same ^^
i also wrote about a person who influenced me significantly. it’s not a great essay, but… it exists so…
My son wrote about Princeton’s service to the nation
I chose the last prompt, where you give a quote and then talk about an experience that helped define your values. The quote I chose was from one of Woodrow Wilson’s essays, and I talked about Boys State. My Common App essay was way better IMO.
It is so subjective after an initial grade/stat/rigor filter.
Check out the Amherst adcoms in this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y-OLlJUXwKU
At some point one of them says something to the effect of “there are times I don’t know why I put my hand up for a candidate or don’t put my hand up”.
Good luck to you all!
I chose the culture essay!
me too, I chose the culture essay and wrote about food cultures.
Choose your own quote!
Hello! Ill join the thread as I am also applying Princeton SCEA. Best of luck to everyone!
@Izha97 When did you submit your application? I am looking forward to the interviewer for the chance to get to know an alum and ask some questions! Good luck!!!
@collegebound1915 I submitted it on Oct. 31st. Apparently I got the same interviewer as one of my seniors who got in.
Does anybody know if Princeton reads applications based on region? (i.e. if the applications are sorted into regional piles such as West, Northeast, Midwest, South, etc. before they are read)
I don’t know exactly but, unlike many colleges, they say they don’t have regional admissions representatives.
Lurking on an old Princeton thread, I found this:
The admissions process includes two readers who evaluate your Common Application first, read your essay and additional info, then decide if they want to read your supplement based on what they read in the Common App. They can either toss it or keep reading. They’ll read your supplement, anything you attached, then read your letters of rec last. They then take into consideration any other feedback, such as from faculty who have listened to your Arts Supplement. They grade the survivors and send them off to committee, where everyone skims your file and grades you once more. They whittle down the pool until they get to the desired 700ish candidates.
Thanks to alfawarlord! Just thought it may help.
Hey guys, I wrote the essay about the quote, and so did a few people I know.
Do you know if interviews are assigned at different times based on region?
Damn…I hope at least my file makes it to the committee
@tcdcollege I have no idea, I’m waiting for an interview as well but I’m an international student so I’m not even sure if there’s an interviewer available or not -_-
@tcdcollege Yes, interviews are assigned based on availability.
@meaa7130 Ouch, that really hurts. Hopefully the two people that read my application first are in a good mood, because I really want my file to make it to committee.
I like to think of this entire process as cellular respiration, except that Princeton is the cell and we are the glucose molecules being devoured.
It’s kind of like this…
A 3,850-applicant molecule enters Princeton! First, the large 3,850-applicant molecule is digested and split into several smaller applicant molecules. These smaller molecules are then assigned to two enzymes for “glycolysis”. Some of the molecules are lucky and are assigned to two weak enzymes, which send them off to committee without breaking them down too much. Others are unlucky and are assigned to two strong enzymes, which tear them up to shreds and send them to the rejection pile, or in terms of respiration, into carbon dioxide and water.
Once glycolysis is complete, the lucky applicant molecules that survive enter the “Krebs Cycle” (or the committee). Each applicant is entered into the cycle one by one. There, the cell scrupulously examines each molecule for his or her potential (energy).
The eight steps of the Krebs/Committee Cycle are as follows:
- If the transcript/GPA isn’t up to par, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step two.
- If the Common App essay isn’t that great, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step three.
- If the standardized test scores aren’t good enough, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step four.
- If the student doesn’t have leadership experience, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step five.
- If the student doesn’t show passion, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step six.
- If the teacher recommendations aren’t that great, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step seven.
- If the supplement isn’t too good, the molecule is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide. If the molecule survives, it moves on to step eight.
- Lastly, if Princeton just doesn’t like the student enough, it is ripped up and sent out as carbon dioxide.
In the end, only about 700 lucky applicant molecules remain. The potentials of these applicants are then harvested by NAD+ and sent to the electron transport chain. There, the resulting proton gradient enables H+ to move through ATP synthase and generate ATP.
This ATP is then expended by the applicants when they receive the prized acceptance letter from Princeton in mid-December. As for the deferred and rejected… well, they just get a bunch of carbon dioxide and water. And a lot of water too, as they will spend several nights crying themselves to sleep.
Haha I don’t know why I did this… 
@azwu331 I loved this! Bonus marks for the creativity. Thanks for the smile and all the best on your application.
Ahh I was contacted for an interview, and I’m super surprised, I didn’t think there was anyone in my area! I need some help; I’m so nervous! For clothing, should I go all out proper and formal, or a bit laid back? Should I bring anything? Anyone know what questions they are likely to ask? Any other feedback/advice would be much appreciated! I’m drowning in anxiety and I really hope I don’t blow it. XD
@Cantiger Thank you! Best of wishes on your application as well. 