Should I apply to Princeton Early Action?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>I really like the school but it was really between Harvard, Yale, and Princeton for where I will apply early. I would like to go to the one that gives me the best chance so I don't have to worry as much in the RD rounds. Do I have a good shot or should i apply elsewhere?</p>

<p>Statistics:
Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): Sitting 1: CR=690, M=780, W=780 (E=10)
Sitting 2: CR=750, M=740, W=670 (E=11)
Superscore: CR=750, M=780, W=780 (2320)
ACT: none
SAT II:
Freshman yr: 690 Bio M
Soph yr: 740 chem, 740 world history
Junior yr: 800 Math II, 800 USH, 780 Bio M
Unweighted GPA: 95.8
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 3%; I go to a very competitive specialized high school in NY (bronx science)
AP (place score in parenthesis): world history (5)
also took English Composition, Biology, and US History this year
IB (place score in parenthesis): none
Senior Year Course Load: AP spanish, AP Comparative Government, AP Chem, AP Calculus AB, AP Lit, Post-AP Biology, Math and Bio Research
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): Gold Medal at a Math fair, possible Intel semi-finalist, national merit scholarship semi-finalist, ap scholar</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Bio Journal (Editor), Lector and Alter Server at local church, Volunteer at Learn to Swim Program the last 6 years, Debate Team (2 yrs), Big Sib homeroom leader, random acts of kindness club (4 years), red cross club (2 years), editor of Exposition social science magazine, member of Math Bulletin.
Job/Work Experience: Intern at Memorial Sloan-Kettering the last 2 years.
Summer Activities: Internship, researching for intel project
Essays: working with a professional
Teacher Recommendation: English--should be very good
Bio Research--also has potential
Counselor Rec: I think it will be good.
Additional Rec: Probably from my Msgr in the church or my Intel Mentor</p>

<p>State (if domestic applicant): NY
Country (if international applicant):
School Type: Large Public ~5800 students
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 100-120k+, no FA is all i know really
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): First generation college (none of my parents went to school, they are immigrants to this country)</p>

<p>Please help me with
Reflection
Strengths:
Weaknesses:
And which school I should choose for REA!! I'd like to apply to the one I have the best chance of getting into.</p>

<p>I am currently a senior who will likely choose a science (biology) major.</p>

<p>THANK YOU!!</p>

2

<p>You are talking about three of the toughest schools to get in to. Your stats are strong but really a roll of the dice. First gen might help. Hope your list is broad. Are your counselors helpful?</p>

3

<p>yes they are very good. i go to a good high school that sends around 5 students to princeton each year. last year they accepted 7 students from my school.</p>

<p>and what do you mean by a roll of the dice? what in my application suggests that?
thank you</p>

4

<p>i think murphy just meant that it’s a roll of the dice for everyone:it’s hard to predict who will or will not get in. Even the people with the highest of scores and extensive activities are rejected from these schools</p>

5

<p>I agree with above posters. Harvard, Yale and Princeton are a reach for anyone – except someone who has a strong hook like athlete, legacy etc. Every year a number of 2400/valedictorians are not admitted. You definitely have a better chance of standing out in the early round, so I would suggest you try and figure out which of these 3 is the best fit for you and apply there. You can always apply to the others in the regular round later.</p>

6

<p>“and what do you mean by a roll of the dice? what in my application suggests that?”</p>

<p>When you hit “submit” to HYP, then it’s a roll of the dice. As I said to you in another post, your choosing which school to submit SCEA should be based on personal preference – not some evaluation of some statistical probability of which one will accept you during the SCEA round – because unless you’re a legacy (and you are not), that probability is unknowable. Period.</p>