Princeton University is looking for Something in its applicants, but what is it??!

Applying to College
1

<p>I've talked with some of the science teachers at my school, and the discussion topic finally came down to Princeton Univerisity...</p>

<p>We've concluded that Pton must be looking for something that other top-prestige schools aren't looking for as hard.</p>

<p>For example, both of them know plenty of top-notch ppl (former HS classmates, students, friends, etc.) who have been accepted to Harvard, JHU, MIT, Caltech, etc. but all were also rejected by Princeton.</p>

<p>this isn't just one case, it's like, 5-7 cases. Is there something I'm missing here?</p>

2

<p>I heard Princeton wants students who are well-rounded academically, but excel in one extracurricular area. (I have no idea if it's true)</p>

3

<p>but obviously, if the applicants were accepted to places like Harvard, Caltech, etc. they HAVE to have what you just listed... There's gotta be something else. What about the school report?</p>

<p>Oh, and I'm flipping out because I'm applying to Pton ED</p>

4

<p>No, there are a lot of Harvard acceptees who are more well-rounded in terms of extracurriculars - that is they don't really excel in one field. They have the typical leaderhsip positions and a solid list of ECs, but they can't necessarily list a whole lot of awards for one activity. I don't know if I'm explaining this right, but yeah.</p>

5

<p>I don't know much about Princeton admissions, but I have heard they practice strategic admissions -- it's statistically more likely that you'll get into Princeton if your SAT score is in the 92nd percentile (about 1330 old SAT) than if it's 98th percentile (about 1460 old SAT). (See data [url=<a href="http://papers.nber.org/papers/w10803.pdf%5Dhere%5B/url"&gt;http://papers.nber.org/papers/w10803.pdf]here[/url&lt;/a&gt;], page 9.)</p>

6

<p>makes sense people who probably apply there with a 1330 will mostly likely have a great hook that will get them in. People with 1330s generally dont apply to Princeton unless they have a great hook or are a urm. While people with a 1460 might not have any good EC's and apply there hoping to get lucky due to their sat</p>

7

<p>Well, the conclusion that the authors of that study draw is that Princeton is intentionally selecting people with lower SAT scores in order to increase their yield (by decreasing the number of people for whom they will have to engage in cross-admit battles).</p>

8

<p>all speculation, really, and not particularly relevant now that a new admissions director is calling the shots.</p>

9

<p>hmmm...i got a 1420... HERE I COME PRINCETON!!!! :D haha uhhh...what would count as a hook taht could get me in, other than sports or like all east coast orchestra/band?</p>

10

<p>I know that a senior who graduated from my school last year had a nearly flawless application and got into HYS but waitlisted from Princeton. So if there is something going on, I wouldn't be surprised.</p>

11

<p>The new admissions director is no longer looking to admit the lower SATs to raise percentages. They are however looking for performing artists...</p>

12

<p>Hey, look at it this way, if you have an olympiad medal you have a pretty good chance!</p>

<p>Oh wait...i don't have any medal....i'm screwed</p>

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<p>My son got in with SAT scores similar to spongebob squarepants (I can't believe I typed that). He was a home schooled, white male from Long Island, NY....not the easiest demographic to be admitted from.
His hook was his art portfolio, great essays and EC's.
Bottom line.....You have to stand out. The admissions staff read 1000 apps each. Your essays have too shine.</p>

14

<p>First of all, read last year's Princeton ED admissions thread to get an idea of the kinds of students who did and didn't get in ED: <a href="http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=15049%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/showthread.php?t=15049&lt;/a&gt;.&lt;/p>

<p>Secondly, Princeton is one of the smallest Ivy Leagues and yet has a large number of sports teams. I've read in various places that a high percentage of the student body is recruited athletes, thus the low SAT scores. I read one article that said science faculty were complaining a few years ago that they wanted more students who excelled academically, particularly in the sciences. I also agree that the new Dean of Admissions has a different agenda. </p>

<p>The past few years they have been trying to recruit more low income students and this year's class has the highest percentage of students on financial aid in the history of the school (55%).</p>

15

<p>The new agenda is "students with green hair" but that would be Tilghman's thing. Also they look for students with parents that can bake:)</p>

16

<p>Mmm, yes, but the "green hair" on paper will most likely be evident in things like essays, ec's, and recs. In other words: looking for creative thinkers, innovators, those who have talents and use them...those sorts of things. A person can have any color hair and wear anything at all and have an independent mind that will challenge classmates or uniquely approach a problem. Just my take on it.</p>

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<p>College<em>Here</em>I_Come! -</p>

<p>Maybe it's your high school more than anything special that Princeton is lookig for in its applicants. Perhaps it just never has developed a relationship or reputation with Princeton. We have a similar situation at our school but it's with Yale. Top kids here get into Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, and MIT. But Yale? --> Nada!</p>

18

<p>cricket....you are so right.</p>

<p>My son is very green on paper but wears blazers and striped ties on campus occasionally.</p>

19

<p>This is a really interesting thread. Many are applying ED so that should take out the yeild factor as almost 100% of the ED's will attend. But it does seem that strong EC people are being admitted. </p>

<p>I like it. My rugby might actually help me!</p>

20

<p>so basically excatly what i said</p>