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Yeah, I am gellin'. Anyway, tell me what you think...

Personal:
White Male from South Carolina
Neither of Parents went to college
Brother is Current Grad Student at Princeton

Testing:

GPA: 4.8 weighted
Class Rank: 4/~350
SAT I: 1520 (780M 740 V)
SAT II: 780 Mol Bio
770 Math IIC
730 Writing (retake in January)
AP's: 5 Biology; 5 Calculus BC; Taking Physics and English Lit this year
PSAT: National Merit Semifinalist - Prob Finalist

Awards/Honors:

National Merit Semifinalist - Finalist?
South Carolina Governor's Scholar
Mu Alpha Theta
NHS
Junior Leadership Anderson Scholarship Award
2nd Place School Talent Show (on piano)
Commencement Marshall (top 14 class rank)


Work:

Full-Time Pianist - Shiloh Baptist Church
10/01 to present
Part-Time Sheet Music/Piano Salesman - Farr Music House 8/01 to 8/02


Extras:

The CHILL Christian Campus Ministry - Co-Founder/Weekly Speaker (like the minister in a church) (12th) 20+ Hours Per Week

Shalom House Ministries, Inc. - Co-Founder, Board Member - 1/2-way house for women drug addicts to transition from abuse back into society. Parents run ministry. 1999-present

JV Baseball - 9th
Junior Leadership Anderson - 11th (selective leadership training program during school hours)
First Priority Christian Club - Co-Pres 10th, 11th
The Calhoun Nursing Home - initiated community service, included 10 other students, singing, playing guitar/piano to residents
Mu Alpha Theta - V.P.
SAT Competition Team - won Region (team)
Academic Team (Quiz Bowl type team)
Stud Gov (9-12) and FCA (9-11)

Major: Religious Studies

Finally, does my brother's presence at Princeton as a grad student increase my chances at Princeton at all? And would it be wise to have him write the "Optional Recommendation" in the Princeton application?

What about Cornell?

By Aeg315 (Aeg315) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 06:33 pm: Edit

You will most likely be accepted to Cornell considering you have very high test scores. Princeton may be a little more tricky. Are you apply early to Princeton?

By Sethriddley (Sethriddley) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 06:38 pm: Edit

Nope, I'm going RD. I don't love it enough to commit if accepted. Wow, quick response Aeg315, I just finished writing it. Thanks!

By Aeg315 (Aeg315) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 06:55 pm: Edit

You'll almost definitely get into Cornell. Princeton is always a crapshoot, but you still have a very good chance.

By Sethriddley (Sethriddley) on Saturday, October 25, 2003 - 10:20 pm: Edit

Thanks so much...do you guys think that since my brother is at Princeton, my chances will be improved there? Also - would it be wise to get him to write the "Optional Recommendation"?

By Sethriddley (Sethriddley) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:22 am: Edit

bump

By Andrey1225 (Andrey1225) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:32 am: Edit

You have about a 60-70% chance at Princeton. Your scores are high enough, you've shown a lot of dedication through ECs to your intended major, and your brother goes there.

However, just because you're the above average applicant (it's true most kids have 1400s and minimal ECs--theyre just not on this post) does not guarantee you admission. Ivy League schools really pick apart applicants, so you need an exceptional essay and great letters of rec to go along with your already qualified statistics.

Just two criticisms--take off the 2nd place in the talent show and I don't think January counts for RD, I'm pretty sure December's the last test date, but then again I'm not applying to Princeton.

Sorry for the plug but could you please evaluate myself at "Hopefully my last chances post..." Thanks and best of luck

By Andrey1225 (Andrey1225) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:34 am: Edit

oh, and it doesn't look nice if you have relatives writing recs for you--since they've known you all your life and you have an unconditional relationship with them. I would get a religious leader looking at your ECs and major.

By Sethriddley (Sethriddley) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 08:36 pm: Edit

Thanks Andrey (I can tell you actually read the post carefully and didn't just glance at the SAT I and go from there :-) - I am sure however that January counts for Regular Decision.

Very true about religious leader vs. my brother.

Any other unique advice would be accepted gratefully!

By Clickspring (Clickspring) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 08:43 pm: Edit

You shouldn't get a closely related family member to write your rec...a leader at your church would be a better choice

By Dlarrea (Dlarrea) on Sunday, October 26, 2003 - 10:52 pm: Edit

Hey I think you replyed to my post about EDing to Princeton. I'm in the same boat as you as my sister goes to Princeton as well. I've heard that having siblings there helps a little bit, like if it came down to you and one other kid and he wasn't a legacy they'd choose you, or at least I think that's to what extent the sibling thing can help us.

Anyway it seems your resume is definately good enough to compete with those applying to Princeton, plus you seem like a cool kid so I'd say you got a good chance at getting in.

Oh ya and I got my sister to write the optional essay. When I visited Princeton they said just make sure it's someone who knows you well. So as long as your religious leader knows you well then I'd say go for him because I really think the main reason they give you the option for that essay is just to find out more about what kind of person you are and not who you can get to write it for you.

Good Luck! Hopefully we both get in, but more than likely it'll be just you.

By Sethriddley (Sethriddley) on Monday, October 27, 2003 - 09:26 pm: Edit

Hey Dlarrea - What is your sister doing at Princeton (what department etc)? I guess you've visited the campus etc. - it's amazingly beautiful. I remember the first time I went there (to move my brother in, he's in grad school in architecture), I was awestruck at being in the same places as were on the movie, A Beautiful Mind. Cool stuff, anyway, I'm rambling.


I have one more question (and thanks to ya'll who have evaluated me): Has anyone ever heard anything about the Religion major at Princeton? Or about the Princeton Seminary?