Unique Situation - Do I have a chance at Princeton?

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>I've recently been rejected by Yale, which hasn't fased me in the least. I'm applying/have applied to 6 Ivy League schools, and thus expect a fair amount of rejection. However, I fear that my coursework may weaken my chances at Princeton, among other schools. What do you think?</p>

<p>OBJECTIVE</p>

<p>ACT: 33 Composite</p>

<p>SAT II: 740 US History, 800 Biology M, 710 Math I</p>

<p>AP Testing: Biology (5)</p>

<p>GPA (UnW): 3.94</p>

<p>Class Rank: 15/512 (Top 3%)</p>

<p>Senior Coursework: Honors Sociology and AP Psychology, Honors Physics, Honors Human Anatomy, Honors English Composition and AP Literature, Creative Writing
Prospective Major: Biochemistry/Molecular Biology</p>

<p>Misc. Coursework: 3 Years of Fine Arts (Sculpture), No Foreign Language (Save independent study of Latin), 3 Years Mathematics (4th year replaced with a 5th science class, Physics)</p>

<p>Awards: National Merit Commended Student; 6th Place in Biology (State Finals) from Worldwide Youth in Science and Engineering (WYSE); Yale Book Award</p>

<p>SUBJECTIVE</p>

<p>Extra-Curricular: Varsity Scholastic Bowl (2 years), Editor of the School Literature Magazine (Ranked #1 in Illinois), Mathlete (1 year), Student Volunteer Worker</p>

<p>Essays: Common App. essay is a personal reflection; a coming-of-age story of sorts, and the supplement essay is about how evolution completely changed my perspective and sparked my interest in life science.</p>

<p>Recommendations: Both are glowing. Personal insights from my history teacher (and scholar bowl coach), academic and intellectual compliments from my AP biology teacher.</p>

2

<p>You’ve completed only AP Bio so far?</p>

3

<p>Yes; I’ll have AP Psych and AP Lit in May.</p>

4

<p>“No Foreign Language (Save independent study of Latin)”</p>

<p>how long did you study latin independently? b/c don’t colleges pretty much require at least 2 years (or the equivalent of 2 years) of the same foreign language?</p>

5

<p>Yes, and I was told that Fine Arts is equivalent to foreign language, assuming you take foreign language in college instead. In any case, I’ve studied Latin sporadically all 4 years.</p>

6

<p>Not to get hung up on the Foreign Language thing, but Princeton states that, though not a requirement, it would like to see 4 years of a single foreign language COURSE on your transcript. Independent study of Latin is cool and maybe admirable, but fine arts is by no means a replacement for foreign language.</p>

7

<p>Have you taken any exams that demonstrate your mastery of Latin?</p>

<p>Honestly, I think you need to have a good list of schools that include some more clear matches and safeties. You may get into an Ivy school, but you may not get into any of them.</p>

8

<p>Right, and I planned for that. I’m applying to Harvard, Princeton, U Penn, Cornell, Dartmouth, Stanford, WashU STL, NYU, and SLU (already accepted w/ a large scholarship). WashU is local (I’m from the St. Louis area), so I expect I’ll have little trouble getting accepted, seeing as how they place so much emphasis on visits, interviews, and general intention to attend. My application to Ivy League schools was just to see if I could get accepted.</p>

<p>In any case, I find it sad that my chances of getting into a good school are significantly diminished not by a lack of intellectual promise, but by my choice of creative development over learning a language I have no interest in or use for (if my school had offered Latin, I would have jumped at it).</p>

9

<p>A word about Wash U in St. Louis. I wouldn’t assume that you are a shoe-in there by any means. My D was waitlisted despite visits, interviews, major demonstrated interest, higher scores and GPA and 4 years of language. Accepted to Princeton and Harvard. Waitlisted at Wash U. They are extremely sensitive to people using them as a “back-up” to the Ivies- if they perceive that in any way, I think they’ll pass on the admission.</p>

10

<p>Why didn’t you take the Latin SAT II?</p>

11

<p>Out of fear, mostly. I didn’t know what was going to be on the test. That, and several schools suggested that math should be one of the two/three SAT II’s I took (so I did), biology was an obvious choice for my major, and I had taken AP US History, so I figured I was decently qualified to take that test.</p>

12

<p><em>sigh</em> So confrontational. Had I known it was going to be this nit-picky, I would have been suiting up for college from the get-go. Shame on me for waiting so long.</p>

13

<p>If you post here, folks are going to zero in on the gaps in your credentials. The lack of a foreign language is a significant one. I think you should at least explain in your applications that you’ve been studying Latin.</p>

14

<p>Does your school offer a lot of AP courses? If not, I would not worry about it. Universities and colleges make their decisions based on whether or not you are taking the most challenging courses at your school; they do not just compare the number of AP classes each applicant has taken or is taking.</p>

15

<p>I might be concerned about improper use of the English language, as the word is “faze.”</p>

16

<p>Consider doing the Arts Supplement to showcase your sculpture and fine art expertise. Check the directions and follow them to the letter.</p>

17

<p>I’ve taken all but 2 of the available AP courses, and that’s mostly because of scheduling conflicts with the others (for example, I had to choose between AP Psych and AP Chem). My school doesn’t offer many AP classes, unfortunately.</p>

<p>Oh, and “fase” was a typo. I don’t generally proofread posts on forums for lack of concern, but I’ll fix it if it will make you feel better.</p>

18

<p>*if it makes you feel better.</p>

<p>i think you have a decent shot - no reall hooks…</p>

19

<p>Thanks…this makes me glad that I look over my essays so thoroughly…</p>

20

<p>“but by my choice of creative development over learning a language I have no interest in or use for (if my school had offered Latin, I would have jumped at it).”</p>

<p>LOL. because Latin has huge usefulness being dead and all. Spanish can never help you in the real world. No Americans speak it.</p>

<p>You have a shot at the lower ivies, but don’t set your heart on Princeton. The rejection rather than deferral from Yale should be a decent indicator. But regardless, best of luck buddy</p>