Official Princeton University Class of 2018 SCEA Results

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
21

<p>Choose One:
Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2400 single sitting
[</em>] ACT (breakdown):
[<em>] SAT II (place score in parentheses): 800 Math II, USH, and Chem
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/287
[</em>] AP (place score in parentheses): AP Chem, AP World, AP Stats, APUSH – All 5s
[<em>] IB (place score in parentheses):
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: 3 APs (school only offers a few)
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): not much, NMSF, debate awards, USNCO Honors
[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parentheses): Debate (9-12), State Champ in LD, national qualifier, Captain, basically founded the team; Cross Country (9-12, Varsity 10th, 12th); Track (9-10, Varsity 10); UNICEF Club (Co-founder, 10-12, VP); Tutoring (10-12); Beta Club (10-12, Quiz bowl captain and national qualifier)
[<em>] Job/Work Experience:
[</em>] Volunteer/Community Service: Hardly any, tutoring and such
[<em>] Summer Activities: Few; Debate Nationals, Debate camp, etc…
[</em>] Essays: CA was about wanting to be a teacher, 7/10; Supp was about the South 7/10
[<em>] Teacher Recommendations: Fabulous. Off the Charts. 11/10.
[</em>] Counselor Rec: The best ever. 11/10.
[<em>] Additional Rec:
[</em>] Interview: Ehh
[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): South Carolina
[</em>] Country (if international applicant):
[<em>] School Type: Mid-sized public, hasn’t sent anyone to ivies in who knows how long.
[</em>] Ethnicity: White
[<em>] Gender: Male
[</em>] Income Bracket: ~90k
[<em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): NONE
[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[</em>] Strengths: Stats, recs, Debate accomplishments in context of my school
[<em>] Weaknesses: ECs for sure, little community service, Essays (?)
[</em>] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:They saw I’d done the most in the context of my school and with the opportunities I’d been given. Perfect scores surely helped, debate achievements probably locked it in. Still in shock though.
[li] Where else you are applying or have already applied:[/li][/ul]General Comments/Advice/Hindsight: You don’t need a hook, just do the most you can with what you’re given. GO TIGERS CLASS OF 2018</p>

22

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 650 CR 760 MATH 780 WRITING 11 Essay
SAT II: 710 Math II 650 Chem 700 Spanish w/o Listening
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0526
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/160
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chem (4) AP Lang & Comp (4)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Art Portfolio, AP English Literature and Composition, AP Biology, AP Physics (online VHS), AP Spanish 5 Lit, AP Calc AB/BC
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Certificate of Merit from Society of Women Engineers, National Honor Society, Spanish Honor Society, Art Honor Society</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Student Council (officer for 3 years), Field Hockey w/ 2 Varsity Letters, Theater for 4 years, Choral Club, Science/Math Team
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service:
Service Learning Intern at Junior Achievement (nonprofit organization promoting business literacy) and General Office Intern at the Red Cross
Summer Activities: volunteering, field hockey preseason
Essays: according to my counselor, they were good, but not great
Teacher Recommendation: no idea
Counselor Rec: good, probably
Additional Rec: none
Interview: it was…informative. my interviewer had his notebook on the talb,e so I was able to see what he was writing down, which made me less nervous
Other
Intended Major: not sure–Bio
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public, small
Ethnicity: Asian–Filipina
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: not sure
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): uhh…none? </p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: transcript
Weaknesses: standardized test scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I don’t really stand out
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: admitted to Rutgers University New Brunswick School of Arts and Sciences, School of Engineering, School of Environmental and Biological Sciences
General Comments: I hope I am accepted. When apps are viewed again during RD, do they see that I was deferred?</p>

23

<p>SAT scores are more important than GPA for Princeton. A kid in my high school got accepted with a 2330 SAT and a 3.7ish gpa. He was ranked 28/395</p>

24

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2360 — 800M, 800W, 760CR
ACT: didn’t take
SAT II: 800 Math II, 800 Spanish, 770 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.1
Weighted GPA: 4.7
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 Calculus AB, 5 Calculus BC, 5 Spanish Language, 5 English Literature, 5 Physics C Mechanics
Senior Year Course Load: Four honors classes and one AP class
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Scholar, National AP Scholar</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Team Captain and Safety Leader for my FIRST Robotics team, many engineering clubs and classes, music, leader of environmental sustainability program at school, environmental restoration projects, admissions tour guide, Wilderness First rock climbing, skiing
Job/Work Experience: full time bioengineering internship two summers in a row at one of the nation’s leading university medical centers
Volunteer/Community service: Habitat restoration in the Galapagos for two weeks, month-long international service project, playing jazz with my band in retirement homes
Summer Activities: bioengineering internship, built a car over the last three years with my dad, backpacked the Pacific Crest Trail for a month
Essays: 10/10 — very thoughtful, funny, and moving (brought tears to a counselor’s eyes)
Teacher Recommendation: 8/10 probably very good
Counselor Rec: 9/10
Additional Rec: 11/10 rec from my internship director who really admired my work
Interview: a bit awkward but not too bad</p>

<p>Other
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Independent
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: $120,000 - $150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I speak Spanish well.</p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: grades (lowest grade is an A-), SAT, extracurriculars, essays, recs, music
Weaknesses: interview, not a varsity athlete
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: No hooks — Princeton probably could fill a class with white, upper middle class kids from Northern California
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: No where else yet</p>

<p>General Comments:
I was really upset that I didn’t get accepted. I felt like I had everything that I needed—near perfect grades, top of my class, great extracurriculars, and proficiency in a foreign language (I got a 5 and an 800 with ease on both the Spanish AP and SAT II, respectively).
Both of my parents went to college, but I have no Princeton legacy, and we aren’t wealthy potential donors either. No one from my school has ever gotten into Princeton, though, even though it is a very well known school. I really can’t put my finger on any particular thing. Let’s just hope for the best in the spring.</p>

25

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>At least I’m in good company… and congrats to all who were accepted! </p>

<p>Objective:
• SAT I (breakdown): 2300 (2 sittings): 800 CR, 790 W, 710 M
• ACT: didn’t take it
• SAT II: 800 Biology M, 770 German
• Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.5 weighted, my school doesn’t give unweighted, but I’ve calulcated it to be about 3.97
• Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 20% (my school ranks in quintiles)
• AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology (5), Calculus AB (5), English Language (5)
• IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
• Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Calculus BC, AP European History, Honors English, Hebrew Language, Honors Religious Studies, Advanced Art
• Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Scholarship Semifinalist, National Honors Society, 4 regional Scholastic Awards for Writing, state recognized scholar </p>

<p>Subjective:
• Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): literary magazine (editor in chief), equestrian sports (assistant riding instructor), Model UN, yoga club (head), soprano in girls’ choir, cross-country, basketball
• Job/Work Experience: internship with local veterinarian, staff member at riding camp
• Volunteer/Community service: volunteer at science museum
• Summer Activities: mentioned above, plus taking summer school and traveling in the US
• Essays: both great
• Teacher Recommendation: didn’t read them, but one is definitely excellent and the other probably good or very good
• Counselor Rec: also didn’t see, but probably excellent
• Additional Rec: N/A
• Interview: went really well</p>

<p>Other
• Intended Major: physics or economics
• State (if domestic applicant): in the Midwest
• School Type: private
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Gender: Female
• Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none</p>

<p>Reflection
• Strengths: good test scores, multi-lingual, good grades & many challenging courses
• Weaknesses: extracurriculars spread too thin: lots of breadth, too little depth
• Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: basically because of the strengths and weaknesses mentioned above: too good to reject, not good enough to accept
• Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: haven’t heard from anywhere else yet</p>

<p>General Comments: I’m really annoyed. Getting deferred defeats the purpose of applying early. But at least I’m still in the running.</p>

26

<p>2390 SAT, 4 790s in SAT IIs, 8 5s and a 4 so far, 3.9 GPA and 4.0 10-12 GPA, class rank #2/700+, essays that I cried writing</p>

<p>Deferred: this is really hard… I have still not left my room since I checked 5 hours ago</p>

27

<p>Decision: Accepted </p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2280 (740, 740, 800 Writing)
ACT: NA
SAT II: 750 M2, 750 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.98
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 4/435
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5 AP classes excluding Senior Year (5,5,5,4,3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): NA
Senior Year Course Load: All AP classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Bunch of National TSA Stuff</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): TSA, Mock Trial, Honor Society, independent service projects.
Job/Work Experience: Intern at public policy/ economic action nonprofit firm for Bank of America SL, LPWA Senior Staff Writer, Journalist for independent firm
Volunteer/Community service: A bunch from various nonprofits.</p>

<p>Summer Activities:Working out, Coursera classes, etc.
Essays: Pretty good, I think. Supplement essay was a huge risk.
Teacher Recommendation: GREAT.
Counselor Rec: Great.
Additional Rec: Great - from TSA advisor.
Interview:
Other
Intended Major: Economics, WWS
State (if domestic applicant): Washington
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public, Large
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: Around 150 to 200K.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Published research, national leadership and awards</p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: Passion for my study, experience.
Weaknesses: Test scores.
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Essays. That’s gotta be it.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: This was my top choice.
General Comments:
I can’t believe it.</p>

28

<p>Decision: Accepted!!!</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2360 (760 CR, 800 M, 800 W)
ACT: didn’t take
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 Bio-M, 730 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/486
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calc BC (5), Chem (4), Euro (5), US History (4), Enviro (4), English Lang (5), Stats (4), Physics C (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Lit, Spanish 4, Physiology, AP Art History, AP Gov and Econ, AP Spanish, AP Psych, Differential Equations
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit semis, National AP Scholar, usual boring stuff
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): American Red Cross Club (founder and president), Science Club, CSF Club (president), National Honors Society, Varsity volleyball (captain, MVP, scholar-athlete), volleyball assistant coach, UC Davis math circle
Job/Work Experience: tutoring, volleyball referee, babysitting
Volunteer/Community service: volunteer at Science Museum, research team leader for melanoma division of American Cancer Society
Summer Activities: HSHSP, did research on the plant secretory pathway for 7 weeks which used several high-tech procedures for genetic engineering
Essays: Common App (9/10) Supplement (9/10)
Teacher Recommendation: should have been stellar, but didn’t read
Counselor Rec: glowing, “best rec she’s ever written”
Additional Rec: from my friend from HSHSP, showed aspects of my personality not reflected in rest of my app
Interview: Pretty good, most of it was him talking though
Other
Intended Major: Molecular Biology
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: really low (~15k)
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): nope
Reflection
Strengths: stats, research experience, volunteering in science, volleyball, math
Weaknesses: recs may have been a little generic, AP scores, lack of awards, lack of competitions
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: honestly no idea, I was shocked!
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: None so far
General Comments: Can’t believe this is happening! It’s so surreal. My high school mascot is the Tiger, so glad I get to continue donning myself in orange and black!!</p>

29

<p>Decision: Accepted!!!</p>

<p>Omg, I am not usually one to post my stats on cc, but I think I owe this to the community! Some details I prefer keep private - I am sure my friends can tell who I am already LOL</p>

<p>Objective:• SAT I (breakdown): 2250 (2290 Superscore)
• ACT: -
• SAT II: Bio E 800, Math II 780, Literature 780
• Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
• Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): not available
• AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Calc, AP Bio, AP Micro, AP Psych (all 5s)
• IB (place score in parenthesis): -
• Senior Year Course Load: AP Macro, Chem, Physics, French, English Lit, Stats, and Leadership
• Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): not much :confused:
Subjective:
• Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Debate Club (president and founder), Environmental Council (president - 2 years: huge commitment in the school and beyond, founded several programs around it), creative writing, City advisory council executive, marketing intern at tech company, etc.
• Job/Work Experience: Tutoring, and some more tutoring :slight_smile:
• Volunteer/Community service: Seniors home (4 years), children’s parks
• Summer Activities: Shad Valley program! <3, Ivey summer program, volunteering, and bunch of other things
• Essays: Common app 9.5/10, supplement (10/10, I loved it! It was about environmentalism but I reflected my passion in a unique way)
• Teacher Recommendation: AWESOME I love both of these teachers, and they showed me the letters. Glowing for sure.
• Counselor Rec: It wasn’t superb, but it was great considering counselor doesn’t know me too well.
• Additional Rec: -
• Interview: She was fantastic! We talked for a long time, and I learned much more about Princeton - made me fall in love with the school gack (even more). Asked about some generic questions, but then it launched into my enthusiastic rant lol.
Other
Intended Major: Biology
• State (if domestic applicant): -
• Country (if international applicant): Canada
• School Type: Public
• Ethnicity: Asian
• Gender: Female
• Income Bracket: fairly low
• Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Half first gen?
Reflection
• Strengths: Essays, high average, recs, high SAT IIs, depth of extra-curricular commitment
• Weaknesses: SAT I, lack of awards and competitions
• Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I feel so honoured and grateful to be accepted, especially as an International (asian, lol)! Maybe it was because of my passion and commitment into a few areas that shined through, but I think it’s also largely due to my essays.
• Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Nope, didn’t apply else where</p>

<p>General Comments: Essays are key, don’t worry too much about the hard stats - the so-called myth about a certain threshold is good enough? I think it’s true. Ultimately, it’s who YOU are, and how eloquently you present yourself that matters. Show sincerity and love for what you do, and things will naturally fall into their places. CC has indeed caused me a lot of anxiety/ insecurities in the past few years, but after it all, I realized that there is no point in comparing yourself to another. Everyone’s situation is different, and qualified applicants that get rejected perhaps simply belong to another great school. Don’t sweat too much, and have faith in yourself! :smiley: Go Tigers 2018! (PM me if you are a fellow Princetonian - I would love to get to know you guys before next year! Or if you are not, feel free to PM me for tips too. I know how hard this entire process is :)</p>

30

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
• SAT I (breakdown): 2320–800 (CR), 740 (M), 780 (W)
• SAT II: 800 (Math 2), 800 (Bio E), 790 (World History)
• Unweighted GPA/Weighted GPA: 4.0/4.62
• Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1%
• AP (place score in parenthesis): English 3 (5), US History (5), World
History (5), Bio (4), Calc AB (5)
• Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP English 4, AP Government, AP Psychology, Religion, Ceramics, P.E.
• Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Girl Scouts Gold Award; 1 of 10 Girl Scouts in the USA at the UN 57th Commission on the Status of Women in NYC where I delivered a speech about how media fosters gender based violence; National Merit Commendation; Harvard Book Award</p>

<p>Subjective:
• Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Speech and Debate (captain), TASC Core (leadership group), Indian Club (VP), NHS, CSF (VP), Bharathanatyam Dancer
• Job/Work Experience: at my mom’s office, very low key (4 hr/week); Bharathanatyam Dance Instructor (4 h/week)
• Volunteer/Community service: Gold Award Project-built a women’s ward for a hospital in rural South India (cost $20,000), volunteer for 4 years as a peer volunteer for a special needs Bollywood dance class.
• Summer Activities: Research Intern at UC Davis MIND Institute (2013), Shadow a ENT and OBGYN (2013), Volunteer at free eye hospital in India (2012)
• Essays: Common App Essay about my Girl Scouts Gold Award project (9/10). Activities essay- about being a classical dancer (8/10). Quote essay-about experience at UN and what I learned (7/10).
• Teacher Recommendation: No clue, but they like me
• Counselor Rec: No clue, but they like me
• Additional Rec: CEO of Girl Scouts of Northern California-I got to read it, it was glowing (10/10)
• Interview: Great-he was a young doctor and we talked about traveling, ethnic minorities at Princeton, and the research I had done</p>

<p>Other
• State (if domestic applicant): California
• School Type: Private
• Ethnicity: Indian
• Gender: Female
• Income Bracket: <100,000
• Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Princeton University Creative Arts and Humanities Symposium? </p>

<p>Reflection
• Strengths: Work with Girl Scouts on the board, at UN, and building the ward. CEO recommendation
• Weaknesses: Overrepresented minority, my writing is good but not phenomenal
• Why you think you were accepted: Extent of involvement in Girl Scouts is unusual; strong passion for women’s rights
• Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: This was my only early app.
General Comments: This is so surreal, I feel like I am dreaming!!!</p>

31

<p>Since some people had already received decisions through Questbridge and whatnot, let the postings begin! </p>

<p>GOOD LUCK EVERYONE!</p>

<p>Decision: Deferred </p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): didnt send
ACT: 34C
SAT II: 800 Math II, 740 USH
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 8 of 282
AP (place score in parenthesis): USH- 4, Gov- 5, World- 5, Calc AB- 5, Env (current), Stats (current), Euro (current), Calc BC (current)
Senior Year Course Load:
Some AP electives, but we can only take 4 a year, so… I have English and just some other honors classes
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): US Congressional Award, 2013 Outstanding Student with Canadian Brass, some random things
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): 9/10
Job/Work Experience: none
Volunteer/Community service: 400 hours logged with the congressional award
Summer Activities: NC Governor’s School, Rutger’s Young Scholars program
Essays: 8/10
Teacher Recommendation: I don’t know
Counselor Rec: don’t know
Additional Rec: sent one for a music supplement
Interview: went great, was really relaxed!
Other
Intended Major: Math
State (if domestic applicant): NC
School Type: Rural Public
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: > 100,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none
Reflection
Strengths: good extracurriculars and scores
Weaknesses: essays and LoR may not have been good enough
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: probably because of the subjective things, like the LoRs
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: NC State early! Got my safety in
General Comments: congrats to all who got in!</p>

32

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:</p>

<pre><code>SAT I (breakdown): 2070 (790 W, 700 CR, …580 M) (I’m going to retake before RD)
ACT: 30 (35 W and CR, I don’t even remember S and M, but they were kind of pathetic)
SAT II: 570 French w/o listening (should have studied and seen it was a vocab test, not a comprehension test :stuck_out_tongue: I may retake it), 720 Lit
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 UW
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Lang & Comp (4), French (4), US Gov (3)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Macro, AP Lit, AP Psych, AP Euro, French 5, Bible class, Art History, Anatomy & Physiology, Pre-calc
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Commended Scholar, National French Honors Society
</code></pre>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<pre><code>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Speech & Debate (six years of it…national semifinalist in two different types of debate two years in a row, won a few speech events, extemp captain, debate research leader, super involved in it) School paper (two years as columnist, one year as section editor, one year as senior editor)
Job/Work Experience: Part-time nanny during school year; I work for a debate company; regular and French tutoring
Volunteer/Community service: Hospital, library, and church
Summer Activities: Volunteering most years. Worldview Academy. I spent this past summer traveling and teaching debate camps.
Essays: Really personal and introspective. Maybe too much so.
Teacher Recommendation: From my favorite English teacher who liked me well enough
Counselor Rec: My mom…
Additional Rec: Umm I think I used my debate coach? And he adores me.
Interview: Kind of weird
</code></pre>

<p>Other</p>

<pre><code>Intended Major: Psych
State (if domestic applicant): OR
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Homeschooled
Ethnicity: About as white as they come
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 60ish K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): No one in my family has anything above an associates degree…but that’s it.
</code></pre>

<p>Reflection</p>

<pre><code>Strengths: Marked improvement (I got a 1940 the first time I took the SAT and my freshman year transcript is nothing to be proud of). Strong commitment to the activities I’ve stuck with.
Weaknesses: Test scores; I haven’t done very many ECs; I didn’t take five APs my freshman year like some of you crazy people
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: I don’t have great number stats, but I guess I’m kind of unique in some ways.
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Only accepted to Concordia University (in Irvine) so far
</code></pre>

<p>General Comments: Well I cried and laid in my bed in the dark for about five hours, but now it’s time to get my econ grade up and retake those tests and apply to all my other schools and enjoy life, because life is much more than a high school resume. :)</p>

33

<p>Decision: ACCEPTED </p>

<p>Objective:
• SAT I (breakdown): (2200) CR-780 M-700 W-720 (Superscore)
• ACT: (33) Breakdown R-35 W-34 Essay- 12 M-31 S-30
• SAT II: Lit- 750 US History- 730
• Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.942
• Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 8/422
• AP (place score in parenthesis): US History-(5), Gov&Politics-(5), Calc AB-(3), Euro- (5)
• IB (place score in parenthesis): none
• Senior Year Course Load: AP Bio, AP Chem, AP Psych, AP English IV
• Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
o Student Council President of New Jersey
o February 13 Declared “Rachel Yee Day” in my township
o New Jersey Girls’ State Senate President
o Ranked Fencer- Fenced at Nationals
o National Merit Commended
o AP Scholar with Distinction</p>

<p>Subjective:
• Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
o New Jersey Association of Student Councils-NJASC (President)
o Student Council (Overall President, Class VP)
o Future Business Leaders of America (President)
o Action for Africa (Co-founder and Leader)
o Fencing
o Fellowship of Christian Athletes
o Youth Group (Youth Leader)
o Model UN
o Key Club
• Job/Work Experience:
o Intern for the Republican National Committee- Specializing in the Chris Christie Re-Election Campaign
o Cashier at Panera Bread
o Teacher’s Assistant for Chinese School
• Volunteer/Community service: Involvement with State Student Council, Key Club, Church Youth Group, FBLA
• Summer Activities:
o Led the New Jersey delegation at Nationals in Oklahoma for Student Council
o Ran the State Leadership Training Conference
o Fencing-Nationals Reno & Atlanta
o Internship at the Republican National Committee
o Attended New Jersey Girls’ State
o Junior Counselor at the State Leadership Training Conference
• Essays: Luckily my dad and English teacher read it over. My mom’s friend from Yale said it reflected who I was well. Extremely unique and (greatest failure common app) was embarrassing but I was proud of it.
• Teacher Recommendation: Waived my rights- but my one teacher basically made me fill out an additional supplement for her to write her rec. I assume it was in depth and unique.
• Counselor Rec:
• Additional Rec: Executive Director of the New Jersey Association of Student Council- He is such a great writer and he highlighted my strengths in such a positive light.
• Interview: Fairly well, I really connected with my interviewer. It’s much more like a conversation than a high pressure interview.
Other
• Intended Major: Political Science at Woodrow Wilson
• State (if domestic applicant): NJ
• Country (if international applicant):
• School Type: Public- (2,300 students)
• Ethnicity: Asian
• Gender: Female
• Income Bracket: $100,000
• Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none</p>

<p>Reflection
• Strengths: State Presidency, Unique and passionate essays, Unique path untypical for Asians, Possibly fencing…
• Weaknesses:
Class Rank, Standardized test scores, did not include AP tests I plan on taking this year
• Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: GOD’S GRACE I do not kid you.
• Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
Accepted: Rutgers
Applied: UPenn, Cornell, Rochester, Duke
General Comments:
In all honestly, statistically speaking, there is no way I should have been accepted. I prayed so hard for a sign that God exists. I know that it’s only by God’s good grace that I was accepted. Princeton has been my dream school since second grade and I never imagined I would have the opportunity to go. I know I have a responsibility to not only work hard for myself, but also to work hard and use my success to help others achieve their dreams. I feel so blessed. I wish everyone the best of luck in all of their endeavors! Just remember you will end up where you need to be :)</p>

34

<p>Decision: Accepted!</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): didn’t take
[</em>] ACT: 34 (w/o writing) 33 (w/)
[<em>] SAT II: 770 USH, 740 Lit
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 12/604
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): 5’s: Human Geo, World, US History, Lang, Psych; 4: Bio; 3: Spanish Lang (eek)
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): none
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: AP Euro, AP Chem, AP Calc, AP Art History, AP Eng Lit, Comp Apps, Drama IV
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): [/li]lots of creative writing awards (YoungArts Honorable Mention and Merit, Scholastic National Gold Medal, Foyle Young Poet, National Student Poet Semi-finalist, and other university- or literary-journal-sponsored contests) as well as NMSF</p>

<p>[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
(co-Editor in Chief) Polyphony HS: International LitMag for High Schools (check us out and submit yo)
(co-Thespian President) Like 8 school plays, multiple leads, work as stage manager/choreographer/director, also shows at local community theaters
(Captain) Competitive Speech Team: we don’t compete on the national circuit but I had a bunch of state awards
Member of Professional Teenage Improv Troupe
[</em>] Job/Work Experience:
nada
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service:
meal/tutoring program
[</em>] Summer Activities:
Governor’s School
Kenyon Young Writer’s Program
Local theater camp for six years
[<em>] Essays: Since writing/editing is kind of supposed to be my thing, I think they were pretty strong. I took a risk with my CommonApp essay by talking about a weird tradition my oldest friend and I have, rather than an extracurricular or anything really central to my identity. Princeton supp was about how being in an improv troupe was the last thing I thought I’d ever do.
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: Apparently good! One is an English teacher I got close with, and though to other didn’t know me as well, he used to be an admissions counselor so he knows what to say
[<em>] Counselor Rec: I know her surprisingly well for such a big school. I seem to always be popping in asking about something.
[</em>] Additional Rec: Nope, but I did send a poetry collection as an arts supp.
[li] Interview: Went okay I thought. Lady was a little stiff and formal and it was about 40 mins, but she seemed impressed.</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] Applied for Financial Aid?: Oh yeah
[</em>] Intended Major: Who the hell knows. I think I put English down?
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): Arkansas (yay for geographic diversity)
[</em>] Country (if international applicant):
[<em>] School Type: Large (fairly) competitive public
[</em>] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): Half White, Half Filipino
[<em>] Gender: Female
[</em>] Income Bracket: Medium to Low
[li] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.):</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: GPA, extracurriculars, essays, teacher recs
[</em>] Weaknesses: volunteer experience, work experience, some SAT II and AP scores
[li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Well, I was nominated by my school for this thing called Princeton Creative Arts and Humanities Symposium in September, which involved Princeton flying in 90 high school seniors to basically recruit them, although I didn’t realize it at the time. I think being selected for that helped. I also had some unique extracurriculars with my editing/writing/improv, a fair amount of leadership in a few concentrated areas, and essays that I absolutely slaved over.<br>[/li][/ul]General Comments:
This is so incredibly exciting—never expected to see that orange tiger when I clicked the link. Still waiting on financial aid, and I think I’m also going to wait to hear from Duke and Northwestern RD before making a final decision. But it’s such a relief to know now that I’m in to Princeton and don’t have to angst too much in late March/early April! Good luck to all deferred!</p>

35

<p>Posting for my daughter.</p>

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2320 (790M - 780W - 750CR)
[</em>] ACT: 30 (didn’t send)
[<em>] SAT II: 770 Math 2 - 750 Lit - 730 Bio E
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): -
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): Euro (5)
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: AP Calc AB, AP Bio, AP Physics, AP Lit, AP Psych, Strings 12
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):
[/ul]Subjective: Received scholarship at my school, and have received at least 5 major school awards for leadership, service and academic achievement.[ul]
[li] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Book Club (Head), Ivy Newspaper (Editor in Chief), Prefect, Buddy Reading (Co-ordinator), Youth Orchestra, Pit Orchestra (principal cellist), Link Leader, Ambassador, Debate (one of the top 3 public speakers in the school)[/li][</em>] Job/Work Experience: I received an honorarium for being Principal Cellist of the Pit Orchestra since I was playing with professional musicians who were all being paid.
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Buddy Reading Program (3 years), Seniors Lodge (3 years / 120 hours)
[</em>] Summer Activities: Royal Conservatory of Music qualification exams. (Level 8 achieved, I’ve been playing the cello for 2 years)
[<em>] Essays: Really good
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: Outstanding
[<em>] Counselor Rec: I assume it was excellent
[</em>] Interview: It went really really well.
[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] Intended Major: Biology or Physics
[</em>] State (if domestic applicant):
[<em>] Country (if international applicant): Canada
[</em>] School Type: Private
[<em>] Ethnicity: White/Middle Eastern/European
[</em>] Gender: Female
[<em>] Income Bracket: none at the moment
[</em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Passion for music, Battling with life threatening illness, International background (born in Australia, grew up in Singapore and Japan, originally Turkish)
[/ul]Reflection:[ul]
[<em>] Strengths:
[</em>] Weaknesses: No national recognition in any of my ECs. International Student.
[<em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: There are amazing candidates out there!
[</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:
[/ul]General Comments: I’m happy to wait and see what happens.</p>

36

<p>**Decision: Deferred **</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2310 - CR(730) M(800) W(780)
[</em>] ACT: N/A
[<em>] SAT II: MathII (800), BiologyE (770)
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/46
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology (4), Calculus AB (5), Computer Science A (5), English Lang (4)
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: AP English Lit, Honors Chemistry, Honors Human Anatomy, Honors Physics (independent study), Gym, Bible, History, Computer Apps
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Perfect Score in ACSL All-Stars (international) Contest</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): FTC Robotics (4 years; Captain), JV/Varsity Volleyball (4 years), Computer Programming Team (4 years; Captain), Speech Team (3 years), Piano (9+ years)
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: SAT Math Tutoring, Family Business
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Teacher’s Assistant
[</em>] Summer Activities: Center for Talented Youth (CTY), traveling, taking online independent study courses
[<em>] Essays: Overall, pretty good. CommonApp essay is my best essay. I talked about my summer experience with CTY. The long supplement essay is not as good. I wrote about how a pianist inspired me (I’m Asian, so this is not unique). The shorter supplements were great.
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: excellent. from my computer science teacher who loves me, and from my biology teacher who knows my personality well
[<em>] Counselor Rec: assuming it’s alright. she knows me personally
[</em>] Additional Rec: N/A
[<em>] Interview: Mediocrely bad. It only lasted 15 minutes, and my interviewer kept saying I was strong in academics, but too focused on it
[</em>] Supplementary Material: N/A</p>

<p>[/ul]Other[ul]
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): NJ
[</em>] Country (if international applicant): N/A
[<em>] School Type: Private/Parochial
[</em>] Ethnicity: Not Reported (but Asian)
[<em>] Gender: Female
[</em>] Income Bracket (mention if FA candidate): >$150,000
[li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): N/A</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: developed passion for robotics and computer programming, CommonApp essay
[</em>] Weaknesses: supplemental essays, Asian from NJ, didn’t take a lot of standardized tests
[<em>] Why you think you were deferred: I don’t think I stood out a lot in a pool of many qualified applicants.
[</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: none yet</p>

<p>[/ul]**General Comments: ** Congrats to all who got accepted! You truly deserve it!</p>

37

<p>Rachelee22:
Were you recruited for fencing? Did you meet with the Princeton fencing coach, have an OV or get a “Likely Letter”? Congrats!</p>

38

<p>Decision: Accepted!!!</p>

<p>(told to post here by friends so maybe someone will find this useful!)</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2400 (single: 2380-780W)
[</em>] ACT:
[<em>] SAT II: 800x4 (Math II, Physics, Chem, Literature), 780 (USH), 700 (Latin)
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 94%
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/455 (junior year only)
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): 8x5s (Calc BC, Comsci A, Microecon, Macroecon, Physics B, English Lang, USH, Stats) - all self-studied
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: English x3 (one mandatory two electives), World History, AP Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Data (stats)
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): USAJMO top 50, Canadian National Math League 1st place, National AP Scholar (Canada), various national/regional awards in math, classics, comsci, and business
[/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

  • math (club, contests, online courses, summer programs, mentorship, independent reading)
  • classics (contests, online courses, independent reading)
  • comsci (self-run business), baseball (school + travel)
    [<em>] Job/Work Experience: self-run business
    [</em>] Volunteer/Community service: barely
    [<em>] Summer Activities: math camps, baseball, chillin’ w/ friends
    [</em>] Essays (rating 1-10, details): originality 6/10, eloquence 6/10, straight-from-the-gut 10/10
    [<em>] Recommendations (rating 1-10, details):[list]
    [li] Teacher Rec #1: 8/10 (math teacher, loves me but I’m loaft and he knows it :P)[/li] [</em>] Teacher Rec #2: 8/10 (awesome classics teacher)
    [<em>] Counselor Rec: 10/10 (she’s been next-level supportive)
    [</em>] Additional Rec: N/A [/ul]
    [li] Interview: 8/10 (made a lot of jokes, just uber chill) [/list] </p>[/li]
    <p>Other[ul]
    [<em>] State (if domestic applicant): ON
    [</em>] Country (if international applicant): Canada
    [<em>] School Type: Public
    [</em>] Ethnicity: Chinese and proud of it
    [<em>] Gender: Male
    [</em>] Income Bracket: middle/upper
    [li] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): undeniable good-looks, charisma, and winsome personality. And being an international Chinese guy obvi.[/ul]</p>[/li]
    <p>Reflection[ul]
    [<em>] Strengths: math/classics/cs passion, perfect scores
    [</em>] Weaknesses: no hooks, also pretty waste in high school
    [<em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: kept it honest
    [</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: SCEA so nowhere else - no Canadian schools, no safeties/backups/nothing [/ul]</p>

<p>General Comments: still on cloud nine right now. We all know how hard it is to get in but just keep it honest. Don’t be super-stuck-up about grades or scores and life is all good. Once you’re accepted you can look back at how stupid you were to be stressed over this whole process LOL.</p>

<p>And the Ivy League trash-talking has already begun :)</p>

39

<p>Decision: Accepted :smiley:
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown):2400, single sitting
ACT:
SAT II: 790 (Bio-M), 800 (Math II), 800 (USH), 800(Chem)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):4.67
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Does not rank
AP (some self-studied):Bio(5), Chem(4), Stats(5), Env. Sci(5), English Lang &Comp (5), Calc BC (5), USH(5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: Multi, H. English, AP Econ Macro, AP Psych, AP Bio, AP Chem
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):National AP Scholar, USABO semis, published data, National Latin Exam
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): NHS(President), Research Club (President), FPA, Science League, Math League, Columbia SHP, Public speaking club (leader)
Job/Work Experience: SAT Tutor
Volunteer/Community service: EMT-B on first aid squad, hospital volunteer
Summer Activities: EMT-B Course, shadowing docs., Mol. Bio research at Rutgers
Essays: Nothing spectacular, solid 7’s both CA and Princeton,
Teacher Recommendation: Waived right. But bio teacher and I really hit it off in hs, probs a 9. Latin teacher and I were solid- prob 6-7
Counselor Rec: Solid again not sure waived right - 6-7
Additional Rec:
Interview: Great. I had gotten the wrong information and the secretary told me it was for another school. I freaked at first but I improvised. Women was extremely nice and encouraging. It wasnt too long though cause she had another student right after me. I’d say a solid 7.
Other
Intended Major: Mol. Bio
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender:M
Income Bracket:Not really sure…
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): legacy, parent went to grad school
Reflection College is really random. I honestly expected a deferral. I am so grateful to have been accepted. College confidential has really helped me along the way. I know we’ll all end up in great places! In the end, it’s really a crapshoot.
Strengths: Scores, legacy
Weaknesses: lack of national accolades, essays
Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected:legacy def helped
Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected:Rutgers
General Comments: Don’t be driven by getting into the best colleges. Find what you love in high school and pursue that and then success will come chasing after you. For me it was biology. I did competitions and even extended it to research to really show my passion. Whatever it is find something you love and pursue it! Also, I dont think there is a value in joining an astronomical number of clubs. Colleges would rather see much dedication to one area and not scattered activities. I’m super excited. Anyone with questions feel free to PM me.</p>

40

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2330 (760 CR, 770 M, 800 W)
[</em>] ACT: NA
[<em>] SAT II: 790 Physics, 800 Math II, 720 US History
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95 UW, 4.89 W
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/590
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): English Language (5), Physics B (5), Calculus AB (5), Music Theory (5), English Literature (4), European History (4), US History (4), US Gov (3)
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): Music Solo Performance (7)
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: International Relations H/Model UN, IB Physics HL2, IB Math SL, (IB English HL2, IB History HL2)/TOK, AP Spanish Lang, AP Calc BC, Econ, OC Academic Decathlon, Adv. Orchestra
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.) : Indian classical music featured in an international music publication, Gave a TED talk, AIME, FIRST Tech Challenge (FTC) Regional/State Awards (Finalist Alliance, Semifinalist @ LA Championships), NMSF, AP Scholar with Distinction
[/ul]
Subjective:[ul]
[</em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Indian classical music for 10+ years, Organized a benefit concert of Indian music for a local community organization and raised almost $1,000, Gave a TEDx talk on how music fosters cultural connection, Built and Programmed robots for FTC, Founder/President of the community Math Circle
[<em>] Job/Work Experience: N/A (Math, Chemistry, Physics tutoring?)
[</em>] Volunteer/Community service: Taught students from my ancestral village high school in India the basics of programming and robotics, the benefit concert, other CSF/NHS stuff
[<em>] Summer Activities: the benefit concert, Robotics course @ UPenn (SAAST), and visited my relatives/taught children robotics in India
[</em>] Essays: Thought they were pretty good, but after later readings, I felt as if I could have made them more in “my voice.”
[<em>] Teacher Recommendation: From my robotics mentor, and my IB music teacher. Didn’t read, but robotics should’ve been great, and music meh/superficial.
[</em>] Counselor Rec: I go to a large public school, so he didn’t know me much other than with chance encounters. But we had a great interview. We both enjoyed it. He seemed to like me as an individual…
[<em>] Additional Rec: N/A
[</em>] Interview: Meh. I mean it was good, but my interviewer was a busy individual in the medical field, and seemed pretty tired during the interview. Lasted half an hour after I gave detailed responses to the questions, and squeezed as much info about Princeton as I could. Person gave me the “you’ll be successful wherever you go” kinda deal.
[<em>] Arts Supplement: Yup. Submitted some performances of my Indian music. Personally, I really liked them, and felt they displayed a unique part of who I am in a professional way. The IB music people gave me a 7 in solo performance for the same pieces I submitted…dunno if that means much.
[/ul]
Other[ul]
[</em>] State (if domestic applicant): California
[<em>] Country (if international applicant):
[</em>] School Type: Large Average Public
[<em>] Ethnicity: Milk Chocolate Brownie (Indian)
[</em>] Gender: XY
[<em>] Income Bracket: not poor, not rich.
[</em>] Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): hehe. good one.
[/ul]
Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: Strong extracurriculars/awards and service…did stuff that I was passionate about.
[</em>] Weaknesses: Essays too impersonal/plastic? My impression of them changes between readings…so not really sure. SAT US History wasn’t good, but honestly I don’t think my score would’ve been a make or break deal…oh, and being Indian, of course, though I wouldn’t give that up for anything
[<em>] Why you think you were accepted/waitlisted/rejected: Essays maybe?
[</em>] Where else were you accepted/waitlisted/rejected: nada yet.
[/ul]
General Comments: Lol. looking at the accepted asians on this forum…yea i was expecting a deferral. Congrats to those that got accepted!</p>