Princeton, Crazy Dream or Possible Reality?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>Hi, I'm a Junior. I'm planning on applying to pretty selective schools. My dream is Princeton, but I know Princeton is the dream for a lot of students. I will keep myself grounded and expect the worst, but please let me know where you think I stand in terms of admission at Princeton. Also, can you please give any tips to improve what I have going, any tips for the summer?</p>

<p>Current AP's: US Government, Comparative Government, US History, Latin Literature, English Language, Calculus AB, Art Portfolio
Next Year AP's: European History, Art Portfolio, English Literature, Calculus BC, Art History/Statistics (debating which of the two)
Advanced Honors: Physics II, Chemistry II, Biology
Everything Else (All Honors): Algebra 2, Geometry, Pre-Calculus, English 9 & 10, Latin 1, Latin 2, Latin 3, World History 1 & 2</p>

<p>(Self-teaching French for 1 Year so far)</p>

<p>Yearbook Editor for three years. Senior year, I will be Editor in Chief. (We have won several Gold Crown and Columbia Standard Awards)</p>

<p>Quill & Scroll Honor Society (Writing & Journalism)
Math Honors Society (Mu Alpha Theta)
National Honors Soceity
Latin Honors Soceity</p>

<p>Four Gold Medal Awards in the National Latin Exam
I have had my artwork in several local art shows for high school students.
I am planning on entering various competitions this summer.
Math AMC 10 Award
Model United Nations (3 Awards: Best Delegate, Excellent Delegate, etc)
Cum Laude </p>

<p>Self teaching French, five years of Latin, speak Hindi, and English, of course. </p>

<p>SAT: 2230
GPA Unweighted: 4.05
SAT Subject Tests: Math II, US History, Latin</p>

<p>Senior Year Schedule:
AP Calc BC
AP Euro
AP Art History
Advanced Studies in ARt
AP English
AP Physics
Yearbook!</p>

<p>ExtraCurriculars:</p>

<p>Social Activism/World Affairs/Diversity:
1.One of the Founders of STAND *Anti-Genocide Club for Darfur
2. Designed Tshirts and Signs for various international causes for sale on CafePress
3. I have been running my own Charity Dinner for the past four years every summer, in which all proceeds go to Organizations such as CARE, SAVEDARFUR, or ONE.
4. Model United Nations: (LOVE THIS CLUB) I have won a few awards and I just enjoy it so much. (Board Member Next Year)
5. Vice President and the President of the School’s Diversity Club
6. One of the few students on the Diversity Committee
7. Chose to attend the National SDLC Conference in Boston
8. Organized several Mix-it-UP days over the years at my school to teach issue of Tolerance and Acceptance</p>

<p>Art:
1. I have been building a strong portfolio in art & design for the past two years.
2. I have taken Drawing & Painting, Advanced Art Studies, and AP Art Portfolio.
3. I will have been on the Yearbook Staff (Graphic Design, Art, Journalism, Photo, etc) for all four years of high school. Editor in Chief Senior Year.
4. I mentioned this earlier, but I have had some of my art displayed, and selected for a few competitions. I need to do more though to highlight this.
5. Volunteered for two summer (after 9th and 10th) at a local hospital for children with disabilities teaching art activities and helping those with disabilities become creative.
6. Volunteered for two summers also working for local summer camps teaching art, design, fashion, etc) I was not the teacher, I was an assistant.
7. ClubArt President @ School (Organize local art community service activities in the school)</p>

<p>This Summer:
1. I have signed up to help out with the Democratic Party and help get people in lower income areas registered to vote. It’s a form of volunteering.
2. I am applying to the Art Institute of Chicago Summer Pre-College Program. I will only go if I get selected for a Merit Scholarship. (This will pay my whole way through the three week program) It is pretty selective, so I’ll have to wait and see.
3. Continue self-teaching French (I want to get recognized by the organization Alliance Francais, so I have some accreditation to my learning French)
4. Continue building my Art Portfolio (Current Theme is Oppression in the World (Poverty, Darfur, etc)
5. Plan to attend Anytown, a credited one week program designed to help teens fight issues that prevent the expression of diversity. Teaches tolerance of sexual orientation, race, religion, gender, ethnicity, etc)</p>

<p>*Please, Please can you suggest other ways I can make my summer productive since this gives me a lot of time to spend on things I really like. Also, how important is it having a job? I really want a job, but its so hard to find jobs that tie in my interests in this area. Can you please suggest some, and whether or not you think a job is important. (I have for sale, working on creating various designs for tshirts, etc through CaféPress) Any other ideas for Social Activism?</p>

<p>Also, what are ways to get some national or local recognition. I do so much, but I fear none of this will really be conveyed to the admissions officers. It always seems like kids who get all these awards like National Science or Forensics, etc awards get in. Like I've done so much, but some of it has just been personal motivation, how will they ever really know?</p>

<p>I am a minority. (Indian) (I know it won’t make a difference since so many Asians apply.)</p>

<p>If you read this far, thank you so much. That is all I can say. =]</p>

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<p>You seem like a competitive applicant and definitely have a shot at it I think. I say just keep up the good work and continue to expand upon your interests. Since your a junior, I don't think a random job will help you much because it will look like an obvious fluff the application effort, unless of course you get a job that ties in with your art or something. Unfortunately for you, being Indian won't really help you. Definitely send in some artwork to Princeton University when you apply if you think its good enough.</p>

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<p>You have a lot going on - I would suggest that when you do your application you pick two or three areas to highlight and try to tie things together, otherwise too many activities can be distracting. You have to find a way to group things together so that you can present your activities in a organizied way. Sometimes when you are involved in so many things, it can detract from rather than add to your application. I wouldn't worry about adding a job to the mix - use your freetime (if you have any) for your art. Princeton has a major arts initiative going on, so you would probably be an attractive candidate for admission. Unfortunately, Indian is not considered a minority when it comes to selective schools, so no need to highlight that in your application (if anything, it will work against you, according to conventional wisdom).</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for the advice.
I attempted to group my activities a little in my list. I grouped things under Social Activism/Work Affairs/Diversity or Art. What other ways could I group, or how can I use these to stand out. Like were there any things from the lists that you thought were impressive that should be highlighted, and even worked on more?</p>

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<p>Definitely a possible reality.</p>

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<p>Definitely submit your portfolio as an art supplement..if it's good, it will really help you stand out... it helped me =)</p>

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<p>wow 10char</p>

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<p>thanks for replies.</p>