I am currently in 10th grade, I would like to know if some of you have any advices to give me; My dream has always been studying in Princeton, besides a great GPA and SAT, any tips you would like to share?
Thanks
Become really, really good at an NCAA sport.
@sherpa is right. Either that, or become rich and donate 10 million dollars to the school.
There’s nothing you can really do to get into Princeton besides just doing what you like, enjoying life and not worrying about having to go to Princeton.
- Find 1 or 2 extra-curriculars you are very passionate about, i.e. would relish the opportunity to spend 2 or 3 hours every single day doing them and not complain. Ideally they would be a little more unusual than the standard ones offered at school, e.g. trapeze, soap-making, translating. Then devote a lot of time to them and obtain a leadership position. If you can't, then create one for yourself - so if you have not been made President of the Chess Club, then start a chess newsletter for which you are editor-in-chief.
- Try and get testing requirements out of the way as soon as possible. Try looking at the SAT/ACT and the Subject Tests, and if you're doing well now, take it when you're comparatively less busy (junior year is very hectic...).
- Build strong relationships with your teachers - be a leader in class discussions, do extra-reading and discuss this with them. Make yourself an exceptional memorable 'once-in-a-career' student.
- Try and make a real difference in your community. Don't just log hours at the local library, but if there is anything you don't like about it, change it, and work on fighting for your cause. For example, if you don't like the way women are portrayed in advertisements (issues with body image, objectification etc.), write a letter to the advertisement regulation committee, start a petition etc. Find a cause you're passionate about and make your community service meaningful.
- Take as many challenging classes as possible.
Good luck!