Hey guys!
Just to give some demographic context, I’m a white, middle class male who lives in Florida. I’m going into my senior year of high school and need some help on where to apply.
I’m thinking about majoring in English because writing is definitely my strong suit, but then again, political science is kind of intriguing, too. Philosophy also doesn’t sound half bad. But whatever—I digress.
I really, really, really want to go to Princeton, but money is tight, my SAT score is not up to par, and my extracurriculars are less than stunning. I can write, though, and am looking forward to drafting my application essays pretty soon. Take a look at my stats and see what I can do to improve them in the coming months. Princeton might (read: most definitely) not be attainable, but what would be?
Academics:
- 2nd in my class of ~500
- 4.0 uw GPA, 4.5 w
- AP Classes --- AP Human Geography: 5 --- AP World History: 5 --- AP Seminar: 4 --- AP Music Theory: 2 (we don't talk about this) Still waiting for scores in APUSH, AP Research, AP Calc AB, and AP Lang. If I had to guess, I'd say a 5 in APUSH, a 4-5 in Research, a 3-4 in Calc, and a 4-5 in Lang. I'm taking 7 more AP next year (don't worry, they're all actually classes that I'm looking forward to).
- SAT: 1360 (740 English, 620 Math, 6/6/6 on Essay) --- I just took it again yesterday and am also taking it for a third time in August. I didn't really study for it the first time around (the score above) and know I can bump it up.
- ACT: N/A
- SAT IIs: Looking at taking Bio E, Lit, and maybe U. S. History in October. Definitely the first two.
Extracurriculars:
- Band all 4 years---I play bassoon and mellophone (no leadership position though, which sucks. I'm not bitter, it's fine, I'm fine)
- Captain of Brain Bowl Team
- President of school chapter of English Honor Society
- Treasurer of school Mu Alpha Theta chapter
- Member of Rho Kappa (will probably get a leadership position next year)
- Member of National Honor Society (no chance of leadership here, which also sucks)
- Very involved in Latin Club, and just Latin in general (I've taken it all 3 years so far, taking AP in the fall)
- Volunteer activities with band, and maybe the JCC (still working on that last one)
- Various church activities
- Starting a book club at school this upcoming year
As you can see, it’s not like I’ve cured cancer in my free time, but I am very passionate about my after-school activities, especially band and Latin.
Awards:
- Several regional- and state-level awards in Latin (Florida Junior Classical League)
- Brain Bowl team was 2nd place overall this year
- Various school awards (9th grade English award, 10th grade Social Studies award, et al.)
- Various church awards (was involved in a church program called Lads to Leaders, but no so much anymore)
- Solo and Ensemble Festival for band (superiors since 9th grade)
- Band has won Otto Kraushaar Award for the three years I've been in band so far (not really that important for me specifically, but I thought I'd mention it)
- There might be some other minor ones that I can't think of right now
Yeah, I’m proud of my grades and class rank, but SAT- and extracurricular-wise, it’s not too hot. Right now, it’s certainly not Ivy level—I’m not going to kid myself. I do think that I can get my SAT into the 1500s, for whatever it’s worth.
Is there anything I can do between now and the winter to improve my chances at Princeton? I’m in the progress of writing a novel, and hope to be in the process of publication by the time applications come around. I know this is late.
Where else would be a good fit? Should I just apply to my state school (UF) and call it quits? Please let me know.
Thank you so much! Please feel free to ask any questions.