<p>When I was just a freshmen I stumbled upon this site. I thought I had found the secret society of Ivy League people. I devoted my high school years to achieving what people on this site do, and I never came close. I am now a junior, and I will be happy if I simply get into the honors program at UF (an excellent school, nonetheless). I used to think I was a "genius", but that's out of my league. I am not the kid at math competitions who always wins. I am not the kid who goes to national academic decathlon competitions. I have the reputation at my school as a genius, but I know the truth. People at my school who are generally bad students and get mediocre grades manage to get excellent SAT scores. I think a good comparison for Ivy League schools is simply that they are like celebrities, and only the very lucky or very smart can achieve their stature.</p>

<p>I realized a few months ago that I will never be able to measure up to you super-human people. A concentrated number of people in one area, this website, manage to scour the globe and attend famed schools. You leave me in awe. Be proud.</p>

<p>One fact that really hurt me was that my own father went to Princeton. When he was a kid, he was the model CC'er. What he did after Princeton is not important here.</p>

<p>When I realized bad schedule decisions would make me rank 19 and not 1, I grew dissatisfied. At my school this rank is a big difference from 1. I had only one AP class while others had three, and I was perfectly capable of acing five AP classes at one time. </p>

<p>Bad decisions and low test scores ("low" is a relative term) have made me think long and hard. </p>

<p>I was dying so, so badly to go to where my father went, and I knew legacy at Princeton would help me. I wanted to apply to twenty different schools, all Ivies included. I wanted to live the dream and impress my peers. I idolized members of the site. I explored this site's nooks and crannies, searching for the elixir of life, the secret thing that I could do to gain the esoteric knowledge that CC'ers possess.</p>

<p>I realized recently that the elixir of life does not exist, and nor does esoteric academia. It simply requires a relatively smart mind. The rest is hard work and conditioning.</p>

<p>When I realized that there was no chance I would get into Princeton or Stanford, my dream schools, I began talking with my parents. My parents want me to attend the University of Florida, and encouraged me to do well there, then go to Ivies for grad school. I was under pressure to impress my friends at school, all whom vie to become the cliche surgeon and go to Harvard Medical School.</p>

<p>My father told me stories of his time at Princeton. He went into academic shock, and has never recovered. Every person in hid graduating class was just like him: Near perfect and very competitive. Academics are hard, and the weather is cold. Much is expected of you. I will not go into this any more.</p>

<p>So here I write, a general summary of my thoughts. I have been very pensive for the past few months.</p>

<p>My thoughts are that I can go to the University of Florida and do very well. I can have a smooth transition to college. I can visit my parents, as I live near Gainesville. I can leave college debt free by being in-state. </p>

<p>The best part is, I can still go to Princeton or Stanford for grad school!</p>

<p>The lesson I have learned is this: Whether you go to Harvard, or you go to Brevard Community College, you can be successful. A good argument against this is that people who are rich and famous have a trend of going to the top tier schools. These are only the famous people, and a select few at that. Life is not over if you do not get into an Ivy or top school for undergraduate education. Also, people will not look down upon you for it. Other schools have just as my school spirit outside of the Ivy bubble.</p>

<p>Sometimes going to a state school, or the equivalent, is good. Plus, state schools are still well-respected. In fact, my dad sometimes is resented because of his going to Princeton. It may seem like others are jealous, this is true. However, in this business world, this is bad.</p>

<p>Some people, including myself, like the Ivies just for the architecture, history, and "bubble" that they bring. I won't lie, going to Princeton seems very personal and very fun. Other schools have this too. Other schools are well respected, too.</p>

<p>To stop rambling, I say to you this: </p>

<p>The point of my story was to say how I came to a conclusion.</p>

<p>Where you go to college is not as life-impacting as you think. Not getting into Princeton will not be the end of the world. Yes, the magical land of Princeton has amazing spirit, and the tiger mascot is so cool. </p>

<p>Wearing that Princeton t-shirt and actually being able to say you go there would bring such personal pride.</p>

<p>Yes, being a Princeton alumni is great, but stopping and appreciating other things in life is important too. </p>

<p>Going to Princeton is not going to solve all of your problems, it may make more.</p>

<p>I am not bitter, just opinionated.</p>

<p>Please be happy, be proud, and be successful. Graduate school is another opportunity to get into the schools of your dreams if you miss out "this round".</p>

<hr>

<p>If you read the whole thing, thank you. If you skimmed it, read the bottom.</p>

<p>Do not say anything if you don't have anything nice to say.</p>

<p>I am very sincere, please do not mock me.</p>

<p>Thank you for your time, have a happy day.</p>

<p>Thank you for reading.</p>

<p>P.S.-I am a high school junior. If you have any questions, feel free to ask me.</p>

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<p>I lol’d (10char)</p>

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<p>Very nice read. Very mature.</p>

<p>And I’ll read this again if I don’t get into Princeton - (2014 applicant). So I might re-search this forum for this thread again in April.</p>

<p>Best wishes for college and beyond!</p>

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<p>Junior… You still have the chance.</p>

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<p>Have you considered taking the ACT? It tests differently than the SAT and some people find they do better…
I hope that you will not be discouraged, and that you will continue to put your best effort in to your schoolwork and in to life.
Good luck!</p>

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<p>Terrific post. Like stressedmom said, try the ACT. If Princeton is your dream, don’t give up yet! As a Floridian, I know UF is a wonderful school and if you do decide to go there, I hope you have a terrific time.</p>

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<p>Great post, but don’t give up man. I was in a similar situation to you. Thought I was relatively smart, did well in school, but first time I wrote SATs even after “studying” I got 1990. It was then I realized that if hundreds of kids on CC can do it, theres no reason why I can’t. I always thought of myself as fairly smart, and deep down I knew I was capable of more. 3 months later, after much studying which no doubt was difficult, I sit with a 2230 - not spectacular compared to CC’s standards but to hell with that, I worked my behind off and have been lucky enough to reap the rewards. I think I’m rambling too, but the point is that yes sure you are being pragmatic by thinking about UF, but nonetheless, do not lose that sense of hope/wonder you have for Ivies in fear of failure.</p>

<p>P.S. We’ll find out how I did in April lol</p>

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<p>I am going still going to apply, despite this post. I still don’t believe legacy makes up for a lack of course rigor, my greater fall. Thank you for the encouragement.</p>

<p>This post came from deep inside me. I can say honestly it is completely true, and I am glad people agree with me. It is not the end of the world to be rejected. I hope reading it relaxed some people.</p>

<p>If anyone likes interesting facts: My dad was in the class of '85. The same class as someone famous. Anyone know who?</p>

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<p>you, sir, are my god. Or are you female? Your writing style’s male. :D</p>

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<p>Michelle Obama!!! :D</p>

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<p>Yes, Michelle Obama. Ingraham was Dartmouth. Also, I am a male. I was in a trance when I wrote this…I have to figure out how to control that mental state now…</p>

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<p>whatever helps the OP sleep at night</p>

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<p>i think that was amazing =)
read the full thing.
the topic is obviously cliche, but the voice you bring to it has some conviction that really touches the reader. thanks for that.</p>

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<p>While I do applaud your maturity, I have a better idea.</p>

<p>Study for the SAT. It is really not that bad. You are obviously a skilled writer and have a solid grasp of the English language – you just need some more practice. The vast majority of CCers who have 2300+ scores did not get their scores by half-assing their study regimen. They worked hard for those scores. You, however, have the benefit of being a legacy. If you can swing 700+ in each subject, you will be in decent shape.</p>

<p>Don’t give up.</p>

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<p>

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<p>word. 10char</p>

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<p>Lovely post</p>

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<p>Wow. This post really relieves me.</p>

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<p>I do agree with J M. You can get a good SAT score. You’re close.</p>

<p>The one thing you may have hurting you is the class difficulty. If you are not taking too many AP’s or honors, I could see it hurting you.</p>

<p>I guess the legacy will come into play, and only time will tell as to how much it will help you.</p>

<p>On topic: Great post! I read it all. It reads like a book.</p>

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<p>I truly believe that ANYONE with reasonable intellectual ability can score SUPER well on the SAT. There are not intelligent people who CANNOT do well on standardized tests. They just don’t approach the test with the proper mindset and strategy. There used to be a site called “Mystery Tutor” that gave great SAT advice. Unfortunately this site is no longer, but you can still find some of the materials online. Give it a shot.</p>

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<p>Dude, don’t give up. That’s called quitting. And it’s exacerbated by the fact that you have a legacy. That should be motivation for you…</p>

<p>The SAT is not that hard. The writing portion is common sense, the math is basic, and the critical reading section just takes practice.</p>

<p>I got a 1,950 as a freshman who hadn’t completed either Algebra 1 or Geometry and who hadn’t taken any SAT classes. I got a 212 on the PSAT this year. And those scores aren’t even good for people my age. </p>

<p>If you are as smart as you profess to be, then getting a 2200 or higher shouldn’t be difficult.</p>