<p>What state are you?</p>
<p>I'm from Wisconsin, where you only need to get to semis (or quarters if it's a large enough tournament) to get to state.</p>
<p>^^In texas there are so many competitiors that they have to make the requirements harder otherwise our state debate tournament would be huge. Texas debate is really good the guy who won nationals this year lives in the same city I do and I lost to him at national qualifiers, and Texas also had 7 out of the top 16 at the TOC this year, my friend went to quarters at the TOC. And another girl from our city got second at the TOC. Nationals was a texas close out. Yep Texas rocks in debate.</p>
<p>You did all this at home? Are you sure? Did you use experimental data? Was it theoretical?</p>
<p>how did you get an w gpa of 5.54?!??!?!</p>
<p>lol, black. That's what will help you.</p>
<p>That is the biggest disparity I've ever seen between someone's Writing and CR. Most people I know had them almost the same; a 20 point difference or so. Weird. But yeah, as they're going to see your SATs, (and they're one of the schools that looks at writing), retake them if possible. It wouldn't have been so bad on the old school scale- 1440/1600 is solid- but 2070/2400 is dicey.</p>
<p>This is just beautiful.
I really hope you see this Dbate.</p>
<p>I'm very similar to you--I've been self-studying quantum mechanics, too! but i just started that this summer. But I've been learning math/science independently since 5th grade. I taught myself all of calc so that I could start learning hardcore physics, and now im trying to learn GR, E&M, etc.</p>
<p>But the thing is, where did you get the inspiration for your projects? Such as the tunneling of photons? Did you come up with the ideas on your own? Did you carry out all the research on your own? Did anyone encourage you throughout this process? How/where did you submit your work?</p>
<p>I'm very sorry for my deluge of questions, but the thing is, I've been wanting to talk to someone like you for a while. Even if I have worked hard and taught myself, I just don't know where/how to apply them, as in do some research on my own so I can submit it. Since I'm a senior applying to colleges, I think it's too late for me to do any of this cool stuff. Here, no one--not my parents, teachers, friends--seem to think much of me learning these things on my own. But if I was resourceful like you, I could have capitalized on it and shown them its value, not to mention get into an awesome college like Princeton. </p>
<p>That's basically it. Could you just share your experience with me?</p>
<p>For my ideas they arose from a chemistry book I got when I was in seventh grade. It was college level and introduced the entire concept of atomic transitions and everything and from that I did a two year study of almost literaly everything that occurs during electron transitions for the Helium atom. </p>
<p>After that I wanted to stick with atomic physics so I learned about wavefunction (took a while to understand) and that jazz, but the tunneling one was suggested by a judge at a competition who I was talking to. </p>
<p>It is really good that you learned the calc before the physics. I did it the other way around bc I found the physics concepts easy to grasp, but then had to spend a summer learing the math it is alot easier to learn the math and then the physics. </p>
<p>As far as motivation for applying research I got third in the state in my eight grade year and just keep doing it because I really enjoyed competitions (and trophies). In reality it is not too late at all, I mean you could go on and discover something really amazing we are only in high school our obituaries will not even mention this part bc we have literally just started life. </p>
<p>I did it entirely on my own (which meant ALOT of mistakes along the way :)) but I really just kind of liked physics I did not even think of applying to schools like Princeton bc I wanted to go to UT (university of texas for those who do not know), but Princeton's financial aid would make it cheaper. </p>
<p>You don't have to go to Princeton to capatilize on your interests, really any college with a sound science program will take you in the right directions, this is just the beginning we have an entire life of research to do. Good Luck!</p>
<p>Me and my roommate both scored 2070s on our SATs. We're both minorities and we were accepted without having done half of the things you have (in terms of research). I think you have a really good chance.</p>
<p>Thanks a lot Dbate. Really. It feels good to talk to someone similar to me.</p>
<p>Angie, may i ask about life at Princeton. I mean i am thinking about medical school and the grading policies seem to be harsh, does it make academic life more sternous? Also is Princeton considerably elitist? I know there are some really rich people does it affect life there for middle class types? Also what were your other stats?</p>
<p>so im guessing ap physics C is chump change for you</p>
<p>I've heard that Pre-med is pretty intense from some of my friends, but with the research you have already done, I honestly do not think that you will have any problem with it. It will be challenging, but that is what Princeton is all about. It definitely isn't impossible. Princeton is not as elitist as some people think it is. I was scared that it would be, but when I got here I noticed that there was nothing to worry about. There are rich people, but that definitely does not have any effect on life for middle class students. We all go to the same school and everyone has the same opportunities. I don't know about other people, but I don't even know if the friends I have here on campus are wealthier than I am. It just doesn't really come up. I had a 2070 SAT (630 CR, 760 M, 680 V). For the SAT II I took Chemistry: 750, US History: 660, English Lit. 640. My GPA was 4.67 weighted. My rank was 2/1048. I'm a Hispanic female from Elizabeth, NJ. My high school had never sent a student to Princeton. I am a first generation college student. My ECs were few but I was very dedicated to them (Marching band all 4 years of high school, played musical instruments since 2nd grade, toured the country with a music group for 2 years, public speaking, volunteer work, etc.) I also did a huge city-wide senior project to raise money for after school performing arts organizations in my city. So there really was nothing spectacular in terms of stats. I took the most rigorous course load possible which was a total of 8 APs and around 10 honors classes in my high school career. What I think really made my application stand out was my essay. It was very personal and even brought some people to tears. It was about the greatest influence in my life-my mother. However, it wasn't one of those stereotypical essays. Also, my mother wrote me a recommendation using the additional material part of the application and what she wrote was phenomenal. In my opinion, my stats were not that impressive but my personality made me stand out. I think you have great stats and as long as you make your personality shine through in your application then I think you have a really good chance.</p>