Yes, another one of 'My chances'? Still...I'm curious

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
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<p>At times reading the entries on these forums scares me, but even though I've already sent in my EA, I need some feedback</p>

<p>I'm white, female, and live in California. My school has bad rates of admittance at 4-year schools</p>

<p>GPA: Unweighted 4.0, probably like a 4.5 unweighted, not really sure...just always a straight A'er</p>

<p>SATs: First time W:700 V: 690 M: 730
Second time W: 800 V: 770 M: 760 = 2330
ACT: 33
SATII: 750 Math II, 800 US History, 740 Biology E, 720 World His, 690 Physics</p>

<p>APs: World 5
Physics 4
US 5
Calculus AB 5
Biology 5
Govt (planned)
MicroEcon (planned)
English (planned)
Stats (perhaps....ooh, the intrigue, jk, this is how I am)</p>

<p>EC: Journalism all four years, one year Editor of two sections, this year Editor-in-chief, much time and effort put in
Yearbook (12th)
Tennis- JV (10), Varsity 11&12. Toughest league in area, this year (senior year) made it to playoffs, and got first in league...
NHS- 11&12 Vice-President
Founder and President of Progressive Youth League in rabidly conservative area
CSF all four years
Quill&Scroll Society- 11&12 Vice President
Horseback riding: lease a horse over summers, ride for fun, been doing this since I was 5</p>

<p>Community Service: Nearly 500 from coaching tennis, hospital and library volunteering, volunteering with the city, Link Leadership, etc.</p>

<p>Awards: Nat Merit Semi-finalist, Numerous Community Service awards, Journalism and National Honor Roll, Poetry Awards, AP Scholar w/Distinction</p>

<p>This is LONG. Sorry...but if you help me out, I'd be grateful</p>

<p>I'm applied EA to Princeton already, so yeah, chances?</p>

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<p>Errr, first of all, know that Princeton is only ED.</p>

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<p>That's what I meant</p>

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<p>Also, there was another type, I have a 4.0, and about 4.5 WEIGHTED</p>

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<p>I did over 400 hours library volunteering, but I didn't list it on my app. I forgot, maybe. Oh, well...</p>

<p>We seem a lot alike. I'm hoping not everyone is this neck-and-neck, because if I were an adcom member, I wouldn't be able to tell us apart!</p>

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<p>I think you have an average/good chance. All I can say is good luck!</p>

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<p>They do look creepily similar, don't they? Worries me...</p>

<p>I vote to create a mix and match program. You hook up with a buddy to put together the best parts of each application. A GPA here, an SAT Math there, a club presidency here, building orphanages there...and voila: The ultimate candidate!</p>

<p>That'd be pretty awesome. But there'd also be a lot apps with 2400s + 4.9 GPA (on 4.0 scale) + 24 AP classes + Founder and president of every club. Ever. + Cured Cancer and AIDS + Internation Olympiad in Smartness + RSI for last 15 years + Met God (and got a rec from Him) + 8 Generations of Legacy + 90% URM.</p>

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<p>frozen tears, 400 hours is pretty major, id recommend sending it in seperatly or something. the extra effort of sending it in may make the diff between a acceptance letter and a rejection.</p>

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<p>CautiousPessimism you must be referring to iwannagoivy.......he seems to meet all of those requirements (and then some)</p>

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<p>mgirl1307, at your high level, no one can give you a firm answer. You should get in; so should many others who do not. Work on communicating the intangibles to Pton. Recs, essays, etc.</p>

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<p>lol, JTC007.</p>

<p>By the way, (and excuse me for stealing the thread temporarily), do you really think I should send in a make-up letter?</p>

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<p>frozen-tears I think I would. If it was something small I wouldn't, but 400 hours is a lot. I would get the letter signed by your supervisor or something. You could also call the admissions office for advice, but IDK how legit of an answer they will give you. I'd also talk to a GC/get other, more experienced CC opinions before doing it.</p>

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<p>400 hours is alot, but it isnt meaningful since its just library work. I spent 2000 hours over more meaningful services.</p>

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<p>IDK... the idea of placing any community service on an application (your portion, anyway) may seem a bit "horrible" to adcoms. It isn't horrible that you did it, but it may seem like you did it just to put a line on your college application.</p>

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<p>Hmmmm....that's true. I guess with volunteer work it is a little different, but it is a shame that frozentears left it out. So I guess the verdict is that you shouldn't send a letter. If you get deferred (hopefully not :)) I would include that in any extra materials you send them.</p>

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<p>I think the community service helps, but what would have set you apart is if you bumped your SAT's a bit and taken a harder course load. By that I mean more difficult AP classes if your school offers them. There is a big difference between a candidate who takes easy AP's like Econ, Gov, Psych, Stats, ect. versus one who takes Physics C and Calc BC. I am taking Physics C right now and it is 10x harder than any other AP I have taken. Colleges know this. Yet, in my opinion colleges like P-ton look at the SAT numbers to see if you have the aptitude and base their decisions on essays and teacher recs. If your essays are truly outstanding, then I think you have a good shot.</p>

<p>P.S. Princeton doesn't care about vague awards, like community service and voulenteer awards. The only ones which matter are AP and National Merit.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Princeton doesn't care about vague awards, like community service and voulenteer awards. The only ones which matter are AP and National Merit.

[/quote]
</p>

<p>That cannot possibly be farther from the truth. Everybody and their uncle has AP and Nat'l Merit awards. AP w/ Distinction's a bit little harder to come by, but there are quite a few of those, too.</p>

<p>The only ones that matter are any awards that aren't like... "Perfect Attendence."</p>

<p>The only ones that are hooks are nat'l or state/regional level awards that aren't Nat'l Merit or AP (unless you're already a National Scholar).</p>

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<p>I belive the keyword was "vague," I never said anything about state or local awards.</p>

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<p>Great SATs and GPA...ECs are average, but your school sounds bad, so that might be a plus. Good shot.</p>