What Princeton looks for?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>I know this question has probably been answered a million times, but as a current sophomore in high school who hopes to be part of the Princeton Class of 2017, I would like to know from current/past Princeton students: why do you think you got accepted into Princeton? I know grades, GPA, SAT scores and what not are all very important factors, but what do you think made you special and different than the rest? Is it preferred to focus on only a few extracurriculars and stand out or do a wide array of activities? As of now, I think I'm on the right track, but please give me some insight. Anything would be greatly appreciated!</p>

<p>As of now, I have a 4.0 unweighted GPA. (Freshmen at my school don't take honors or AP's. The only 'advanced' classes offered are through the GATE program in California) I took the SAT in seventh grade for a program called CTY and scored about a 1550-1600. Hopefully by junior year that score will increase dramatically. My classes this year include: Honors Chemistry, Honors Math Analysis (which is basically precalc), GATE English (no AP's for sophomores), AP Euro History, AP Stats, Forensics (speech and debate), and band. Once again, any input would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!</p>

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<p>I am not trying to come off as a jerk by saying this. But the three people who i know who got into Princeton just did what they wanted, they did not care about it too much until the end of junior year. By my personal experience, college admissions are extremely talented in picking out people who only do what they do for admissions. </p>

<p>But besides that, i heard Princeton, out of all the ivy’s, puts a lot of weight on test scores and ap’s, and less on ec’s. This is compared to all the other ivy’s you still need some solid ec’s.
-not sure how viable this information is.</p>

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<p>Nobody I know who currently attends Princeton ever had the need to ask other people what they should do.</p>

<p>I, too, think you’re on the wrong track.</p>

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<p>^^^ I think this whole “how should I change myself to better fit the [insert college here] mold” phase will pass soon as you realize that no school is worth changing your personal hobbies, goals and personality.</p>

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<p>Just make sure you’re working hard on things you care about and enjoy. That won’t necessarily get you in, but neither will anything else, so just do your best and be happy.</p>

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<p>I wasn’t in GATE :(. No one thought I was smart when I was in elementary/middle school. And then in high school, I realized they were wrong lol, and here I am in the top quintile at Princeton.</p>

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<p>Lol, they have GATE in high school for you guys? That was like an elementary school thing, no?</p>

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<p>

Unfortunately, one thing they are not looking for is a part of your name (hint: not “the” and not “legend”)</p>

<p>But just look at the thread for last year’s accepted class (class of 2014) and look at ECs and stats</p>

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<p>Let me clarify what I’m trying to ask:</p>

<p>I am not trying to “alter” myself to fit Princeton’s requirements. I have my own personal interests, both academic and non-academic, and plan to pursue them. I don’t intend on changing myself just to look good in front of colleges. I’m just curious about what types of activities other students who got into Princeton did. I know they’re into the whole “be yourself” thing, and I totally agree with that. I’m not trying to ask people what they did and follow other people’s footsteps (sorry if my question caused that inference). I probably shouldn’t have made “What Princeton looks for?” as the title of this thread, so forgive me.</p>

<p>@sd6: GATE in high school and GATE in elementary school are two COMPLETELY different things. Elementary school GATE was all about learning other subjects you wouldn’t normally learn at the elementary school level (i.e. architecture, art) GATE in high school is kind of like Honors classes but they don’t give you the enhanced GPA. </p>

<p>@scrivener: There is no real meaning behind the name I’m using. I don’t mean to come off pretentious with my username, I promise. It’s just a username on a forum! But I will check out the stats, thanks.</p>

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<p>^ All scrivener meant is that Chinese people are overrepresented so they are not exactly sought out in college admissions.</p>

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<p>Pink polo shirts, pearls, etc. A legacy is also very helpful.</p>

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<p>A propensity for making money and donating it to alma maters.</p>

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<p>You’ve answered your own question. I imagine, as at other top schools, you’ll find as many answers to the “What did you do in high school?” question as you will students at Princeton. They look for involvement and accomplishment (I’d say passion too, but I don’t subscribe to the passion argument, except in the sense that passion leads to involvement and accomplishment). Do your own thing.</p>

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<p>Be a man. Do the right thing.</p>

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<p>I am not going to let anyone down. I think everybody and anybody has a chance at admissions into ivy league colleges there are 8 of them, and if you work hard enough and what you love to do, than you can make it, and if no there are over 10,000+ college in the world, and some are even called “Baby Ivies”, DON’T GIVE UP! Please, keep in contact with admissions officers and let them know you are interested! </p>

<p>Taken from the Princeton.edu website:
What does Princeton look for in its applicants?</p>

<p>We review each application individually to get a sense of that student’s particular combination of strengths. We don’t have a profile of the ideal applicant or the ideal class. In fact, one of Princeton’s greatest strengths is the variety of talents, personal qualities, experiences and points of view in each incoming class. There are some qualities we hope all Princeton students share: integrity, a deep interest in learning and a devotion to both academic and nonacademic pursuits. Many students also bring distinctive academic and extracurricular talents and achievements. Beyond those fundamental qualities, we consider how each candidate might contribute to the community we will bring together for that year’s class.</p>

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<p>Here’s an interview with Dean Rapelye on FB. Good luck to you all…</p>

<p>[Videos</a> Posted by Princeton University: “Conversation With ?” Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye, Part 1 [HQ] | Facebook](<a href=“http://www.facebook.com/video/video.php?v=10150242631345231]Videos”>"Conversation With …" Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye, Part 1 | Do you have a question you would like to ask Princeton Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye? In this first installment of the "Conversation With..." series,... | By Princeton University | Facebook)</p>

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<p>I am currently a sophomore in high school and have my mind set on princeton, vassar, or yale. After touring princeton’s campus yesterday, I felt inspired to research things that will help you stand out to colleges. Aside from my 4.0 in all HP classes (there are no AP classes available this year), i am a member in 4 school clubs as well as an Adventures Cross Country alumni, a teen service based summer program in which you spend 2 months in a 3rd world country, and i also have my own club that makes products such as lip balm and candles and sells them, donating all profits to a village i visited when i went on my ARCC trip to thailand last summer. I also am a member of the JV Tennis Team and JV Track Team and I was co-captain of our school’s equestrian team up until last year when my horse got injured. I find it offensive that you say “you’re on the wrong track” because if anything, my motives only augment to my proactive mindset in achieving my goals. </p>

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<p>@ediedenker‌ Lol this thread is 4 years old.</p>

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<p>Please use old threads for research only. If you have a question, start a new discussion. Closing.</p>