The "Favorties" Section on the Princeton APP





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Discus: Ivy League Schools: Princeton University: 2004 Archive: The "Favorties" Section on the Princeton APP
By Cjs678 (Cjs678) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 05:45 pm: Edit

How much do you think the Admissions Office cares about specifically what you write for the favorites stuff? Do you think it can make any difference in the process?

By Mzhang23 (Mzhang23) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 05:59 pm: Edit

In the past, Dean Hargadon used the section to build an exciting and diverse class.

An answer to your question: yes. be honest.

By Macbeth04 (Macbeth04) on Friday, December 19, 2003 - 10:25 pm: Edit

it's left over from dean fred's application. He was just a funny guy. I think he wanted to releive tension. He was always trying to make the admissions process more fun. I wish he hadn't retired. I'm not saying that the new lady is bad, but I really liked him.

By Piquant77 (Piquant77) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 03:10 am: Edit

I agree, Macbeth04! That guy had class. Plus, we share the same favorite book (The Phantom Tollbooth).

On the same subject of favorites, can you write more than one? I don't mean inundating them with your list of favorite movies, but would it be inappropriate to include two (books, recordings, etc.) if you can't decide between them?

You ED-ers, answer please, seeing as you've already done the app ;)

By Voigtrob (Voigtrob) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 03:29 am: Edit

Haha, I put Phantom Tollbooth for favorite book. ;P
I put down two favorite movies, Monty Python and the Holy Grail and Office Space.
Favorite recording was 'Now's the Time' by Charlie Parker.
That's pretty much all I remember.
Deferred, btw... haha... you might not wanna use my answers. ;P

By Elrohir (Elrohir) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 05:22 am: Edit

I want to put two favourites down in some places too... advice from EDers would be helpful!!

By Mekker3 (Mekker3) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 11:38 am: Edit

I didn't put down 2 answers for book/movie etc., but I did use 4 adjectives to describe myself instead of 3

By Stupidfool (Stupidfool) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 03:47 pm: Edit

Are they looking for one word answers or an explanation? They don't give much room for explanation, but nor do they give room for anything anywhere on the app.

By Polymorphic (Polymorphic) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 04:48 pm: Edit

I didn't put an explanation; if they expected one, they would've made it an essay question

By Arsatlas (Arsatlas) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 06:22 pm: Edit

I don't think it's a good idea to give an explanation. They just want a snapshot of the things you enjoy.
Also, although I didn't do this, I think it's ok to put two favorites down.

Just as a side note: don't go listing tomes, operas, and dramatic masterpieces on that page to impress them. In other words, don't be afraid to goof off...for favorite news source I put The Onion, and for favorite movie I put The Matrix. They obviously weren't too offended at my lack of culture, because I was accepted.

By Mzhang23 (Mzhang23) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 07:02 pm: Edit

Just put stuff down.
And as arsatlas said, be honest. There's no need to put down Descartes as your fav author or your linear algebra textbook as your most treasured possession.

By Yrickson (Yrickson) on Wednesday, December 24, 2003 - 08:11 pm: Edit

I actually really like opera/classical vocal music...which can be backed up by my musical interests (I have a classical tenor voice)

By Steffie1212002 (Steffie1212002) on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 03:23 pm: Edit

I put "Weekened Update" from SNL as my favorite source of news, LOrd of the Rings as my favorite movie, Harry Potter as my favorite book -- no one will look more uncultured than me, so don't worry.

By Mzhang23 (Mzhang23) on Saturday, December 27, 2003 - 09:42 pm: Edit

Don't worry, I know people who put down Fox Nightly news as their fav source of news... and they got in. Guess Dean Hargadon must have found it to be pretty funny. I don't know how Dean Lapeyle used the info, but she probably read over it to get a laugh or two.

By Camferg (Camferg) on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 04:25 am: Edit

i listed two of my favorite movies and was accepted ed.

By Alex86 (Alex86) on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 02:46 pm: Edit

just put down what you truly like. i have a thing for the new york times, so i put that down as my favorite news source. but i also wrote about how my biggest accomplishment was havign letters published in the times, just so i they didnt think i was seeking to impress. they just want a class with flavor- but flavor has to come in both directions.

the ? i thought was most interesting was the one about your source of inspiration...i put down bohemian artists (like in la boheme and rent.)

what did everyone else put?

By Goodkid2004 (Goodkid2004) on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 03:57 pm: Edit

Yea, no need to seek to "impress". I put cnn.com and yahoo! news as my newssources, and I was being honest - and I got in, so I'm sure that you shouldn't worry too much about the favorites sections ;)

By Danjones1786 (Danjones1786) on Sunday, December 28, 2003 - 06:10 pm: Edit

for favorite recording i put when i come around by green day. i don't think there could be a less cultured answer and i got in ED so i would be honest

By Squirrel (Squirrel) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 12:03 am: Edit

Haha, I put Fox News Channel.

Fair & balanced, baby.

By Ivybound01 (Ivybound01) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 02:40 am: Edit

What about this for the two adjectives:

simple yet complex?

Does it make me sound confused or stupid? I was trying to be clever...

By Keithyboy (Keithyboy) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 04:46 am: Edit

I put The Daily Show as my source of news. I was thinking about putting Dumb and Dumber as my favourite movie and then putting "See favourite movie" under the two adjectives, but I didn't think they'd find it funny

By Mic (Mic) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 06:16 am: Edit

will it hurt to put two instead of one in three of the categories?? Are they strict with this?

By Madrigal (Madrigal) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 10:45 am: Edit

Yea, I put two for almost all of the Favs. Should I change it?

By Pimpdaddy (Pimpdaddy) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 01:09 pm: Edit

haha i put green day for fav recording and got in too, lol. Guess Rapelye is a green day fan.

By Ivybound01 (Ivybound01) on Monday, December 29, 2003 - 06:31 pm: Edit

simple yet complex?

stupid or clever?

By Nihilist (Nihilist) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 12:32 am: Edit

favorite source of inspiration was rather hard to do in that space

they dont leave enough room for courses or APs or anything

and i put two movies: Pi and A Walk on the Moon
recording: Tired of Waiting for You by the Kinks

By Lxg21918 (Lxg21918) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 01:08 am: Edit

is it a waste to put a song they probably haven't heard of? i'm an indie rock girl and i want to put "distopian dream girl" by built to spill, but since most of my friends don't even know of built to spill, i'd be surprised if the admissions committee did. i would put either "sweet jane" by the velvet underground or "village green preservation society" by the kinks in its place.

nihilist- good choices and i hear you on the courses thing. how do they expect us to fit in seven classes in there?

By Ivybound01 (Ivybound01) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 01:30 am: Edit

dude, someone answer my q?

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 02:01 am: Edit

movie: i was going to put the matrix, but i figured it was too cliche. I guess Ocean's 11 or Catch Me if You Can. but they're both about scamming people and getting away with it. not sure about that message....
favorite recording: probably something from Linkin Park.
favorite book:
The Westing Game by Ellen Raskin
A Walk to Remember by Nicholas Sparks
Favorite source of inspiration:
the shower
not bad right? well, i'm asian so i'm looking at rejection anyway. and i'm not a high caliber asian either (88 average, 1350 SAT)

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 02:02 am: Edit

ivybound - i wouldn't say it because that may take some elaboration, which you obviously don't have room for.

By Steffie1212002 (Steffie1212002) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 02:06 am: Edit

Ivybound -- is that what your friends really said/think? It's doesn't sound too great to me (a tad cliche), I would just put down normal adjectives. I also wouldn't overthink it.

WORD about the space for classes. They musta been smoking when they dreamed up the app. I had to squeeze all my classes in tiny writing.

Lxg -- just put your favorite song. It's not going to hurt you if they haven't heard of it, and there's a tiny chance you might even have an indie rock fan reading your app.

Madrigal -- I wouldn't worry. It might make it look like you can't commit to one fav, but I doubt they'd hold it against you.

Personally, I'd admit the Dumb and Dumber guy. ^-^

By Lxg21918 (Lxg21918) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 03:53 am: Edit

all right then... so it goes:

book: the crying of lot 49 by thomas pynchon, on the road by jack kerouac
recording: "distopian dream girl" by built to spill
movie: the big lebowski
source of news: washington post
keepsake: my contraband coconut monkey from cuba (you're all lucky i didn't bring back a plague of locusts with that... silly US customs)
adjectives: passionate and quirky
inspiration: the silence in my house at 3 AM

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 02:09 pm: Edit

my teacher i'm intelligent, creative, determined, etc. so i'm not sure if i want to repeat any of those words. so i said vivacious and clever. what should i do?

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Tuesday, December 30, 2003 - 03:39 pm: Edit

....

By Ivybound01 (Ivybound01) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 02:25 am: Edit

dude, this is what i'm thinking. I can attach a brief explanation ( i did that on some of the q's). How is it cliche? I would think that after reading a whole bunch of apps with nice, smart, charismatic, funny, etc. they'd all blend into one. Don't you think it's kinda deep or clever?

By Lxg21918 (Lxg21918) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 02:25 pm: Edit

i thought about putting "god-like and humble," but i'm sure they're going to get plenty of clever ones. after the first paradox they get, it's going to lose its effect. i decided it was better to just tell them who i am instead of trying to be witty.

By Hukddonfoniks (Hukddonfoniks) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 02:45 pm: Edit

i want to put

funny, looking

but i think they'll either really like that or hate it

what a dilemna haha

By Rorcs13 (Rorcs13) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 02:55 pm: Edit

haha i just mailed my app and i put green day too.

By Pimpdaddy (Pimpdaddy) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 04:54 pm: Edit

nice, so Rorc13 is def. getting in

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 06:03 pm: Edit

"dude, this is what i'm thinking. I can attach a brief explanation ( i did that on some of the q's). How is it cliche? I would think that after reading a whole bunch of apps with nice, smart, charismatic, funny, etc. they'd all blend into one. Don't you think it's kinda deep or clever?"

no, not very. everyone who applied to PU from my school did that. and were deferred. they were making it complicated for no reason. but, hey, do what you want. if you think it'll help, go for it.

heh, green day.
favorite recording: "when i come around" - green day
Dean Rapelye: whoa, whoa, whoa. he likes green day? pfft..no brainer. accept!
Asst. Adcom: but he had a 900 SAT, his average was barely passing, his SAT II's were 500-590, his recs are awful, and he has no EC's.
Dean Rapelye: i said ACCEPT.

By Otterpop (Otterpop) on Wednesday, December 31, 2003 - 10:30 pm: Edit

Warriorlax22, hahaha.

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 03:30 am: Edit

In other words, don't be afraid to goof off...for favorite movie I put The Matrix. They obviously weren't too offended at my lack of culture."

dude, what are you talking about? the matrix is hardly uncultured. they may have accepted in lieu of that 'cause that is a very cliche answer. but the onion thing may have gotten you some +'s.

By Foreignboy (Foreignboy) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 08:47 am: Edit

Just a thought... Did anyone put 'A Beautiful Mind' for fav. book/movie? Or did everyone think it was too kiss ass..

By Warriorlax22 (Warriorlax22) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 07:15 pm: Edit

less kiss ass, more "please reject me."

By Smarty1600 (Smarty1600) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 09:53 pm: Edit

lol i was considering putting 'Beloved' as my fav book, 'A Beautiful Mind' as my fav. movie, etc. Cheesy.

By Mrpool420 (Mrpool420) on Thursday, January 01, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit

for the best advice recieved, i put:

"kill Mzhang23"
why, because he is a dirty fu@#ing jew and i wish hitler had killed him off already.

yay hitler!!!!!!!!!!!!!! your awsome

By Sheeprun (Sheeprun) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 12:03 am: Edit

Mrpool420 is banned.

Sheeprun
<moderator>

By Daggerlee (Daggerlee) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 12:04 am: Edit

I put my favorite stuff, with explanations. It said give your "thoughtful response" and it gave me all that space, so hey! why not?

By Peacemakeriv (Peacemakeriv) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 02:00 am: Edit

lol, sheeprun, ur the best *dont ban me, just kissing ur a$$*


Instead of doing that, just make sure that YOUR posts remain within the Terms of Service (have you read them lately?) Many of your posts are very near the line.

Sheeprun
<moderator>

By Ivybound01 (Ivybound01) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 03:50 am: Edit

would it be kiss-ass if i put for fave souvenir something i got at pton on my visit? I mean, it IS true...

By Foreignboy (Foreignboy) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 11:14 am: Edit

It would definitely look kiss ass...
What happened to the 'favourite quote' question? gone this year.

By Ivybound01 (Ivybound01) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 11:22 am: Edit

oh come one, isn't that what they want?

what'd you put?

By Daggerlee (Daggerlee) on Friday, January 02, 2004 - 12:27 pm: Edit

Instead of worrying about what they want, put down what really IS your favorite keepsake/memento...if it happens to be a Princeton souvenir, do it. *shrug*


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