Should I apply SCEA to Princeton?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

Hi,

I am currently a Senior and I’m applying to college this fall. I’m torn between applying early to Cornell or to Princeton. If I apply to Cornell, I have a much higher chance of getting in and I like Ithaca. But Princeton is really my First Choice. I’m especially attracted by its amazing Math department :). Do I look like I have a reasonable chance?

Statistics:
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 1590, 6-6-6 essay.
SAT II: 800 Math, 770 Chem, 730 USH, and I’m taking Bio in October.
Freshman yr: Nothing spectacular.
Soph yr: AP stats.
Junior yr: AP Chem, AP Calc BC, AP USH.
Unweighted GPA: 3.86
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): N/A
AP (place score in parenthesis): Stats (4), Chem, Calc, USH (5)
Senior Year Course Load: AP Physics, AP Bio, AP Comp Gov, ACP Spanish, Honors English, Multivariable Calc at Harvard Extension.
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Bunch of Science Olympiad awards, tied for National Forestry title at Envirothon, part of fourth place team at National Envirothon, (this probably doesn’t count) AIME qualification, (this probably doesn’t count either) 7th highest scorer at a local Math Competition.

Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Volunteer for Red Cross blood drives last summer, volunteer for the Calculus Project this summer, Science Olympiad, SciBowl, Envirothon, Math Team (Captain).
Job/Work Experience: Dishwasher at a local cooking school, mainly to make some money.
Summer Activities: CTY, All Girls All Math, Math classes on AoPS.
Essays: Good.
Teacher Recommendation: Should be fine but probably not GLOWING HOT.
Counselor Rec: Same

State (if domestic applicant): MA
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Public
Ethnicity: Asian
Gender: Female
Income Bracket: Medium? I really don’t know.
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation

Thanks so much,

Krissy1998

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@Krissy1998 course rigor, scores and grades are in the zone they need to be. Your ECs don’t captivate me. Not a lot of leadership in your ECs. Dishwasher job is interesting …is there a compelling essay in that experience?

Asian female interested in math isn’t doing you any favors. How 1st gen are you? Is that a compelling narrative?

Psy

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@Krissy1998 regarding your dishwashing job, check this article out: http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/14/opinion/sunday/to-get-to-harvard-go-to-haiti.html?_r=0

Something to consider,
Psy

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@psywar Your post reflects my worries. My essay is not about the dishwashing and the topic is bit long to explain but I trust it to be a good one. I don’t know what you mean by how 1st gen, but my parents never went to college in U.S. because we are immigrants. They barely speak English. Do you think it would be better for me to apply to Cornell?

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OP: This takes precedence " But Princeton is really my First Choice."

You’re viable for either. But given that statement, I would not encourage you to apply ED to Cornell. Take your chances with Princeton. Your strengths/weaknesses won’t change between now and December. Good luck.

(BTW: I was a dishwasher at a Chinese restaurant too!)

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If your parents went to college outside the US, you’re not first gen.

For most colleges, the definition of first gen is that neither of your parents graduated from a four-year college.

An article: http://thedartmouth.com/2014/10/15/colleges-differ-in-first-generation-definitions/

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You appear to be a viable candidate and I wouldn’t be surprised at all if you were accepted but, statistically, rejection is more likely.

Since Princeton is your first choice my advice is to apply early there. Good luck!