<p>I'm a Princeton 2015 hopeful, but I'm seeking some input on science and math classes in high school. I go to a small private school and have exhausted my science and math options. I've taken Honors Bio, Anatomy, Honors Chem, and AP Physics and I completed AP Calculus AB this year.<br>
My main question is if Princeton can "hold it against me" in the admissions process if I don't have more science and math since I have no more options within my high school. I know that Princeton obviously places a lot of importance on academics. I'm planning on taking a second year chem course through a state school's online component, but is there something more I should be doing?<br>
Thank you so much for any input/observations/advice/personal experience!</p>
<p>As long as you have taken the toughest courseload available to you, Princeton will not penalize you.</p>
<p>What type of applicant do you hope to portray yourself as? The academic powerhouse, the bright and interesting kid with incredible EC’s, the athlete, the disadvantaged applicant? No one fits neatly into any of these descriptions, but you get the idea. If you’re trying portray yourself as the academic powerhouse, then yes you should try to go above and beyond what is available to you at your high school because that’s what everyone else in this category does. If you’re the EC kid, the athlete/legacy, or disadvantaged applicant then it’s not important. My larger point is that you shouldn’t look at admissions in terms of Princeton penalizing you or holding something against you. Princeton doesn’t admit applicants based on who makes the fewest mistakes – the Office of Admission accepts the students whose applications are the most compelling.</p>
<p>Thank you very much, this is really helpful!
Weasel8488, do you think it’s possible to portray yourself as more than one of these types of applicants? Or just stick to one? How would you do that? Also, what do you think would stand out to Princeton as really going above and beyond what is available to me at my high school? Thanks so much!</p>
<p>I think the most common combo is super-smart kid with really strong EC’s, and like I said, don’t take the categories too seriously – just be conscious of how adcoms will perceive you. Many students who want to “go above and beyond” take classes at their local community college or do independent research projects for Siemens, Intel, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>