<p>@justlyfe8 I totally agree!! This thread is definitely the most supportive out of all the Ivy threads. I appreciate that the Princeton forum is truly dedicated to helping each other navigate the crazy college admissions process. Regardless of what happens in December, I genuinely hope all of us get to attend Princeton next year!</p>
<p>Funnily enough, my interviewer confirmed (in accordance to the casual reputation/common criticism of Princeton) that it’s not easy to fit in at Princeton and is definitely a lot less diverse than many other comparable universities (ie the polar opposite of Berkeley.) At least from what I’ve seen, though, that doesn’t seem to be true. But I’m not expecting to get in anyway. 
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<p>@ Opinion559 Haha luckily the first two websites that pop up when anyone googles my name are my professional LinkedIn account (with my EC’s, awards, and test scores) and the blog that I kept while I was an exchange student to Finland!
I highly recommend setting up a LinkedIn- not only is it free, but it’s convenient to maintain and professional looking. Some might argue that it’s a little pretentious to have a LinkedIn account while you’re still in high school, but honestly who cares?? Be proud of what you’ve accomplished! </p>
<p>@picozippy Hmm what year did your interviewer graduate Princeton from? A lot of current student I’ve talked to gush on and on about how there’s a niche for people of every racial/socioeconomic background, extracurricular, and academic interest, and that eventually everyone finds their place. I wouldn’t worry too much about it!</p>
<p>I need to stay far, far away from admissions data and statistics. Looking at stuff like that significantly decreases my chill-ness level. </p>
<p>@Ambitious19 – good point, quite a while ago for her BA. Though she was saying that what she was telling me was drawn from both her experiences and what she’s hearing from her connections to Pton now. But yes, I assume there are plenty of wonderful people there. </p>
<p>On a somewhat related note, I thought I’d ask you because I see you commenting a lot: What’s your opinion on the influence of a personal essay demonstrating significant hardship/disadvantages, if those disadvantages aren’t shown on paper? By this, I mean that I wrote about struggling with depression and abusive parents (all crammed into a 600 word essay… obviously very very brief/vague.) But it doesn’t “show” on my app the same way being low income does (and we were at some point, but not by the time I applied… haha.) </p>
<p>I realize that I can’t really get an answer from CC, and I’ll always wonder. But that’s why I’m saying I’m not expecting to get into Pton. Claiming that you went through significant hardship just isn’t as good as having great stats and achievements to show. </p>
<p>Good luck to everyone! I just had my interview and I think it went really well! To all of you who are worried about not getting notifications, from what I’ve seen from the other early applicants in my school, it seems that they might assign interviewers by majors so don’t be too worried if someone you know already got an interview and you didn’t. As unrealistic as this sounds, I hope that everyone gets admitted come mid-December and I’m rooting for all of us! </p>
<p>Huh, I put Chemical/Biological Engineering (BSE) as my first-choice prospective major and chemistry as my second and got interviewed by a lawyer who majored in history. My certificates didn’t have anything to do with history either, so unless he certificated (lol) in something related to chem, music, or global health, I don’t think it’s directly by major. Hopefully good things will come in 20 days!</p>
<p>Have the announced the date when they are releasing the results? </p>
<p>I just finished my interview and my interviewer did tell me that Princeton has a very supportive environment. Even though the courses are hard everyone helps each other out. She even mentioned that she was a Harvard legacy and chose Princeton because Harvard is more cut throat. </p>
<p>@picozippy I wish I could have an answer for you, but unfortunately I’m just as unsure as you are! However, it seems to me that you wrote a very heartfelt, honest essay about something that was integral and meaningful to your personal development, which will work in your favor. </p>
<p>Discussing hardships and disadvantages in personal essays is certainly not uncommon, but as long as you emphasized how your unique background has shaped your values and beliefs, or the lens with which you view the world now, I’m sure you’ll be fine! Good luck! </p>
<p>@Opinion559 They haven’t announced it yet, but I’m estimating December 15th! And yeah, my interviewer mentioned that too! Except not Harvard being cutthroat. Just the collaboration. </p>
<p>My interviewer was a Princeton microbiology Phd and I’m not interested in science at all. But he lives in the exact same town as me so if they do take field of study into account, the convenience of our shared hometown would probably trump that.</p>
<p>Hmm I just got an email from Princeton telling me I would be contacted by my interviewer soon… except soon was two weeks ago lol</p>
<p>Also, does anyone know how much essays would matter (like if they were so-so, would they bring your application down) and how much midyear grades matter (i.e. a B in a really easy class that you’re too lazy to care about, but 4.0 otherwise)?</p>
<p>Hi guys! I had my interview, and I think it went well (though I sincerely doubt it will help my slim chances of admittance). My interviewer, a '99 alum, was very open about the interview process, and described himself as a reporter rather than an evaluator. He spoke highly on all aspects of Princeton, from the modest and supportive nature of the student body to the accomplished, helpful professors and plethora of opportunities offered, both academic and extracurricular. It was a fairly laid-back interview, more conversational than question-answer.</p>
<p>Still being realistic, but the interview just makes me want to attend the school more…sigh. Best of luck to everyone; hope you all relax a bit over Thanksgiving break!</p>
<p>SO…my school counselor has ballsed-up. Basically, I’m a Brit who’s applying Yale SCEA and to other schools RD, including Princeton. Nobody in living memory from my school has applied to the US, let alone Princeton, so my counselor wasn’t that clued up on the process. In my school report he specifically mentioned Yale and why I’d be a good fit there. My RD schools will all see that, and he realised this about a week after he submitted. He immediately wrote to my RD schools including Princeton to say it was his mistake, not to penalise me for it, and was there a way he could fill out a new school report? P wrote back to say yeah that’s fine, send it by air mail and we won’t be bothered by it. </p>
<p>What do you guys think? You reckon my name is already in the bin for my RD schools? You think I should also write to my RD schools myself? Appreciate any help you can offer. Oh, and happy Thanksgiving to you all from across the pond (it is that time of year isn’t it…?). Thanks!</p>
<p>@TweedWearingBrit, don’t worry about it. Princeton is smart enough to know that you are applying to many schools and declaring your love for each. And they know that counselors do strange things. You’ve done what you could to correct the situation.</p>
<p>Appreciate the advice. Thanks! </p>
<p>I wonder how their admissions process works. I know that there are two readers who read the application first, but do they make the decision right there? Or do the readers give a grade and pass it on to the committee? </p>
<p>@kirito69 I hope essays matter a lot 
I feel as if my essays were REALLY strong, probably the strongest part of my application. Lol I hoping it is the essays that tip the balance in my favor</p>
<p>@Jumbotron I think it’s the latter. The two readers read and rate the file, and the better-than-average applications get passed on to the committee where they debate and discuss. </p>
<p>Okay that’s about what I thought. I guess the other guys just get deferred or rejected right there then. </p>