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I understand that college admissions, especially at the Ivy League schools, are unpredictable but I would like your opinion as to my chances at Princeton. Where are my weaknesses?

GPA: 99.5 (unweighted)
Rank: 1/1208 (Based on Weighted Average)
SAT: 760 M 780 V
SAT II: Chemistry (800) Math IIC (790) Writing (800) US History (800)
AP: Physics (5), Pysch (5), US History (5), English (5)
In-school EC's:
Editor-School Newspaper
Senator-Student Government
Vice-President: Class Government
President: National Honor Society
Play Clarinet and Tenor Sax (also take private lessons)
Foreign Lang. Honor Society
Tri M Music Honor Society

Out of School EC:
Hospital Volunteer (4 years and won award)
Tutor 3 kids/week (6 years and won award)
Intel Science Research (worked with university prof.)
Columbia Science Honors Program
Started my own business (in 10th grade)
Awards: 1) Siemans-Westinghouse Semifinalist
2) Various other Awards
Work Exp.:
Work in a Pharmacy (4 years)
I am Indian(not Native American)

By Ivyleague14 (Ivyleague14) on Wednesday, May 26, 2004 - 09:33 pm: Edit

Sounds very good.

I recommend showing a lot of passion in one of your EC's. Other than that, you sound quite qualified.

I also would suggest apllying Early Decision- That's what I plan to do when I'm old enough to apply (to Princeton). It helps your chances greatly.

Good Luck!

By Susu (Susu) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 09:31 am: Edit

Definitely apply ED if Princeton is where you love. They love to scoop up those high SAT scores in the first round. Play up your volunteer work or science work or maybe even your school government work if that's got a good story--they won't care about your editor/newspaper stuff. Make sure not to come across as just another science nerd doing hospital work to get into med school.

By Foreigngrad (Foreigngrad) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 09:50 am: Edit

If you weren't a safe ED candidate, I wouldn't know who else.

Take your time on the essays though. make them perfect like the rest of your stats.

Use the interviewing process to your advantage and all should go well.

Good luck

By Curiousstudent (Curiousstudent) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 02:17 pm: Edit

i actually dont want to do science...i want to go to law school.

Thanks for the advice
Susu, why wouldn't they care about the newspaper stuff?

By Ct04 (Ct04) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 02:20 pm: Edit

newspaper is something everyone has. it's quite boring, unless you're amazing at it. Anyways, I have a friend class of 07 who had a profile a lot like yours. Are you GOOD at t sax? cause he was amazing, not very strong in math/sci, but he sent in a tape with his ED app and got in.

By Jess13 (Jess13) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 04:14 pm: Edit

if your school's newspaper is good and has been recongnized, it'll be a positive. what section are you editor of?

By Curiousstudent (Curiousstudent) on Thursday, May 27, 2004 - 04:34 pm: Edit

yeah, I realize your points about the newspaper.

any other comments...Thanks to all those who have responded.

By Akx (Akx) on Friday, May 28, 2004 - 10:22 pm: Edit

you probably dont have to apply early to get into princeton... ur stats and achievements seem pretty strong. but the best way to know is to compare yourself to people who have graduated from your school and attended princeton and other top schools. If 10 people from your school get into hyp each year, you're in for sure. If the last time someone did was in 1982, then you obviously have to go above and beyond to distinguish yourself. Make sure you show really show passion in your activities.

About applying early... if princeton is defintely your first choice or you think your chances arent good enough, then apply early. But if you're pretty confident about your chances and aren't completely sure princeton is the place for you, then regular decision may be the way to go.

Good luck next year with the whole process.

By Curiousstudent (Curiousstudent) on Sunday, May 30, 2004 - 04:31 pm: Edit

i go to a "normal" school. We are big though and usually send about 2-3 people to HYP each year. Does this matter much?

By Akx (Akx) on Monday, May 31, 2004 - 12:19 am: Edit

yea, the strength of your school is gonna be a good measure of your competitiveness with the rest of the world. its hard to compare between schools since some schools are really easy and some are pretty hard. If you are among the top 3 applicants from your school and have comparable or better stats than the graduates who are matriculating at hyp, then your chances are pretty strong. even then you may not get into princeton, but out of hypms, you really should get into at least one.

this doesnt mean that you have to go to a good school to get into a top college. but if you dont go to a good school, you'll really need to stand out. and if you do go to a good school, you'll have to stay on top of all the competition.

By Touky (Touky) on Tuesday, June 01, 2004 - 11:00 pm: Edit

You have 1208 students per grade!?!?

By Sarasote (Sarasote) on Wednesday, June 02, 2004 - 03:17 am: Edit

lol thats how a lot of our schools are in arizona

By Curiousstudent (Curiousstudent) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 08:35 pm: Edit

any other opinions?

By Treyy685 (Treyy685) on Tuesday, June 08, 2004 - 09:23 pm: Edit

not to be mean..but...ivyleague14...who are you to assess someone's stats? you're just a 15 yr old who hasnt even applied to college yet.

By Spacecadet (Spacecadet) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:12 pm: Edit

i concur.

By Meth5400 (Meth5400) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 12:36 pm: Edit

Trevy-you cannot criticize ivyleague14 and ivyleague only....he knows no more and no less than the rest of us. the problem is not with him...but rather with students who ask for advice from other students-i'm 17 already accepted into princeton-but i couldn't tell anyone what the admissions office is looking for-i haven't the foggiest idea. when ppl ask questions like "chances" and etc, to persons UNQUALIFIED to answer them....you are bound to get some UNRELIABLE answers. lay off ivyleague-he/she is just trying to help.

By Mustangqb11 (Mustangqb11) on Thursday, June 10, 2004 - 05:00 pm: Edit

Meth5400, what were your stats to get into Princeton, and did you apply ED?

By Doerame (Doerame) on Sunday, June 13, 2004 - 09:52 pm: Edit

do you want to elaborate on this business of yours curiousstudent? I'm looking into a few business ventures myself and I was wondering how you got started...

By Sami948 (Sami948) on Tuesday, June 15, 2004 - 04:57 pm: Edit

I just completed my junior year, and I'm wondering what my changes are for admission to Princeton.

Verbal 700
Math 700
SAT II
Writing 710
Math II 710
History 660
ACT 34
Class rank 82/763 weighted
4.30 weighted 4.0 scale
Taken the most difficult classes available
7 AP

Lacrosse player, work history, some public service. Any comments are welcome