What is my chance in getting into Princeton University?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>I was in foster care. It was a family problem, but I am out now. I wasn't able to do anything while I was in it, except go to school, really.</p>

<p>As a result, I wasn't able to participate in any sports, or extra-curricular activities. But it's a new year now. Junior year. I was in foster care Freshman and Sophomore years.</p>

<p>I organize and go to many community service activities. I service at the soup kitchen, local cleanings, tutoring for high school and middle school students. Occasionally the colllege student. I organize all of the above sometimes with a group of people from my school.</p>

<p>I take the hardest classes and work my but off academically, and with sports and extra-curriculars. My high school only offers 7 AP courses, and I will be taking them all. AP Calculus AB, AP Government, AP Geography, AP History, AP Biology, AP English and AP Chemistry.
I also dual-enroll at our local community college. I by graduation I will have taken 12 courses there. Analytical Geometry and Calculus II, Analytical Geomery and Calculus III, Linear Algebra, Differential Equations, General Chemistry II, Organic Chemistry I, Organic Chemistry II, Analytical Physics I, Anayltical Physics II, Biotechnology, and two more courses, I haven't decided which ones yet.
I will have tested out/Independently studied five courses: English III, College Physics, Spanish III, Pre-Calculus, and Health.
I have a 3.9 GPA unwieghted. I have not taken the ACT or SAT yet, unfortunately.</p>

<p>I currently participate in three Varsity sports. Varsity Cross Country, Varsity Track, and Varsity Swim. I am trying out for Varsity Soccer next year, I couldn't this year because of a broken wrist.</p>

<p>I am also involved in four honor societies. The national honor socitey, the math, english, and art.</p>

<p>I also hold a job and work 20 or more hours a week.</p>

<p>With all of the above said, I would like to know my chances on being accepted into Princeton.</p>

<p>I am a great student, and could easily get recommendations.</p>

<p>Thanks, MeTaLhEaD.</p>

2

<p>If your SAT/ACT scores are good enough, I believe that with your combination of a stellar academic record and a compelling personal back round you have good chance. But please keep in mind that acceptance to any of the big three ivies is a total crap shoot.</p>

3

<p>you look good, as long as your SATs are decent...</p>

4

<p>Yeah I agree, looks like you're on the right track. Just get decent SAT scores and you should have a fighting chance.</p>

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<p>What should my backup safety plan be? Any suggestions?</p>

6

<p>It's entirely dependent on your scores.</p>

7

<p>Typically, applicants have their state schools as backups. (of course there are people who are absolutely dying to get out of their state :P)</p>

<p>And, as the others have said, it's looking very good as long as your scores are in range and write a compelling essay.</p>

8

<p>Thanks for all of your comments. I am planning on taking both the ACT and SAT. On the PSAT I did great on the math section, I earned a 70. But the reading and writing I didn't do so great on. On reading I earned a 48 and on the writing, I earned a 49. What does this say about my chances on the SAT? What about the ACT? I have to really work on my English. I have never been good with this type of testing for English, I never really did any of it in school. But I can write a damn good research paper. Lol, if I learned anything from English class, it was writing essays and research papers. But what are your guys' thoughts on this? What can I do to improve these mediocre scores? Average is just not good enough.</p>

<p>Thanks, MeTaLhEaD.</p>

9

<p>The PSAT is sometimes a good indicator of what you will receive on the SAT. I, however, did much better on the SAT than my scores of the PSAT. That being said, 48 and 49 are fairly low scores and, if translated into the rough-SAT-equivalent (480 and 490) are probably too low for Princeton.</p>

<p>I would go to a used bookstore or the library and begin to do some SAT prep. Read as much English as you can if you have trouble with it. Also, you may be able to take the TOEFL. Also remember that Princeton requires three SAT Subject tests, so look into which ones you might want to prepare for.</p>

<p>Is English your first language?</p>

10

<p>Lol, yes. English is my first language. I never really took these kind of tests, or prepared for these kind of English tests. We never really did anything with them in any of the schools I went to. Maybe it's a Michigan thing. I don't really have a trouble with English. Heck, for World Literature at my high school, I earned the highest grade in the course, and performed the greatest on all the tests and essays, and research papers. But I don't know what the problem is when it comes to this standardized test crap. Comment - - -</p>

<p>MeTaLhEaD.</p>

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<p>The best way to improve your reading and writing scores is to just read. All the time. Go to your library and get out some 19th century books (Dickens, Bronte, etc.) and keep a dictionary next to you as you read. Also, as j07 said, pick up some SAT prep books. You could also give the ACT a shot.</p>

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<p>If you're black, you're in.</p>

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<p>^^Affirmative action may exist at Princeton, but not if you're getting 500's on your SAT. It's not that biased (there are several debates over affirmative action...I'm not here to start a debate).</p>

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<p>try the- ACTsome students (like myself) find that test easier to score well on</p>

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<p>Read, read, and read some more. Practice reading anything and everything of quality that you can get your hands on. Read all the classics, look up every single word you don't know, and you will be set (I and other classmates learned this method in 8th grade and it got many of us perfect test scores).
Also be advised that you will have to take SAT IIs, and prepare for those.</p>

<p>I second the ACT recommendation. Some colleges (not sure about Princeton) allow you to bypass SAT IIs if you take the ACT with Writing.</p>

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<p>what you need to do to score well on the SAT 1 is basically incessant practice</p>

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<p>Let's create a scenario here. Let's say I just record the ACT scores on the application for Princeton, and I score around a 32-34 mark. With everything I have done to this point, and I earn that score on the ACT, are my chances still fine? What about if I score on the 30-32 mark? Does Princeton tend to want to see SAT scores reported, or ACT scores? Does it really matter? I could do both, but I would definitely want to record my higher scores, obviously.</p>

<p>Thanks, MeTaLhEaD.</p>

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<p>So, I just took a full-length SAT and I got my scores reported. Once again, I lack in the English. My total score was just over 1400. Not the greatest score to attempt to get into Princeton, eh? Comment.</p>

<p>MeTaLhEaD.</p>

19

<p>I used to be in a similar scenario in SAT scores as you are in. Here is some advice I gave another person a while ago:</p>

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<p>I went from a 156 PSAT to a 2300 SAT I :). Hope that helps!</p>

20

<p>Thanks, for all the comments. Well: come on! Keep them coming, I enjoy reading all of the comments people have. They are interesting, and I will definitely put all of them to good use to make myself better to increase my acceptance rate. This has been a life-long goal for me. Well, probably since late middle school years. To be accepted to Princeton of course. I really never thought about the SAT/ACT in middle school, lol. I was too busy partyin' it up w/ my high school buds. Anyways, keep those comments comin'!</p>

<p>MeTaLhEaD</p>