<p>Hi all, I am a sophomore who is curious about her chances of getting accepted into Princeton. Academically, I have a 4.0 and take all honors classes and one AP (technically I'm not supposed to, but they made an exception). I plan on taking all the APs offered at my school (not chemistry- next year I'll take honors physics then AP physics rather than AP chemistry then AP physics because the AP chem teacher doesn't give anything higher than a B and I hate chemistry), but next year I'll take APUSH and AP English while self-studying for AP government. I am ranked 1/120 (small school) and will take more APs than anyone else in my class. Extracurricularly, I founded a politics club, have been selected to be editor of the school newspaper, will be captain of the debate team (already won some small awards for that), will be a student ambassador, and will be a member of the school leadership club. I hope to have more accomplishments and activities outside of school by the time that I apply. With regards to standardized tests, my practice ACT score is 33 English, 33 math, and 32 composite. What should that score be? Additional information is that I'm a white girl (bleh) who lives in a rich suburb (although I go to school in a neighboring town that is pretty poor and definitely underrepresented) of NYC, so that's not exactly great for me. What can I do to stand out more? Thanks!</p>
<p>What can you do to stand out more? Find a passion and stick with it. Show that you have drive and can accomplish things, but not for the sake of your resume. It’s a tiny bit late in the process, but maybe try sticking with politics and doing some things with that? Other than that, be really nice to your teachers and become friends with them (so you’ll have good letters of recommendation), and if you’re /really/ eager, start thinking a bit about your application essays.</p>
<p>As for your ACT score, it’s pretty good, but you’re still a soph, so you should be able to improve more with time. Do some practice tests and see where you can get your scores to consistently be around. Try the SAT too if you want, and maybe use this chart for comparison [SAT-ACT</a> Conversion chart](<a href=“http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/lccounseling/sat-act_conversion_chart.htm]SAT-ACT”>http://teachers.sduhsd.k12.ca.us/lccounseling/sat-act_conversion_chart.htm) . If you can get a 34 or higher on the ACT or a 2250ish or higher on the SAT, you should be fine for standardized testing (but the higher the better).</p>
<p>Most important is the balance between GPA and ECs, though. You seem to be doing pretty damn well in terms of GPA, so keep that up, and keep working at focusing in on a passion of yours (e.g. politics, or journalism if you want), and you’ll really stand out.</p>
<p>Alright, thanks! I’m a little worried about getting too involved in politics as my extracurricular- after all, no matter how unbiased admissions tries to be, they’re still human and political affiliation is a particularly touchy subject. Should my courseload be okay? I’m not taking one of the APs offered (taking honors physics instead of AP chemistry, will take AP physics senior year no matter what), but am still taking more APs than anyone else in my grade.</p>
<p>Well, maybe if you focus on the human rights aspect of politics, that should eliminate most of the negative bias there might be towards it.</p>
<p>You asked another question about that earlier in its own thread, lol. Same answer: no, it doesn’t matter. Honors physics is still a tough course. It’s honors.</p>
<p>Don’t worry about getting involved in politics and controversial issues. You need to be yourself, and if promoting a controversial issue gets you excited, then it could make you stand out.</p>
<p>Princeton’s Woodrow Wilson School essentially trains people to become bureaucrats and to work on public policy. They encourage debate there, and debate is encouraged throughout the University.</p>
<p>Princeton’s alumni include numerous politicians who some love and some would demonize, including Paul Volcker, former Senator Frist (who has a big building named after him on campus), and three members of the Supreme Court, two on the liberal side and one on the conservative side. Not to mention Michelle Obama.</p>
<p>As long as you don’t start touting causes like the white supremacy or terrorism, don’t think that getting involved in controversial political agendas is going to hurt you with admissions.</p>
<p>I know one kid who got into Cornell in part because he was the youngest Ross Perot for President County Commissioner in the Country. Ross Perot’s entrance into the race in 1992 was controversial, as many Republicans felt he cost George H W Bush the election, he made embarrassing public gaffes, and many people staunchly disagreed with his political stances. It still was a big factor in this kid getting into Cornell, because he worked hard for something he believed in, and believed would help the country.</p>
<p>The admissions department wants students that are passionate about their interests. Their interests can be science, math, religion, sports, politics or almost anything. Do not try to be politically correct. Political action that demonstrates intolerance or hate could be detrimental to your admission prospects. </p>
<p>The students at most universities tend to be more liberal than the general population. Princeton is sometimes considered to be more conservative than other Ivy League universities. If your passion is politics then pursue your interests. Since most students at Princeton support liberal policies I mention some of the noted conservative alumni. </p>
<p>This week Steve Forbes 70 who campaigned for the Republican nomination for the presidency in 1996 and 2000 gave a speech on the campus stating that the dollar should be linked to the value of gold. </p>
<p>Mitchell E. Daniels Jr. ’71 was recently given the university’s highest award to an alumnus, the Woodrow Wilson Award. Mitch served as the Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget for G.W. Bush, was President of the conservative think tank, the Hudson Institute, and was a conservative Governor of Indiana. </p>
<p>Tea Party favorite Senator Ted Cruz '92 wrote his senior thesis on the on the separation of powers and the importance of the ninth and tenth amendments. <a href=“Ted Cruz Poised to Be Senate’s Tea Party Intellectual - The New York Times”>Ted Cruz Poised to Be Senate’s Tea Party Intellectual - The New York Times; </p>
<p>Former Republican senate majority leader Senator Bill Frist '74 recently co-taught a WWS course on health care policy.</p>
<p>Supreme Court Justice Samuel Anthony Alito, Jr '72 is one the conservative justices on the court. He wrote his thesis on the Italian legal system.</p>
<p>Univdreams do not select activities based on your perception of what admin officers are looking for. If you want to be involved in politics then be active in this area.</p>