<p>Lol, well, there is a story about my GPA (which isn't that low i think . . . considering); don't be sorry, you are just being realistic. I respect the realism, so don't be sorry.</p>
<p>Something is a little fishy in Denmark. Sorry, but if you do all the things you say you've done and the classes you've taken doesnt add up to a 23 ACT. Sorry, but that is mediocre NO MATTER who you are. IF all of this is true(which my intelligence tells me it is not), you need at least a 28 ACT regardless of life cirucmstances. I hate to put it bluntly, its true.</p>
<p>Well, test scores aren't everything. And if your intelligence tells you what I have been saying is a lie, you must be pretty ****ing stupid. I hate to put it bluntly, but it's true. Before you open your ass hole, investigate a little bit more. I bust my ass off to do what I do, and someone like you isn't going to tell me that I am lying about it. I hope you understand.
'nuff said. </p>
<p>MeTaLhEaD.</p>
<p>The truth of the matter is, Metalhead, Princeton is a very selective school. You can try your best despite circumstance, and have others illustrate your super high levels of work ethic through rec letters, and I believe Princeton will take all of this into account.</p>
<p>However, the whole recruited athlete thing is probably not something you can realistically accomplish in a short period of time. Most recruited athletes are at the top of the game, and the recruiting process is also very rigorous. Many have been doing what they do for years and have scores higher than a 23 ACT.</p>
<p>Consider this conversion chart. A 23 ACT is about a 1060-1080 on the old SAT (scaled to the new 2400 scale, it's roughly 1590-1620). This is dangerously low for Princeton, and even most top colleges. Maybe only 8 people or so would have a score like this in a given admitted class, and they all probably have extraordinary strengths elsewhere that heavily, heavily outweigh the bad scores (I am talking beyond a reasonable doubt, ten times over).</p>
<p>You'd need <em>at least</em> something like a 28 ACT to even begin to graze into an acceptable threshold -- even then it is not a score that is good enough to set you apart from the masses and give you an edge. Your GPA is good and you seem to be a very hardworking person with a lot of activities and sports, but getting recruited is not going to happen, but this doesn't mean you can't try other things.</p>
<p>I'd advise focusing on academics and trying to get a good score. Take the ACT again after getting some preparation material, or try the SAT and SATII's. All those tests have more than enough practice material to get you acquainted with what you should expect. A little preparation can really do a lot for you here. </p>
<p>You don't have to be a valedictorian to get into Princeton, but you are taking the hardest load available and seem to be making great use of the resources available to you despite the foster care situation and your weekly work hours. Get some really great recs and keep the grades up. If you can just jack the scores up a bit higher, I think you'd have a much, much better shot at things.</p>
<p>I might also add that you should search for the old posts by Xiggi as others have said. Part of doing well on the SAT test is being able to understand the types of questions they will throw at you. Any good soldier knows his battlefield before going to war.</p>
<p>Thanks for the information legendofmax. I definitely agree with what you say. I am not looking into being an actual swimmer for Princeton, especially with the short time I have been swimming. Frankly, the fact of the matter is the realistic approach. And this process has to be dealt with in a realistic manner. So I definitely agree with you.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>Ok MeTaLhEaD, I apologize. All I wanted to say is that someone with your previous qualifications should be able to beat the SAT or the ACT with ease. Sorry, but a 23 on the ACT's pretty much puts you in the auto-reject pile. Look, if you don't get that ACT past 30, Princeton will think that your school allows anyone to take hard classes. Also, your college classes will be discredited as well. Do yourself a favor and study for the ACT and get a 33+. Again, I'm sorry if I seemed offensive, but your ACT will raise some eyebrows at your accomplishments at most schools, especially a school as competitive as Princeton.</p>
<p>Agreed. Fortunately for you it's still relatively early in the process and there are several more write dates...I'd take advantage of them (with alot more preparation obviously).</p>
<p>Thanks for the understanding FredFred, and I do agree with you. I have no idea why I have such a low score on that even after taking my courses at the community college and the AP's at my high school (the content on the ACT isn't covered in any class . . . except math, obviously). The courses at the community classes are hard as hell, and the majority of AP's at my high school are damn good courses too. All the AP's have a minimum of a 3.0 GPA prerequisite and teacher recommendation. But the 23, yeah, everyone was confused, myself included. It was the reading and English section that was a killer. But I will definitely practice.</p>
<p>Thanks.</p>
<p>MeTaLhEaD.</p>
<p>English? If you are unable to provide proper verb tense etc on the ACT and claim to have all these classes, you are either: 1) Telling some fibs or 2) Are in a very easy school district. The ACT is the easiest test that you will ever take in highschool, and you got a 23 on it? You say that community classes are hard? I have been to 3 community colleges throughout highschool and didn't even bother buying the book for any of them, and still got an A. Something is fishy about your story. Give up princeton though.</p>
<p>he doesnt do well on the english part of the ACT section, so somehow he is a blatant liar. makes perfect sense.</p>
<p>I say, don't give up princeton. but also realize that is just a school. going to princeton is not going to make or break your life. consider other schools as well that accept a high amount of applicants with your ACT/GPA range... and MOST importantly, make your application reflect who you are and what you have told us so far. That is going to help you beyond the scores and the gpa... show the adcoms the hardworking guy beneath the application.</p>
<p>When 1MX said give up Princeton, he did not mean don't apply, he just meant don't get too emotionally attached to it because there is a really slim chance the OP will be accepted with his current ACT score. Again, up your ACT, maybe go easy on your other ECs and classes so you can improve the score. Also, as doctor noted, look at some other schools like tier II and tier III schools that will gladly admit you.</p>
<p>My suggestion is to forget about sports as an admission vehicle to Princeton. Find a friend in high school who is absolutely brilliant in English, grammar, vocab, writing, etc. Get recommendations from teachers if necessary. Perhaps you could exchange their help for you helping them with math. Anyway, I would suggest you try to find more time (perhaps by cutting back on one of your sports ECAs?) and devote yourself to improving your ACT/SAT English scores. Get a book like the 2007 Kaplan with 12 SAT practice tests. Keep going over and over them until you figuring out what you're doing wrong. Start writing every day and ask a friend to edit your work (or even a teacher). If you can't afford to buy the books, they are also in libraries. Find a dedicated teacher who's willing to spend a little time with you. Bring them the practice tests and focus on getting help in the areas where you're weakest. No point in working on everything if you don't need it. The main thing is... ASK FOR HELP. Bringing up your low scores are much more important than having a large quantity of ECAs. Also, to have a plan B, check out the US News & World Report website, under Education. They even have a section called "A+ schools for B students." They rank schools, show their acceptance rates, percentage of students who receive financial aid, retention rate, amount of student debt for graduates, etc. Make improving those scores a big priority and it will pay off in a few months, I'm sure. Those are what's holding you back and with your dedication and commitment, I'm confident you can overcome the issue. Good luck.</p>
<p>Frankly, if you aren't a celebrity, or you don't fill a serious need of the school, don't count on anything.</p>
<p>wow. 3.9. That's awesome!</p>
<p>LOL, this is the longest chances thread I've ever seen :p</p>
<p>I know you explained the justification for this earlier, but I still don't understand how one can score so low on standardized tests but have the skills to take Differential Equations, Analytical Physics, Organic Chem, etc.</p>
<p>Those classes are generally taken by college freshmen and even without preparation, you should be scoring very high on your testing.</p>