Noooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>To Senioritis-Galor (and everyone else?), the impression that I have gotten from reading this thread is that everyone who has elaborated on what they did to get into Princeton has done so to help the OP. I think the OP can benefit from hearing about the (realistically-achievable) things people have done to get in, e.g. show a passion in an extra curricular activity or write a good, heartfelt essay. I'm not trying to bash you at all, but perhaps you've misinterpreted the intentions of some of these posters? </p>

<p>As for the facebook group, I go on it everyday and have yet to come across someone who is morally superior or aloof. Everyone is incredibly friendly and excited about Princeton and about meeting everyone else. (the Yale group is similar in this way). (To prospective Princetonians, it's still an "open group", so feel free to go on it and get a feel for what the class of 2012 is like.) Alumni, friends who are at Princeton and who've visited, and people I've met have all told me that Princeton's campus is one of the friendliest, most down-to-earth they've been to. I've been told its student body is the most egalitarian, and with over half the students on Financial Aid, it's also socioeconomically diverse. Yes, Princeton does have a "snobby" stereotype, but while it may have been true decades ago, it isn't now. "This Side of Paradise" was written 88 years ago, and a lot has changed since then. Entering students who haven't visited sometimes worry that the rumours about the snobby stereotype is true, but they find it isn't. I have yet to hear about someone who isn't incredibly happy at Princeton. </p>

<p>Sorry for rambling on! Perhaps SenioritisGalor will jeer at me for responding directly to her/his post, but I hope we can just be nice to each other and use this forum to help inform people about college / admissions. Princeton and Penn are both great schools, and I wish you the best of luck. </p>

<p>To everyone who is considering Princeton, I urge you to VISIT and get a feel for the school. If you can't, talk to people who have, current students there, (recent) alumni, friends who have visited. You might find it isn't the best "fit" for you. You might also fall in love with it. But please don't make up your mind based on a 'stereotype' or rumours, or you might miss out on something wonderful.</p>

<p>Back to the OP's question (lol, sorry!): I am not nationally ranked in anything. I pursued activities I loved such as debating (didn't win any competitions) and school publications and I tried my best to write a good essay. I didn't win any awards (except for a book award in my class) and I don't have a "hook". Feel free to PM me for more information (this is a public forum after all). :)</p>

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<p>alfred -
high school students (especially those living near a university) often have the chance to work with a professor on a research project. When the professor publishes a paper, the student is listed as one of the authors. This is probably how most high school students are able to say they have published science research. I don't think it is typically a project of their own undertaking where they are the lead author, although I guess it's not impossible.</p>

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<p>JoeTrumpet is quite humble IMO. Genuinely so. Read some other posts.</p>

<p>You know, I think on these boards everyone should use the technique they recommend to combative couples. Use "I" language. As in, "I felt uncomfortable at Princeton" vs. "Princeton is full of elitist snobs".
And, BTW, I still want to know what the word elitist means in this context:).</p>

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<p>Calculus09: I did not get in (waitlisted), but I think your statement shows a great deal of ignorance about the college admissions process as well as a good deal of immaturity.</p>

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<p>WHAT???</p>

<p>Explain what you mean gbh875.</p>

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<p>Vango- Thanks! That definitley makes sense.</p>

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<p>hey what extracurriculars should i do? i live in southern california, and im currently doing hospital volunteering, CSF, key club, math club, sports. how should i do stuff so it looks good for college? i want to get into stanford, harvard. should i try to become a president of one of these or somethig?</p>

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<p>First of all, it seems absurd if you want to be taken seriously to title your thread "Nooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!" Second, how can you seriously think that everyone who gets into Princeton is "ranked nationally in something other than grades." There are hundreds of people every year who get into insanely selective universities, like Princeton, who are just excellent, well-rounded students. </p>

<p>I honestly do not see how you could get the impression that every single student at Princeton, and similarly selective schools, is freakishly good at something. While it is undoubtedly true that some students do fall into this category (see thread on people competing in the Olympics), if you visit Princeton or speak to anyone who goes there, you will see most people there are in fact normal people.</p>