Official Princeton University Class of 2019 SCEA Results

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
21

<p>[ size=4][ color=red][ b] Decision: Rejected **[/color][/size]</p>

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2400 (800 m, 800 w, 800 cr)
ACT (breakdown): didn’t take
SAT II: 800 math 2, 790 chem, 790 us history, 800 bio m, 760 physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0 uw, 4.93 w
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/534
AP (place score in parenthesis): Comp sci (5), chem (5), bio (4), calc bc (5), physics b (5), english language (5), us history (4), world history (5), microecon (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: Taking differential equations/vector calculus at local university, analytic chemistry at local university, AP Physics C, AP English lit, IB Spanish HL
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): ISEF, National Merit semifinalist, National AP scholar</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): research at local university for past 3 years, first author on several papers published in prestigious journals. President of Chess club, president of science olympiad club, econ challenge (nationally ranked), captain of varsity soccer team (4 years on varsity, 2nd year as captain), founded a nonprofit to provide clean water to children in zimbabwe
Job/Work Experience: paid research intern at Princeton over the summer
Volunteer/Community service: 850+ hours with the nonprofit that I founded.
Summer Activities: research, travelling to africa to see the kids that I provided water for
Essays: 10/10
Teacher Recommendation: First was from my Diff EQ teacher at the university, who absolutely loves me. Called me one of the best in his career. Second from my IB Spanish teacher, and she really likes me.
Counselor Rec: 10/10.
Additional Rec: From my princeton professor that I worked under conducting research.
Interview:went well, lasted for like an hour or so. pretty casual. </p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: no
Intended Major: Mechanical Engineering
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: public, large-ish
Ethnicity: asian
Gender: male
Income Bracket: ~150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): research? awards?</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: test scores, research, awards, recommendations
Weaknesses: asian. I am convinced that because I’m an asian male, they were racially profiling me. It’s totally not fair at all. Princeton was my dream. One school can only accept so many asian males of the same last name.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: again, asian.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: applied to some UCs, MIT, Stanford, Ivys.</p>

<p>General Comments: seriously do not say your ethnicity. The system is not in your favor. So much racial profiling. Really upset that I wasn’t even deferred or anything. </p>

22

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

<p>Objective:</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2280 (750M / 770R / 780 W)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 780 US, 750 English
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9something (It’s a 4.57 weighted)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): At least top 3%, maybe better (school doesn’t release)
AP (place score in parenthesis): World (5), Eng. Lang (5), Stats (5), US (5), Chem (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP German, AP Calc BC, AP Physics C, AP English Lit, gym, orchestra, yearlong research seminar thing (considered an honors class), some electives because that’s what fit into my schedule
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Distinction, National Merit Commended Scholar, Cornell Junior Book Award (Soo basically nothing major.)</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):

  • Weeklong Summer Camp for kids with Cancer and blood disorders as volunteer lifeguard and counselor (10,11,12)
  • Peer Ministry at my church (11,12) It’s a selective volunteer organization where we prepare kids in our community for their confirmation… We also do other volunteer work. Basically like teaching CCD
  • Superintendent Student Advisory Committee (9,10,11,12) A group of 30 kids of all grades who are selected in freshman year and we eat pizza with the superintendent and principals once a month and discuss school/district issues. (We call it pizza club most of the time, lol, but it looks good).
  • Treasurer of Class of 2015 (9,10,11,12)
  • National Honor Society: (11,12; President)
  • German Honor Society: (11,12; President)
  • Mu Alpha Theta / Math Honor Society (11,12)
  • Varsity Swim Team (10,11,12)
  • Orchestra (9, 10, 11, 12)
    Job/Work Experience: Lifeguarding at a gym since sophomore gym (year-round)
    Volunteer/Community service: The camp and the church peer ministry and some tutoring
    Summer Activities: Working at the gym and the camp mostly.
    Essays: Common app was about my camp (really passionate about it). Princeton supplement was about my family’s complicated background and what it means to be an immigrant. I worked hard on them.
    Teacher Recommendation: One from my AP Chem teacher and one from my AP US teacher. Both really liked me academically and personally. I don’t know how well they are written but they should be positive.
    Counselor Rec: Probably not spectacular. She’s okay. They make us fill out a form so they can mention things about us in their recs but it was probably generic.
    Additional Rec:
    Interview: It went well, but they’re not important.</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: something at Woodrow Wilson
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Decent public (class size of about 300)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: 200k+ (But with five kids in college next year, so we qualify for aid).
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation American? (But parents are Canadian (how exotic) but highly educated sooooo)</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: Sufficient test scores, personality?, slightly interesting EC’s
Weaknesses: No major awards or anything. I’m just a normal person. No super clear focus to application.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: See weaknesses. Strong applicant pool.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Accepted at Rutgers
Also applied to: Columbia, McGill, and William & Mary. Will most likely end up at McGill.</p>

<p>General Comments:</p>

<p>Congrats to all those who are accepted. To be honest, I expected a deferral. Which is not to say I wasn’t extremely disappointed, but I was by no means shocked. I understand the competitiveness in admissions and I accept that I’m not that spectacular. I was hoping my high level of interest in the bridge year program would help me a little bit but nope. I was kind of hoping that my sense of humor would help a bit. But this is fine. I will be interested to hear from admissions in spring but have very very very little hope left. Good luck to all applicants! Also I am grateful for the community I found on this website and especially in the Princeton SCEA hopefuls thread. (Side note: I got the PFAA email reminder thing and despite conspiracy theories was not accepted. Not straight up rejected though.)</p>

<p>And finally :
8-X </p>

23

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2300 (790 M, 760 CR, 750 W)
SAT II: 800 Math II, 790 Bio M, 750 US
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1%
AP (place score in parenthesis): All 5s on 10 APs
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NMSF, YoungArts merit award, Bio Olympiad semifinalist, National Latin Exam gold medals</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): LOTS of music, including leadership positions in orchestra and musicology research. Also quiz bowl.
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: Put on a charity concert in 10th grade…also volunteering in a community pit orchestra.
Summer Activities: Chamber music and composition camps
Essays: Common App was a 10 (teacher said it was one of the best she’s seen), Princeton supplement was an 8.
Teacher Recommendation: Most likely great
Counselor Rec: Didn’t read, but I was told it was fantastic
Additional Rec: From my music professor, read it and it was awesome
Interview: Went really well</p>

<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Music (but still undecided)
State (if domestic applicant): PA
School Type: Public
Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): White
Gender: M
Income Bracket: middle class
Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): Had an interesting family situation I wrote about for Common App essay.</p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: Test scores, GPA, Essays, Recs, Arts supplement, Interview
Weaknesses: Maybe ECs? I didn’t really have much volunteering.
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Not sure specifically, but I’m ecstatic! Good luck to everyone applying RD!</p>

24

<p>Decision: Accepted!</p>

<p>Objective:[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2350 (R: 790, M: 800, W: 760 (8)), single-sitting/took it once
[</em>] ACT: N/A
[<em>] SAT II: Math 2 (800), Physics (800), Chemistry (800), Latin (760)
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/285
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): Latin, Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Chemistry, Human Geography, Biology, Statistics, English Language and Composition, US History, Physics B - all 5s
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load: Theatre I, AP Environmental Science, AP Computer Science A, AP English Literature and Composition, AP US Government and Politics, Data Structures (college class), Multivariable Calculus (college class)
[li] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AMC12 Distinguished Honor Roll (top 1%) 2x and AIME Qualifier 2x (scored well one year - one question away from USAMO :(), Math Prize for Girls Honorable Mention (national competition, 17th place) and Math Prize for Girls Olympiad participant, National Latin Exam Gold Medalist 4x, Math League 1st place in state 2x, two research papers/presentations at national/international conferences, NMSF, National AP Scholar, NHS[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>Subjective:[ul]
[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Envirothon (president) quite a few state team awards 9-12; youth orchestra principal cellist 6-12; Math Honor Society (president 11-12) 9-12; Latin Club (president 11, secretary 10) 9-12; Science Honor Society 10-12; Varsity Scholastic Bowl 9-12
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: only some tutoring
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Mathcounts coach 9-12, perform music with string trio at charity events 8-12
[</em>] Summer Activities: CTY summer program, college orchestra program, Yale Ivy Scholars Program <3 (now Young Global Scholars), VA Governor’s Latin Academy, undergraduate research program on Big Data
[<em>] Essays: Common App (9/10); supplement (10/10); engineering essay (9/10); summer and extracurricular activity (8/10); short answers were a mix of silly and serious, brief and detailed
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: I didn’t see them, but they should be very good
[<em>] Counselor Rec: I didn’t see it either.
[</em>] Additional Rec: N/A
[li] Interview: it went okay. I think I was more impressed by my interviewer than my interviewer by me - he knew everything I talked about, from international relations to computer science to every single episode of Looney Tunes! He asked many detailed questions (one of which I screwed up on :o)[/li][/ul]</p>

<p>Other[ul]
[<em>] Applied for Financial Aid?: No
[</em>] Intended Major: Operations Research and Financial Engineering
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): VA
[</em>] Country (if international applicant):
[<em>] School Type: Public, medium-small. This year was unprecedented - 4 accepted by Princeton - but usually only one or two go to the top schools.
[</em>] Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): N
[<em>] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): Asian
[</em>] Gender: Female
[<em>] Income Bracket: above average for area
[</em>] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): mother and uncle attended Princeton University as graduate students
[/ul]</p>

<p>Reflection[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: test scores, grades, awards, commitment to extracurricular activities, legacy
[</em>] Weaknesses: not enough team activities, could have done an arts supplement or additional rec
[li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied:[/li]Aside from my strengths and weaknesses, I think my approach to my application helped a lot. I looked at it while pretending to be an admissions officer and made it into an “adventure” - or at least the closest thing - for them to read (it’s a bit difficult to explain, unfortunately).
[/ul]</p>

<p>General Comments: I am so honored to be accepted by Princeton! Congratulations to everyone else who was accepted. For those who were deferred or rejected, please don’t feel bad. A college does not decide your future, and the very fact that you applied to Princeton and got through all of the essays, recommendations, and interviews proves that you will do great things in life!</p>

25

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

26

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

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2220 (800 CR, 720 W, 700M, retake in January)
ACT (breakdown): N/A
SAT II: 760 Chemistry, 760 Math I, 710 Math II
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.95~
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): ~2%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Not offered
IB (place score in parenthesis): Not offered
Senior Year Course Load: Advanced Functions, Calculus, Economics, English, World Hist., Physics, Chemistry, Data Management
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Chem. Institute of Canada Award, some Waterloo math contest awards</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Founder of tech company, mobile app developer, environmental research for government, debate club (vice president), board game club (president, founder), environment club (chair), percussionist for school orchestra (all four years)
Job/Work Experience: None, unless you count running a company as a “job”
Volunteer/Community service: 200~ hours, at hospitals and schools
Summer Activities: Shad Valley
Essays: Common app (8.5/10), Supplement (7/10)
Teacher Recommendation: English teacher (10/10), chemistry teacher (9/10)
Counselor Rec: 10/10, very personal
Additional Rec: Letter from a prominent professor I worked with, probably generic
Interview: Went okay. Interviewer wasn’t too talkative; I struggled to keep the conversation going. </p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Undecided
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): Ontario, Canada
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: East Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: ~190K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: Recs, decent EC’s
Weaknesses: Lack of awards, essays could be better, unremarkable test scores, being an Asian male
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I was honestly just too average. There is nothing about me that stands out. Being international didn’t help either.
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:</p>

<p>General Comments:
Feeling a bit depressed. I knew the competition was stiff, but the prospects of having to wait another three months are just unbearable. Congrats to everyone who got in!</p>

27

<p>Choose one:
**Decision: Accepted **</p>

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2400
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Chem 800 Math II 800 US II 800 Biology M 800
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 98.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 ?
AP (place score in parenthesis): chem 5 apush 5 lang and comp 5
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: ap calc ap bio ap physics ap lit gym other stuff that’s whatever
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National Merit Semi ? Nothing really to be honest</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Pres. of honor societies, debate cap, zoology club
Job/Work Experience: tutoring, working in market
Volunteer/Community service: hospital stuff
Summer Activities: research at lab about 3d printing
Essays: tried to be unique, came out a little contrived but it worked !
Teacher Recommendation: 10/10 for both
Counselor Rec: 10/10
Additional Rec:
Interview: 6/10 did not really shine</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yup
Intended Major: Chemistry
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public medium
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~100k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None(?)</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: Scores and recs
Weaknesses: ECs and lack of awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I guess I showed how much I love chemistry and 3D printing
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Rutgers Accept, waiting UMich engineering</p>

<p>General Comments:
Wow! A good friend made it too from my school. Had no idea I would actually make even without winning Intel or Siemens or anything. Just wow.</p>

28

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I: 2360 (760R 800M 800W)
SAT II: 800 USH 800 M2 800 CHEM
Unweighted GPA: 4.0
Rank: 12/233
AP: World History (5) Psychology (5) Chemistry (5) Biology (5) US History (5) English Language and Composition (5) Environmental Science (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP European History, AP United States Government, AP Macroeconomics, AP Literature and Composition, AP Statistics, AP Calculus C Mechanics, AP Calculus BC</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Chemistry
State (if domestic applicant): South Carolina
School Type: Public
Race: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: >100k</p>

29

<p>@hopeforamiracle To be honest I knew it would be a deferral from day one, but I refused to believe it until now. If I was admitted EA, I wouldn’t have to worry about RD and the Canadian applications. Some 95% of deferred applicants are rejected in RD, so now my chance is really slim. </p>

30

<p>[ size=4][ color=green][ b]Decision: Accepted **[/color][/size]</p>

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2350 (770/780/800 MRW, 9 essay)
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: 800 math II, 800 physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.00 (4.87)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): School does not rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): 50/50 (music theory, calculus BC, phys C both, compsci, chem, bio, lang, apush, stat)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP French, AP Gov, 2 honors LA semester classes, Gym/Health, some Princeton courses (nontrivial ones)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): It’s kinda long - you can PM me if you want it</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): It’s kinda long - you can PM me if you want it - but approximately 1500 hours of it consists of anime
Job/Work Experience: Research Internship at Princeton, but otherwise not really
Volunteer/Community service: ~150 hours at library + various other places
Summer Activities: Anime all day. Though there was a hiatus during the I_Os where Internet was lacking. But not too much fancy stuff (did get accepted into SPARC but couldn’t go).
Essays: lol 1/10
Teacher Recommendation: don’t really know - anywhere from 1/10 to 10/10
Counselor Rec: on good terms, but don’t really know - anywhere from 1/10 to 10/10
Additional Rec: piano teacher, but don’t really know - anywhere from 1/10 to 10/10
Interview: don’t really know - anywhere from 1/10 to 10/10</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: No clue
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant): Canada
School Type: Public non-magnet
Ethnicity: Asian (Chinese)
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: ~120,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): I have 0 hooks.</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: Awards (quality & quantity) I guess set me apart from most applicants
Weaknesses: Lack of hooks, International-ish
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected:
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:</p>

<p>General Comments:
SENIORITIS HERE I COME</p>

31

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

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2290 (800 M, 760 CR, 730 W) Superscore 2330 (800 CR)
ACT: 36 (36 M, 35E, 36R, 35S, 11W)
SAT II: US History (780), Math II (770)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/487
AP (place score in parenthesis): 4 5s- Human Geography, English Composition, Psychology, US History 5 4s- Calculus AB, Calculus BC, Government, Environmental Sci, Biology
IB (place score in parenthesis): Spanish SL (6), Physics SL (5)
Senior Year Course Load: All IB/AP
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): 2014 Intel ISEF Finalist, National AP Scholar
Less major: State Leadership award, 1st place at regional science competitions, state history fair</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Social Science Research, History Fair, Debate Team/Club, FBLA, TSA (Chapter Sec), 4 years Varsity tennis and captain,
Volunteer/Community service: Local youth city council officer, teaching assistant at local high school, co-founder of tennis club to promote physical activity
Summer Activities: Interned for University of Utah Bioscience, attended CDC summer program, did social science research and presented at conferences
Essays: CommonApp- 8/10, wrote about failure, but could have polished the essay a little more
Disparities essay- 8/10, wrote about working to reduce health disparity through running the tennis club
Teacher Recommendation: Didn’t read but both teachers liked me quite a bit
Counselor Rec: Should be very good, didn’t read but I have a really close relationship with my counselor
Additional Rec: Research mentor, should be pretty good
Interview: Went very well. I felt like I learned a lot about the Princeton experience from my interviewer and I also think I gave off a positive attitude. Talked for around an hour and met at a waffle house ^_^</p>

<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Sociology/Biology
State (if domestic applicant): UT
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): N
Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): Asian
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 200k
Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): None</p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: ISEF Finalist Bump, application of science research to comm. service
Weaknesses: AP Scores
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Good fit? I honestly am still amazed…</p>

<p>General Comments: Good luck to everyone applying RD! Princeton 2019!</p>

32

<p>Decision: Accepted!!!
I know that compared to everyone here, my stats are not that great. I just thank God and my lucky stars that I am offered admission. </p>

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown):2070 (CR 670, M 740, W 660
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Bio (M): 730, M2 640
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 8/134
AP (place score in parenthesis):
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: APs did not start in my school until this year so AP calc, some college courses from Rutgers University, Certified CMA
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): NHS, NTHS, HOSA Nationals Top 20 CPS</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): HOSA (VP), Photography & Art (VP)
Job/Work Experience: intern at dental office
Volunteer/Community service: volunteer at nursing home, church
Summer Activities: volunteer at church
Essays: Common App essay is 9/10, Supplement was eh
Teacher Recommendation: Good i think
Counselor Rec: Good
Additional Rec:
Interview: Totally bombed I thought (I told her that in my spare time, I only sleep because I love sleep)</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Anthropology/ Biology
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant): US
School Type: Technical School
Ethnicity: Asian (Filipino)
Gender: F
Income Bracket:
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):</p>

33

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

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2340 (800 R, 800 M, 740 W)
ACT (breakdown): 35 (35 English, 36 Math, 36 Reading, 33 Science)
SAT II: 800’s in Chem and Math II, 780 US History, 740 Language
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 2/439
AP (place score in parenthesis): 5’s in Chinese, Chem, Calculus AB, Language and Composition. 4 in Pysch, APUSH, and a 3 in World History
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: AP Calculus BC, AP Euro, AP Physics I, AP Government/Microecon, AP Biology, AP Literature
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): National AP Scholar, National Merit Semifinalist, AIME Qualifier, nothing special</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): We the People (state qualifier), Math Team (awards at the state and national level), Scholars Bowl (state qualifer), Teen Court (member of the traveling team), Mock Trial (national qualifier), nothing special
Job/Work Experience: Transcriptor for 3PlayMedia
Volunteer/Community service: About 700 hours through mission trips and volunteering at the zoo, nothing special
Summer Activities: Shadowing at a lab and volunteering
Essays: 9/10 on common app, 7/10 for Princeton supplement, nothing special
Teacher Recommendation: Both teachers have known me for quite some time so I would think they’re pretty good but have no way of knowing
Counselor Rec: No idea
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: Decent</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Undecided
State (if domestic applicant): Roll tide (AL)
Country (if international applicant): N/A
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: M
Income Bracket: 150,000-200,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): unrepresented area? </p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: scores, letters of recommendation, volunteer hours
Weaknesses: extracurriculars, lack of major awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: see above
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Auburn University and UAB</p>

<p>General Comments: Hands off to everyone who got in! </p>

34

<p>Choose one:
**Decision: Accepted **</p>

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 2370
ACT (breakdown):
SAT II: Chemistry (800), Biology (800), Math IIC (790)
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 98
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Chemistry (5), Environmental Science (5), Lang (5), APUSH (4)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Bio, AP Calc BC, AP Lit, AP Physics C
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Intel ISEF Finalist, NJRSF Finalist, NJCO, etc</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
Job/Work Experience: Tutoring, Asian Market
Volunteer/Community service: Animal shelter
Summer Activities: Conservation research, veterinary volunteering in South Africa
Essays: CA (9/10): Wrote an essay about passion for animals Supp (10/10): Wrote about poetry
Teacher Recommendation: 10/10
Counselor Rec: 10/10
Additional Rec: 10/10 From research mentor
Interview: 8/10</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?:
Intended Major: Ecology and Evolutionary Biology
State (if domestic applicant): NJ
Country (if international applicant): USA
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: Korean
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: <60,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): None</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: SAT, SAT IIs, Passion for wildlife,
Weaknesses: Asian male
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: 19 times as ambitious
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:</p>

<p>General Comments:</p>

35

<p>Deferred
Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown):na
ACT (breakdown):34
SAT II:800 bio m, 790 chem, 750 world history
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0):3.74 (93.5), 4.0 weighted
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable):school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis):Euro 4, Bio 5, comp 4, Us History 5
IB (place score in parenthesis):na
Senior Year Course Load:BC Calc AP physics, science reseach, math research. American Culture Studies (a college philosophy class)
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.):Won the long island math fair also won gold there every year for 5 years, Local science compatition awards. School stuff. </p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):Science Olympiads (President), Academic team (Captain), NHS, NHS science (President; elected after application was in) Math research, science research Key club (board)
Job/Work Experience:Conduct molecular biology research at a university, Work at a cornell run camp teaching ecology and biology during the summer
Volunteer/Community service: Key club events and nhs events
Summer Activities:Worked in my lab and at the camp
Essays:I thought my common app was decent and actually very funny (9/10), my supplement was not so much on that level (6/10)
Teacher Recommendation: No idea hopefully good since they asked me
Counselor Rec:no idea
Additional Rec:My mentor at the lab wrote me a beautiful recommendation, nicest thing anyone has ever said about me.
Interview:Very good with a research teacher who I knew previously </p>

<p>Other
Math research was published, science will hopefully be published this year(obviously not meaningful)
Applied for Financial Aid?:no
Intended Major:Mol Bio
State (if domestic applicant):NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Small 200 person class
Ethnicity:white (jewish)
Gender:male
Income Bracket:over 150,000
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.):
My research is pretty intense and groundbreaking
Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths:I had amazing extracurricular, and hopefully my skill and commitment tol research was shown.
Weaknesses:Low GPA, not so great essays
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I think I just didn’t make the cut, Im sure there were more then a hundred applicants better then me for every element. GPA was particularly low for this pool. My hope is that I will do well in my science competitions this winter and show that I am not just another student doing some research. An intel semifinalist placement would be fantastic
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:find out later this week</p>

36

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 2330 (770 M, 760 CR, 800 W), two sittings
ACT: N/A
SAT II: 790 Math II, 760 US History
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.8 (weighted somewhere > than 4.0 I think??)
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): school doesn’t rank
AP (place score in parenthesis): APUSH (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Comp Sci, AP Environmental Science, Econ/AP Macro, World Lit/Humanities, Web Journalism, AP AB Calc
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): No major awards, just school department awards for math, chemistry, spanish, and a few all-leagues for sports</p>

<p>Subjective:</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): award-winning web journalism program (sports editor), 4 years varsity track and field (3-time all-league, relay anchor), 2 years jv soccer (all-league), Indian Culture Club (treasurer)
Job/Work Experience: Counselor at synagogue’s summer camp for two years, teacher’s aide at hebrew school
Volunteer/Community service:
Summer Activities: jewish summer program focused on social justice, lobbied state assembly about education reform, NFTY-Israel (youth trip to Israel), Summer @ Brown (3 week residential program, took class on politics)
Essays: Common App was fine? Short supplements were pretty basic, and retrospectively I hate my long Princeton supplement a lot, but its hard to judge your own writing you know?
Teacher Recommendation: not sure, probably good, I did well in both of their classes and participated a lot
Counselor Rec: didn’t really know him, but it was probably good
Additional Rec:
Interview: went well! she had literally just graduated so she gave me really good life advice about college apps in general</p>

<p>Other:</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Undecided, but put economics/comp sci
State (if domestic applicant): California
School Type: Competitive public school in Silicon Valley
Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): Not hispanic
Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): White (Ashkenazi)
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: this wasn’t on the app? but fairly well off
Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): double legacy </p>

<p>Reflection:</p>

<p>Strengths: legacy
Weaknesses: my GPA, lack of real leadership (eg: president, EIC), supplement probably, my parents did not buy a library
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Honestly even though I’m a legacy I’ve been pretty sure for a while now that I wouldn’t be getting in (my brother didn’t get in) due to aforementioned terrible GPA. So I guess the long-time childhood dream is now…deferred? Sorry parents! </p>

<p>General Comments: Congrats to everyone who got in! It’s a really amazing school, it was life-changing for my parents (they met each other there, so of course). Good luck everyone with the rest of your decisions!!</p>

37

<p>**Decision: Accepted **</p>

<p>Objective
SAT I (breakdown):
ACT (breakdown): 35 C (33 E, 35 R, 36 M, 35 S, 10 W)
SAT II: 800 US History, 790 Spanish w/Listening, 790 English Lit, 770 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/156
AP (place score in parenthesis): AP Bio (5), APUSH (5), AP Calc BC (5), AP Lang (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis):
Senior Year Course Load: AP Stats, AP Macro, AP Lit, APES, Econ (H), AP Micro, AP Gov, Autoshop
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): AP Scholar with Honor, NMSF</p>

<p>Subjective
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): High-Altitude Balloon Business (Co-Founder; 22.5k in revenue, partnerships with NASA, University of NH, others. Clients include Boy Scouts of America, and NeuroDrink.), Stream Buffering Capacity Research, Varsity Mathletes, Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Track and Field, CSF (President)
Job/Work Experience: Pet Care, Babysitting…
Volunteer/Community service: 200 hours (Theater Organization), 200 hours (Environmental stuff)
Summer Activities: Internship with Environmental NGO (2013), Farmworker in Chile (2014)
Essays: Common App (9/10), EC Essay (8/10), Princeton (8/10)
Teacher Recommendations: Both really nice
Counselor Rec: Knows me really well (used to be best friends with her daughter), probably good
Additional Rec: From my ballooning mentor (haha, I sound so nerdy), really sweet
Interview: Hard to tell, he was a lawyer with a great poker face. Talked about art and history, along with Princeton, which was fun</p>

<p>Other
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Economics
State (if domestic applicant): CA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public Rural (650 kids total)
Ethnicity: White
Gender: F
Income Bracket: 150k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Nada</p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: Good test scores and grades, unique EC
Weaknesses: No big awards, leadership in only a couple of activities
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: The combination of the ballooning, good essays, and rural background
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected:
Applied to UCLA, Cal Berkeley, USC before Princeton decision, will apply to Yale</p>

<p>General Comments: I can’t even begin to guess why I was accepted over such extremely qualified candidates–you all are so deserving! Congrats to other admittees! </p>

38

<p>Decision: Deferred</p>

<p>Objective:

[ul]
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2350 (800 M, 760 CR, 790 W)
[</em>] SAT II: 800 Bio M, 800 Math II, 790 USH
[<em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 3.9-something
[</em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1/262
[<em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): Biology (5), USH (5), Lang & Comp (5), Comp Sci (5), Enviro Sci (5), Chinese (5)
[</em>] IB (place score in parenthesis):
[<em>] Senior Year Course Load: Most rigorous available
[</em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): USABO Semifinalist x2, USABO Honorable Mention x1 (23rd in nation…3 away from finalist), various regional MUN awards (premier diplomat, etc.), a bunch of state Biology awards
[<em>] Common Awards: NMSF, AP Scholars w/ Distinction, National Student Leader (top scorer in some bs nationwide biology exam)
[/ul]Subjective:

[ul]
[</em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Committee chair for Y-MUN (one of my largest commitments, responsible for running the mid-atlantic conference, 1700 delegates, largest Y-MUN conference in the nation), also VP of school club for MUN, Co-President of Comp Sci League Club (placed @ nationals), Vice Prez of rutgers WSSP club (published some DNA sequences in NCBI database), Columbia Science Honors Program, NJ Science League (state champ biology II, 2nd in state chemistry I, 5th in state biology I), Merck State Science Day (merck scholar for biology…top 4 in state), NHS executive board (secretary, usual NHS duties), Math team (travel for various math competitions), newspaper (editor and staff writer), FBLA (first regional in technological concepts, didn’t advance to states b/c conflicts with science stuff), Chinese honor society, Chinese culture club (prez), JV track & field/XC
[<em>] Job/Work Experience: Private tutor (3 years)
[</em>] Volunteer/Community service: Chinese school TA (3 years), ASLAN youth ministries (tutor underprivileged youth every week), coordinator for MUN/YAG days of service projects
[<em>] Summer Activities: 9th: internship at shantou medical university, 10th: biomedical research academy at uPenn, 11th: NJ Scholars Program, selective and prestigious seminar program in my state (think of TASP but not as insanely hard to get into)
[</em>] Essays: CA: everyone I showed it to loved it, 9/10. Supplement: liked it a lot, but had some doubts about the extended essay. 7.5/10<br>
[<em>] Teacher Recommendation: Bio teacher, English teacher, Research mentor. Know them all very well. bio teacher talked about my passion for Biology, English teacher loved my writing, research mentor talked about how i took a leadership role in teaching other kids things about biotechnology. All should have been stellar. 9/10<br>
[</em>] Counselor Rec: #publicschoolprobz, but guidance counselor knows me and advocates strongly for me. 7/10
[<em>] Additional Rec: research mentor from my 11th grade seminar program, should have been excellent. 8.5/10
[</em>] Interview: LOL THIS SUCKED. interview itself was fine but my interviewer was my friend’s dad who I’d met before numerous times, but I completley failed to acknowledge him…awk…</p>

<p>[/ul]Other

[ul]
[<em>] Applied for Financial Aid?: bruh i aint poor
[</em>] Intended Major: mol. bio
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): NJ
[</em>] Country (if international applicant): THE GREATEST NATION ON EARTH BABY!!!
[<em>] School Type: competitive public, usually sends 3-5 kids to princeton every year
[</em>] Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): nope
[<em>] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): the infamous anti-hook race
[</em>] Gender: guy
[<em>] Income Bracket: not getting shit for financial aid
[</em>] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA. well I lived abroad in china for five years, so maybe?
[/ul]Reflection

[ul]
[<em>] Strengths: GPA, test scores, leadership, commitment to ECs, NJ scholars
[</em>] Weaknesses: lack of actual research experience, supplement could have been better, also: i made a correction to my application literally two days before decisions came out (dont ask) so maybe that could have raised some suspicions?
[li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: not fly enough to hang with the rest</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]General Comments: I’m actually really surprised. not at my own decision but at the fact that NO ONE from my school got in early this year (last year we were 3/4…this year 0/6). in any case congrats to those who made it. i’ll be on the grind over break #stay3hunna</p>

39

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

<p>Objective</p>

<p>SAT I (breakdown): 790 M, 740 CR, 730 W
ACT (breakdown): Didn’t take
SAT II: 800 Chemistry, 750 Bio M, 750 Math 1, 730 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): School only does weighted, 4.452
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): Top 10%, I would guess somewhere within the top 3 of a class of 162
AP (place score in parenthesis): Calculus BC 5, English Language and Composition 5, Chemistry 4, Biology 4, United States History 4
IB (place score in parenthesis): Not offered
Senior Year Course Load: AP Statistics, AP European History, AP Environmental Science, AP Lit, AP Physics C, Honors Spanish IV, Band, Phys. Ed.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Wellesley College Book Award, County Honor Band, NHS, Mu Alpha Theta, Spanish Honor Society, National Merit Commended, AP Scholar with Distinction, another music award</p>

<p>Subjective</p>

<p>Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Marching Band (Section Leader and Band Lieutenant), Concert Band (Section Leader), Basketball (JV Captain 10-11), Peer Leadership, Animal Fundraising Club (VP 11, Pres.12), Peer Tutoring
Job/Work Experience: Director’s Assistant at theater camp every summer (25 hrs/week)
Volunteer/Community service: 250+ hours at local zoo
Summer Activities: See work and volunteering, band camp, Cornell Curie Academy 2014, summer work
Essays: Best things I’ve ever written (9.5/10)
Teacher Recommendation: I’m sure they were great (8/10)
Counselor Rec: She thinks very highly of me but I’m not sure how in depth the rec was (6/10)
Additional Rec: None
Interview: Went pretty well, stumbled over my words a few times (7/10)</p>

<p>Other</p>

<p>Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Chemical and Biological Engineering
State (if domestic applicant):
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Public
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: All I know is over 180k
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Woman in engineering, if that counts for anything</p>

<p>Reflection</p>

<p>Strengths: Essays and grades
Weaknesses: Extracurriculars, maybe test scores, lack of major awards
Why you think you were accepted/deferred/rejected: I’m a solid applicant but I’m not outstanding
Where else were you accepted/deferred/rejected: Nowhere else yet</p>

<p>General Comments: I like to think of being deferred in terms of the show America’s Next Top Model. We didn’t get best photo, but we’re still in the running towards being accepted to Princeton.</p>

40

<p>I simply have to do this for my fellow Ghanaian students; to prove to them that IT IS POSSIBLE</p>

<p>Decision: Accepted</p>

<p>Objective:
[<em>] SAT I (breakdown): 2210 (C/R: 800, M/R: 700, W/S: 710)
[</em>] ACT: Did not take
[<em>] SAT II: Bio E: 790, Math 1C: 720
[</em>] Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): School does not calculate
[<em>] Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): 1 out of 523
[</em>] AP (place score in parenthesis): Not offered in my school
[<em>] IB (place score in parenthesis): Not offered in my school
[</em>] Senior Year Course Load:
[<em>] Core English Language
[</em>] Core Mathematics
[<em>] Integrated Science
[</em>] Social Studies
[<em>] Elective Physics
[</em>] Elective Chemistry
[<em>] Elective Biology
[</em>] Elective Mathematics
[<em>] Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): If major means international, then none. But if it means national, or state, I’ve got two.
[</em>] Project Citizen Showcase- National Finalist
[li] National Human Rights and Integrity Quiz- Regional Finalist </p>[/li]
<p>[ul]Subjective:</p>

<p>[<em>] Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
[</em>] Blogger
[<em>] School Magazine (Editor)
[</em>] Student Representative Council (member for two years)
[<em>] Debate team (President)
[</em>] Choir (Alto, 2 years)
[<em>] Protocol Committee (member, 2 years)
[</em>] Civic Education Club (General Secretary)
[<em>] French Club (Secretary in JHS 3, 9th grade)
[</em>] Job/Work Experience: Personal Assistant at Not-for-Profit dealing in education and technology
[<em>] Volunteer/Community service: Informal ‘ward assistant’ at local hospital
[</em>] Summer Activities: 2012- volunteered (see volunteer/community service); 2013- learning for WASSCE/SAT I & II, human rights camp
[<em>] Essays: Nothing extra-o to it… Commonapp essay about how boarding school made me learn that freedom comes with responsibility; Princeton essay about working with nonprofit (see job)
[</em>] Teacher Recommendation: teachers loved me, so I guess it was cool (be nice to your teachers)
[<em>] Counselor Rec: she’s one of my closest friends, we bonded during orientation…
[</em>] Additional Rec: Princeton doesn’t take any
[li] Interview: So-so. I think it was good; but I don’t think I stood out to her. But who am I to speak for her? Besides, it was a phone convo, so…</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul][ b]Other**</p>

<p>[<em>] Applied for Financial Aid?: Duh!
[</em>] Intended Major: Woodrow Wilson Institute of Public and International Affiars
[<em>] State (if domestic applicant): Not Applicable
[</em>] Country (if international applicant): Ghana
[<em>] School Type: Public Catholic Boarding School
[</em>] Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): African
[<em>] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): Black African
[</em>] Gender: Male
[<em>] Income Bracket: Umm…that’s my parents private info, but let it suffice to say my aid covered almost 98% of cost of attendance. And I MAY ask for more. (Oliver Twist, anyone?)
[</em>] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): URM</p>

<p>[/list][ b]Reflection**</p>

<p>[<em>] Strengths: God was my number one help. I don’t really know. Princeton says she uses ‘holistic admission approach’, so maybe what I consider a strength may actually be a weakness. But my essays were not bad; and my recommendations. (So be good to your teachers!)
[</em>] Weaknesses: Hmm… My SAT; was not bad but could have been better. Especially my Math1C. It was a risk writing 1 over 2. Maybe my concentration saved me. I don’t know– once again, holistic admissions. And my essays were not ‘Ghanaian’ enough- yet again another risk.
[li] Why you think you were accepted/deferred/denied: Divine favour played a big role. (I’m sure God and Mary were tired of hearing Our Fathers and Hail Marys…lol. But I guess, as an international student from a Sub-Saharan country, it was a smart move to apply SCEA, before others did. That way, I was considered before other, maybe better, applicants submitted their applications.</p>[/li]
<p>[/list][ b]General Comments:** just be yourself… If you try to mould yourself into ‘Princeton material’ you may fail, cause you never know what they’re searching for. Never think yourself too low to apply (though you sometimes need friends like Robyn Amegashie to remind you. Thank you Robyn!) Repping GH </p>