Yale EA Deferral - Chance Princeton

<p>This is what my stats were for my Yale app (same thing for my Princeton app as well)</p>

<p>Objective:
SAT I (breakdown): 690 CR, 800 M, 780 W (9 essay) --> 1490 /// 2270
ACT: 35 C -- 36 E, 36 M, 34 R, 34 S (8 Essay)
SAT II: 800 Chem, 800 Math II, 740 Physics
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): 4.0
Rank (percentile if rank is unavailable): top 5%
AP (place score in parenthesis): Human Geography (3); World History (4), Chem (5), Physics B (5), Calculus AB (5)
IB (place score in parenthesis): N/A
Senior Year Course Load: Band, AP Cal BC, AP Lit, AP Bio, AP Gov't, AP Language, Honors Senior Thesis
Major Awards (USAMO, Intel etc.): All-State Band (1st band 3rd chair); Superior Rating, Solo and Ensemble; State History Day, State Chemistry Olympiad Finalist - 3rd place, and some others, but i can't think of them (I'll have to check on my Common App later on)</p>

<p>Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis): Jazz band (lead trombonist), Marching Band (section leader), Concert Band (section leader), Quiz Bowl (assistant captain), President - Band Council, Vice Pres. - Science and Engineering Club
Job/Work Experience: N/A
Volunteer/Community service: 141 Hours of volunteering
Summer Activities: Band Camps (1st band 1st chair at all of them), Honor Band trip to Hawaii, volunteering, swim team
Essays: common app - a band experience (all-state audition) and how my passion in music has led me to take honors senior thesis (we write a 60 page paper in this class); supplemental - essay about my dad and his impact on me
Teacher Recommendation: Both excellent
Counselor Rec: excellent
Additional Rec: N/A
Interview: I may have one; I don't know yet</p>

<p>Other:
Applied for Financial Aid?: Yes
Intended Major: Chem
State (if domestic applicant): Arkansas (Little Rock)
School Type: Private
Ethnicity: White
Gender: Male
Income Bracket: 75K - 100K
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): none, really, i guess </p>

<p>Reflection
Strengths: GPA, ACT scores (Maybe SAT I Scores - M and W are at 75%+ mark of middle 50%; CR is at 25% mark, though - overall, SAT is right in the middle of the middle 50%), SAT IIs, band stuff
Weaknesses: maybe i could have had a couple more ECs and leadership stuff </p>

<p>This is what I posted in the decision thread. I got deferred at Yale, and would appreciate any input for Princeton. What do you guys recommend that I can do to maybe have a better chance? I was thinking about sending in a CD of me playing my trombone (etudes, solo work), but I never did it for Yale. I think doing that would have helped there. Do you think that if I do it for Princeton that it would help at all? It may be able to really show my passion for music.</p>

<p>Also, would retaking the SAT help any? I know I can break 2300 if I take it again (CR would go up), but I don't know if it's worth it. I don't think my standardized test scores kept me from getting accepted (considering people with higher scores than me got rejected, and my ACT score is better anyway). </p>

<p>Any input you guys have would be greatly appreciated.</p>

<p>Thanks.</p>

<p>If you can get the CD done in time and it is HIGH quality, do it. You don’t just want to show passion, you need to show a high level of skill. Also- check the deadline for receipt of a CD- I recall last year it was earlier than the regular app deadline. </p>

<p>Whether to retake the SAT- really depends on what it will gain you overall in all your college applications, not just the one to Princeton. It might help your chances at Princeton, but it won’t guarantee anything. Will a 2300+ get you something at other schools that may be helpful?</p>

<p>^ No, a 2300+ wouldn’t do much, really, since my ACT is higher anyway (a 35 is a 2340 SAT equivalent)</p>

<p>I have the Optional Arts Supplement, and it says on it as long as it’s postmarked by January 1, then it’s good.</p>

<p>Then go for it. Princeton loves musicians.</p>