Thank you @psywar
So, Iāve been told time and time again that I have the stats to get into any school (1590 SAT, 36 ACT, 4.65 W, 3.98 UW) as long as I donāt completely mess up in senior year But Itāll all come down to my ECās and my Essays and I know a lot of people fall into that category who have great stats. I think I have ECās covered because Iāve done what I consider is pretty good:
- Lab Researcher @ UT Southwestern (proposed and researching my own project about stem cells with over $18 Million in funding from Johnson & Johnson, Merck & Co., and the National Institute of Health)
- Robotics Researcher (gave keynote speech at robotics conference at MIT in 2017)
- Founder of (Insert my Name) Productions (an advertising firm I started that had done ads for Nike and Fossil; I have also sold over $2 Million worth of canvas prints and apparel of my own photos)
- Founder of Practical Learning Mobile Application (have received funding for the project and manage 20+ employees)
- Speaker @ TEDx Event @ Southern Methodist University
- National Youth Media Coordinator (For a Summer Camp program that runs across the US, I work under a Senior Media Coordinator) (My work has been published in magazines)
- Youth Team Leader & Facilitator - Volunteer Organization (got into the news for making over 100,000 meals for Hurricane Harvey Victims)
- Secretary of NHS (started a collaboration with our school & the North Texas Food Bank)
- Class Officer in Student Advisory Council (elected into the position for 3 years straight; I have hosted multiple school events and have represented the school at the local Chamber of Commerce)
- VP of Junior World Affairs Council (leading a project to help demins Kosovo)
- Eagle Scout & Current Junior Assistant Scoutmaster (I've done like every scouting thing you can think of)
So, then it really comes down to how I sell myself in the essay and I just wanted to get an opinion on what you think makes a great essay? Like what differentiates the accepted students from the other thousands of rejected ones?
@WhoKnows2023 Your ECs and stats are so amazing that what matters is you tie everything together with a āunique perspectiveā or some passion for the future that makes sense out of all these achievements. If your stats and ECs are the āwhatā then you need to make your essay the āwhyā to show how driven or passionate you are. Pull that off and youāll be irresistible 
Even if you donāt know what you want in the future or even what you want now, you can explain that youāre willing to explore. Or you can show the way you see the world.
I have read accounts from admissions personnel that admit they donāt really know why they supported certain candidates while they did not support another. Certainly, the picture you paint of yourself to admissions through your application and essays is important, and the scores/GPA/ECās must be excellent, but there is an unknown component to the admissions process with highly selective schools. The reality is that thousands of applicants share similar attributes and are most certainly viable candidates for admission. Most will still be declined. It is crucial that if you are one of these highly qualified applicants (as you appear to be) that you understand that if you are not admitted, it does not mean you did anything wrong. After a certain threshold, what differentiates the accepted students from the thousands of rejected ones is, to a degree, the luck of the draw.
I got accepted but i think its a mistake
When can i findd out that its official???
I AM DYINGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG
Hello,
I am a sophomore right now and Princeton is the top college I want to attend. I have been homeschooled through middle school up until now, so I havenāt been able to participate in many different activities.
I ride horses (but I donāt compete), and Iāve been playing cello for two years and am hoping to join orchestra junior year. I volunteer every week, and Iāve had a job since I was 13.
Other than that, I havenāt done much. My extracurriculars are definitely not impressive. I have great grades (although nothing mind-blowingly spectacular), and Iām a year ahead in English. Iām on track to be completely done with advanced mathematics and calculus by the time I enter college. I will most likely be entering part time at my local high school junior year, so I will be exposed to more opportunities.
My question is: what should I do? In my last two years of high school, what would you suggest I join/pursue in order to enhance my extracurriculars? I adore writing, reading, photography, and cello, so I am open to anything in those categories! Whether itās AP, summer programs, volunteer opportunities, or competitions, I would love ANY help!
do those (you answered your own question).
Try to find ways to expand on those. If you love photography, can you combine that with community service in a novel way (teaching kids to love photography, taking pictures at a retirement home and printing them out to delight the elderly, etc). Do things that combine your passion with community service, leadership or research. Then write an amazing, truthful essay on your unique / interesting experiences. Show Princeton what you will bring to their community of students.
Good luck!
@KindaLikeGranger I completely agree with psywar on this. I relate to you a lotāI was homeschooled until 8th grade and Iām a cellist and I love to write! I was accepted to Princeton a few days ago (still canāt believe it!) In regards to your application/resume so far, ask yourself: what can I bring to Princeton that no one else can? What particular skill do I possess that will help change someoneās life for the better? Using your talents, donāt be afraid to take opportunities when they come, and think of ways to hone your skills into a project or a leadership role. Iām hoping this helps. However, as with much of the advice on this site, donāt take what Iām saying as the absolute truth or the key to getting admission. Sometimes itās just a crapshoot. Good luck!
@cellistem more like āmostly itās just a crapshootā. Fwiw - I hope you decide Princeton. I admired your tremendous work ethic and Iām glad you were admitted.
I was accepted to Princeton a few days ago and I still canāt believe it. So I come from a low income family from a really bad public school in nj. My teachers who went to the same high school say that it does not prepare us for college (they went to Rutgers/njit/Kean). What can I do to right now to get myself ready for my first semester at Princeton?? Also I heard about the Princeton preppy stereotype. Do I have to buy fancy or formal looking clothes for every day use??
@RACOON1012 Iād ask the clothing question to realtalk Princeton, a tumblr site run by Princeton students. I think most kids are not into wearing very expensive or preppy clothes, but there is a very visible subset of students that do. I think youāll be fine.
As far as the prep work to succeed at Princeton, I think you have to put faith into their review process, they wouldnāt let you in if they thought you would fail. You must have had some corroborating data points in your record if your school isnāt too great (like good AP scores, or high SAT/ACT). The required freshmen writing seminar will train to write well. Also, if you need help SO MANY resources are available. You just need to use them!
Thank you @psywar !!!
RACOON1012: The University has many programs to help students succeed. Some students are offered the opportunity to attend the Freshman Scholars Institute. See: https://fsi.princeton.edu/ The Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP) provides first-generation and low-income students with mentorship, academic enrichment, leadership opportunities, and scholarly community throughout their time at Princeton. See: https://sifp.princeton.edu/ If you find a course difficult there is tutoring through the McGraw Center. See: https://mcgraw.princeton.edu/undergraduates/group-and-individual-tutoring/individual-tutoring All professors have office hours so students can discuss topics discussed in lectures. Princetonās four year graduation rate is about 90%. Some students require more than four years to graduate due to a death in the family, illness, etc. Apply yourself and you can expect to graduate in four years. Attend Princeton Preview days and decide for yourself if the students are wearing fancy clothes. I frequently wore blue genes and T-shirts.
Thank you so much for the information @PtonAlumnus
Wow this is so helpful! Thank you!! Also, congratulations!
@RACOON1012 iām in the same boat as you and i am absolutely terrified! i am so so excited and so grateful but it still doesnāt feel real! which preview day are you going to?
@bg0188 I am going to the one on 16-17. Feel free to pm me and we can get in touch.
My son has received the second big welcome package today from Princeton, and is very impressed with the the articles of the magazines included in the package. We are also low income family, so the only thing we are worry about is this stereotype prep culture of Princeton. We also will be there on 16-17, so letās see.
@pearcedel My son (BSE '16) was concerned too about the prep culture of Princeton. It is not nearly as pervasive as you might envision. My son went all 4 years not being part of an eating club or any of the other stereotypical āpreppyā aspects of Princeton. He loved it! The number of clubs/activities available mean you will almost certainly find a group that you love.
Sub free in a mixed gender dorm worked well for my conservative freshman this year