So I recently got accepted into Princeton EA. Basically, I’m scared to go to Princeton because I know it is a very academically rigorous school. Obviously, I have worked hard in high school to get a 4.0, internships, ECs. People are saying “if you were able to get in, then you will be fine there.” But to be honest, I was COMPLETELY miserable in high school trying to do well in school and tests and everything. Even though I was miserable working hard, I knew I would be more miserable being a failure. At the same time, I’m also scared to not go to Princeton and waste this huge opportunity that I have been suffering for. AHHhhhHHhhhHhhhHh.
Usually the first year can be an adjustment. You will have to step up and it might be harder. So I recommend that you don’t overextend the first year esp the first semester. Pace yourself to ensure success until you get used to the new pace. College pace is so different. Less busywork, less class hours, more out of class effort. But def time for social activities. Also some majors are harder than others. Think twice before picking something, explore what suits you, and take it a bit easier on yourself.
Now that you have been accepted, the prospect of college is a reality. It is normal to have fears that you won’t be able to handle it or that you don’t deserve the acceptance in the first place. Your feelings are goind to be up and down and all over the place over the next several months. You obviously have something that Princeton wants. Enjoy the highs and ride through the low feelings. Congratulations!
Also, BrownParent is obviously a parent of an Ivy Leaguer so his advice comes from experience.
I’ve heard that Princeton is a tough school, and I understand how you feel. However, I believe the rigour is counteracted by amazing facilities and resources. I’d think Princeton has a small teacher to class ratio, for instance. Also, never underestimate the power of friends to help drive you through the tough times. Schools like Yale, I know, are very group-learning oriented, so even when activities are hard, there are people to help you thrash ideas around.
Also consider visiting the school, perhaps asking to sit in on a class, quizzing professors about the course-load. Maybe also searching up Princeton’s website to see if you can connect with an undergraduate that is taking courses you are interested in taking. If no such information can be found, perhaps call the admissions office to see if any similar possibility exists.
Cheers, and congratulations for making it to Princeton!
OP: what do you honestly like to learn? If grades were no issue, what area of academics really motivates you? Have you ever felt the freedom to choose solely because you enjoy a subject? I certainly hope so. Well, at any college, you’re not expected to be a 4.0 student. Likely you’ve been the smartest student in any classroom you’ve entered. Now the pressure is off, no one cares about your reputation or you’re being first. They simply want to be in the same study group as you, don’t need to be inspired by you but want simply to be your friend, they want good grades but know the earth isn’t going to split open if they graduate Princeton with a 3.1 GPA, and will emerge as high contributing members of society.
Life is MUCH more than grades. You’re going to have to face that realization at PTon or anywhere else. Perhaps you’d be best served with a requested gap year? PTon will gladly give this to you, if you ask. Think about it. Good luck
Well I go to princeton, and you’re not going to be happy here with that attitude. This school is very hard and you won’t get a GPA you are used to, however, if you accept this fact, then you will be happy here.
First of all, congratulations on your offer of admission!!
It sounds like you are dealing with a wave of “imposter syndrome” - the belief that you somehow are inadequate to succeed and that your offer of admission was a mistake…that somehow you ‘fooled’ them into offering you a spot. Many, many new admits to Princeton experience this issue…some worse than others. My now senior BSE son was one of the worst I have heard of yet. He knew about imposter syndrome and still felt that he was genuinely the imposter.
He entered Princeton in the fall of 2012 absolutely terrified that he was going to fail out and struggled with those feelings well into the fall semester. We had several phone calls where he was essentially in tears on the other end of the phone, saying things like he needed to switch majors to something easier (BSE is extremely demanding at Princeton). Instead, we encouraged him to stick with it through the whole first year and to reassess at the end of that year. We also prompted him to go to office hours and to take advantage of the free tutoring Princeton offers. He also took the time to talk to students in more advanced years to gain some perspective.
By second year he changed his focus from grades to simply learning the material. As a result his grades went up significantly. By third year he was receiving prompts from his profs and a letter from the dean of his residential college commending him for his excellent progress and suggesting he consider grad school and applying to various fellowships etc. Now a senior, he is taking a few grad level classes, doing research and applying to grad school. He is finding the work load much less demanding and enjoying the research for his thesis significantly.
We have had many conversations and he is completely convinced that he would do it all over again. He has grown in leaps and bounds both academically and as a person. With graduation now just over 5 months away, he is taking some time to reflect and remember those early months. Princeton, it turns out, was the perfect fit in spite of his lack of confidence. Going there was the best decision he’s made.
The admissions office reviews thousands and thousands of applications every single year. If you were offered admission, you certainly have what it takes to succeed. You need to decide if you can be happy without a 4.0 because those days are over if you choose Princeton, and the misery of stress and unrealistic goals will continue if you are unable to let it go. The opportunity before you is not to attend a “big name” university but to grow and learn and explore in a very challenging and supportive environment. If that idea appeals to you, then turning it down would be an opportunity missed. If it doesn’t, you might consider other schools where the grading is not quite as rigorous. You are able to be equally successful at those schools as at Princeton.
I wish you all the best!