@debate4ever - there are no correlations - too many exceptions.
Here is an obvious exception from last year:
“@LukeBK - I didn’t get any letters, but I got admitted. There is NO CORRELATION between getting the tax form confirmation and getting admitted.”
i know that even this won’t put everyone’s minds at ease, but I think it’s pretty definitive, esp. combined with @azwu331’s observation that there were exceptions
@collegebound1915@PantherLair Let me offer a bit of a different perspective on the SATII conversation. When Princeton announced that SATII’s were no longer required, they would have done so believing there are any number of valid reasons an applicant did not take these tests. Unless there was a question on the application that read, “Did you take the SATII’s? yes/no If no, state the reasons why,” then an explanation is not required for your decision and a valid reason is assumed.
Having dealt with a number of different departments on campus in my son’s 3 1/2 years there as well as the months leading up to admission and matriculation, I can say with a high degree of confidence that you most certainly are viewed in the very best light and assumed to be truthful and forthcoming. This is a very different culture than the high school scene where you often need to prove yourself and the reasons behind your decisions.
As an example, just prior to fall of my son’s sophomore year we met with the Financial Aid office to explain why my son could not have a summer job and contribute the expected amount to his expenses for fall (he was training all summer for his sport). Instantly the FA officer cut his required contribution in half, adding the other half in further grant funds and offering an interest free (until 6 months after graduation) loan to him for his half. He simply needed to sign the form stating why he could not work. I asked if we should detail his summer activities and she said it was not necessary - if he felt he could not work they trusted his decision. This was shocking to us (in a wonderful way). Yet it’s been how he and we have been treated every step along the way in his Princeton experience.
All this is to say that if you did not take the non-required tests admissions will assume you had a good reason for it. Certainly having the test results does contribute positively to your application, particularly where it showcases your strengths, but if the tests are not required you will not be penalized for their absence.
With complete respect to @Cantiger 's helpful post, I’m adding that there are exceptions. As I’ve said before, if you’re homeschooled, as my son is, you’ll need those SAT IIs & a few other things not required of traditional students.
I think I’m/my son is the only homeschooler on this thread though, so I’ll stop talking about the matter.
@Cantiger Thank you so much for this - it honestly just made my day. Your post was clear, insightful, and just makes sense - I have had some fairly unkind people on CC assume I am “screwed” because I didn’t submit, but my intuition has always told me that Princeton does not see it this way. It is amazing to hear that Princeton puts so much faith in both their applicants and students, and this is something that further inspires me to want to attend this amazing university. Thank you again for taking the time to share.
Does anyone know how Princeton weights arts supplements? I know this year they are expanding their fine arts program, but Im not quite sure how that plays into admission. Also, would anyone like to crank up the number of views on my supplement video? lol
@CautiousOptimist I hope that my GPA gets past their filters, and I agree about my test scores. I got perfect scores on both SAT and ACT reading, and decent math scores (got 1 question wrong on the math SAT which dropped it to a 750 :/, and my writing is above 700, so I hope they look past that.
@skotti I applied Early to GT! (princeton scea lets you apply to public schools early) so hopefully I will get in. Its a wonderful school, and I sat down with the an admissions higher up of Aerospace and I think he liked me, so hopefully I get in! The only issue is that I would have to fly, but from where I live, they’re only $100 round trip so I think I’ll be good And wow, your husband has my dream job, I would like to go into Aerospace/Buisiness!
@52balletvieta that’s amazing!!! Lol just joining now… but yeah I submitted a violin recording and meh. (I also did not receive the confirmation email after sending the forms )
@PantherLair Princeton offers score choice so they only see the results you disclose. If you included that you took the SATII’s on your application, they would know you took them but did not report. Otherwise they have no way of knowing what you took and what you didn’t.
Been following this thread for the past couple days, so I thought I’d contribute: I did not receive a confirmation email for the tax stuff, only an email asking for them on Dec 2, about 3 weeks after I sent the financial aid form. After I sent them, I didn’t receive anything else from Princeton (other than the portal email).
@52balletvieta I’d also like to say that was awesome!
I submitted a creative writing supplement (poetry), though I wish I could’ve submitted a music supplement for oboe (probably would’ve been more impressive) yet I don’t have the guts to play alone and do a flawless job (so hats off to you!)