<p>I am avidly studying to gain acceptance into Princeton - yet everyone has a good SAT score and whatnot. I want to be a distinguished applicant.</p>
<p>Basically, does anyone know any famous (or not-so-famous) essay competitions/competitions or scholarships I can enter? I will be part of the class of '13.</p>
<p>thanks!</p>
<p>Since you mentioned USAMO in the thread title, I’ll touch upon that. While it does not guarantee admittance anywhere, being a USAMO qualifier is very beneficial and speaks quite a bit about a student’s mathematical and problem-solving mentality. However, if you have not already been an active member of the competitive mathematics community, your chances of qualifying for USAMO this year (the last year before you apply for colleges) are virtually zero. If you have any questions about the qualification process or anything regarding USAMO let me know.</p>
<p>I would also suggest other National Olympiads (UNSCO, USABO, USAPhO, etc.) or being a winner at Intel or Siemens as “famous competitions” to make you a “distinguished applicant.” However, these are all incredibly difficult to succeed in, and you should be aware that most students accepted to Ivy League and other top-tier schools have not gained acclaim in this sense. Don’t try so hard to give the colleges what you think they want. Instead, do things that truly interest you and better define you as a person. Trust me, you won’t regret doing what you love.</p>
<p>Thanks, I know my chances are slim for USABO and intel, I recently discovered that they even exist.</p>
<p>I already do what I love (ice hockey, science Olympiad, etc) but I feel like I don’t do enough compared to other applicants. Did you compete in any of the competitions you mentioned? I’m simply trying to stand out among the myriad applicants. </p>
<p><em>sigh</em> maybe I’ll make a charity or something of the sorts…</p>
<p>Don’t make a charity if you don’t enjoy it or if you’re not truly “passionate” about it. I guess you could try study for USABO (from what I’ve gathered, you pretty much have to own the Campbell textbook).</p>
<p>There are a lot of things you can do in ice hockey. Become the team captain. Win MVP. Offer classes to kids interested in hockey. Coach youth ice hockey. Start a fundraiser for ice hockey equipment.</p>
<p>You have endless options.</p>
<p>But don’t do it for the sake of impressing someone who will scan your application in two minutes.</p>
<p>Do it only if you truly enjoy it.</p>