I haven’t
Hi,
Could y’all chance me for Princeton SCEA (a little late ikik)
I am an Asian Male applying as an international student.
My stats are as the follows:
SAT: 1570 (ERW: 790, Math: 780)
SAT Subjects: Math 2, Chemistry, Physics (800/800 in all)
APs: Physics C: Mechanics, Calc BC, Chemistry (5/5 in all); AP Scholar
Plan to complete IB Diploma, my predicted is 44/45 (school policy prevents a 45 from being predicted). My subjects at Higher Level are: Physics, Chemistry, Mathematics, predicted 7/7 in all academic subjects.
Extra Curriculars:
Top 45 National Rank in Squash (Under 17)
Chaired MUN committees, won awards as delegate
Authored a research paper introducing new methods for thalassemia detection (for an NGO which works in the field of preventing this disorder, widespread in South Asia)
Submitted a paper on greener methods of preparing boric acid to academic journals, awaiting decision.
2 additional research papers through internships.
Awarded the Times SPARK award (given by a prestigious newspaper to only 300 out of 300,000 applicants)
Awarded a scholarship by my school for excellent academics and co-curriculars.
Essays:
Common App (8/10), wrote about challenges while playing squash.
Princeton Supplement (8.5/10), wrote about how Calvin and Hobbes has influenced me.
LORs:
Academic: Don’t really know, guessing they would be above average.
Optional: From my supervisor at the NGO, 9/10, spoke about my hard work and passion outside academics.
I do know Princeton is a reach for everyone, but would really appreciate your feedback and comments. Thanks!
Is anyone else really intimidated by everyone posting their profiles on this thread? Like it feels like there’s no way I’ll get in compared to some of you all ?
You’re not the only one!
@James1101 I haven’t gotten anything from the financial aid office, and I applied for financial aid.
@ChonkpurCheetah
Great stats!
The only thing I could think of that is against your odds is your international student status, which makes it harder than domestic students.
To everyone, best of luck!
Guys, if our counselor didn’t get a Q1 grades request, do we pretty much know its a no?
They may only check grades for anyone “on the fence” @spinCaster15 . They have not requested any additional financial aid information from me and other public EA schools have asked for additional forms to be signed/sent in. I think it is going to be a long week of speculating.
In previous years, some students whom had been contacted for additional financial aid information were later rejected; some were admitted. No patterns here.
I’m confused - why are people getting contacted about quarter 1 grades? I thought those had to have been sent like a month or two ago when they first came out. I think Princeton is only contacting people about those because it is simply a requirement if I had to guess.
Are the people getting Q1 grade requests Legacys or Recruited Athletes? Maybe they already have a spot and are just finishing up the details?
It does not make sense to me that Princeton would invest the time and energy running financial aid packets on say 25,000 prospects if they are only offering admission to approximately 2k. I have no idea how the process works but would think they make admissions decisions and then they start the financial aid process for those who get in. Any idea how that works?
All I know for sure is that I really want a spot and the 12th can not get here soon enough. 
@James1101 My counselor got a request for my Q1 grades and I’m not a legacy or a recruited athlete.
I’ve been following the Q1 grades discussion for a couple of days… I didn’t know that it was a requirement until now.
Not many students from my high school have been accepted to Princeton (or Top20s in general) so I’m not sure if my counselor knew they had to do that. The last student who I’m aware of that got into Princeton did so in the RD round.
In addition, my counselor has been on personal leave since mid-fall so I’m worried that, if Princeton did try to contact them asking for my Q1 grades, they didn’t see the request or respond.
Am I basically getting rejected? If I tried to email my counselor and ask them to send Princeton my Q1 grades now, is it too late?
The quarter one grades are requested ONLY if you’re on the fence of being accepted or rejected. I had talked to my AP Chemistry teacher verifying this with her since she’s very familiar with the college application process and its tricks. If Princeton observes that an applicant’s grades have been shaky or showing an upward trend, they would most likely ask for your first-quarter grades, but if a student has been continuously getting good grades, then there’s really no point for them to ask (they see the kind of student you are). Essentially, if they ask for your first-quarter grades, they just need a little more information from you. If they don’t ask for your quarter one grades, then they have a decision based on what you gave (assuming that it is all they need). Further, even if they ask for your first-quarter grades and you have near-perfect grades, that still doesn’t guarantee a spot, as the college admissions process is random to a large extent. Hope this calms some nerves…
@riazuluaga14 that seems promising to me. Are you in a group that is possibly being recruited? Like high stats, first gen, URM, or something similar? I think them putting the work into calling your counselor is a good sign. You KNOW you are at least being considered. Your application has been read and that you have a shot at getting in.
Please keep me posted if you get a spot. I am pulling for you.
@sciencegirl2024 I am in the same boat. I saw in my portal that it says everything is completed. I have all check marks on the application portal and the following:
“Your application is complete. No further action is required.” I also called the office to be sure they have everything and was told it was ok. I wont get grades at my school until later in December. I will ask my counselor to send them then but for now, it looks like they have not requested Q1 grades from me or my counselor. I have had good grades, consistently. Have you made mostly all A’s consistently?
@tsunderegg I agree with you. The necessity of Q1 grades was not clear to me. If needed, I would have asked my counselor send a letter explaining why I do not get my grades until December (dual enrollment college classes.) I think you are right. Thanks for reducing my anxiety.
I have been checking my portal a couple times a day and no changes so far. I do not believe they have downloaded my FAFSA either. I called and checked last week. That worries me. Prior admit letters state there is financial aid info sent out on decision day. Seems they would have to open my Fafsa, (in addition to the Princeton Fin Aid form and parents tax paperwork) if I was accepted. What do you guys think?
Is the 12th here already? It is so hard to wait.
@James1101 Thank you so much! Rooting for you as well. I have high stats(perfect UW GPA, 34 ACT, etc.) and I’m a URM. I’m also the first gen in my family to go to a U.S. University(although one of my parents has a degree from a university in another country)
@James1101 Yes, I have had straight A’s all through high school and taken the most rigorous courseload offered at my school. I would hope there is no reason for Princeton to think that my grades would be slipping this year (they aren’t). I have the same “Your application is complete. No further action is required.” message on my portal, as well.
My school releases mid-year grades in late January, so the plan between my counselor and I was to send my mid-year report then, no matter the Early Action outcome.
@riazuluaga14 I definitely think they are interested. Have you had high grades consistently? Since you started high school? Or just in recent years? You are ticking many boxes (high stats, URM and first gen) that seem like they would fit well with Princeton. Where else did you apply? Would not be surprised to see you get many offers.
@tsunderegg - Please don’t ignore the fact that Princeton wants 1st quarter grades from applicants where grades are issued on a quarterly basis. Our GC automatically sent 1st quarter grades to Princeton without being asked. I agree, however, that if you get the call it is a much more encouraging sign than if you don’t. Also, this is probably not an indication of acceptance vs. rejection since Princeton only rejects a small number of applicants, while deferring the vast majority. --which in the past has been estimated to be as high as 75%.
@James1101 I’ve had all As since middle school, and I’ve only had one A(in only the first semester) in my core classes that I’ve taken in high school, all the rest have been A+s. Hopefully I fit well with Princeton, I absolutely love the school and all the opportunities I could have if I attend. I’ve also applied to Yale, Dartmouth, Cornell, UF, FSU, Georgetown, WashU, UChicago, and Johns Hopkins.