Am I "Princeton Material"?

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

<p>I was just wondering whether I have any hope of getting into Princeton, and if it is worth applying, assuming it is my first choice college. I suffered from extremely poor grades in my freshman year, but since then I have raised my grades dramatically. I am a male Caucasian, and I go to a public school ranked in the top 1% of the United States. </p>

<p>Freshman Year GPA: 2.8 Class Rank: 172/212</p>

<p>Sophomore Year Classes: US History I (CP1) A+, English 10 (CP1) A, Algebra II (Honors) A-, Algebra III (Honors) A, Physics (Honors) A+, Chemistry I (Honors) A+, Latin II (Honors) A+
Sophomore Year GPA: 3.9 Class Rank: 70/212 (6th without Freshman Year)</p>

<p>Junior Year Classes: Environmental Science (AP) A+, Statistics (AP) A+, Latin III (Honors) A+, American Literature (CP1) A, Pre-Calculus (Honors) A, Physics B (AP) A+, Physics C (AP) A+, US History II (CP1) A+
Junior Year GPA: 4.1 Class Rank: 21/212 (1st without Freshman and Sophomore Year)</p>

<p>Senior Year Classes: Calculus BC (AP), Chemistry II (Honors), Chemistry (AP), Latin IV (Honors), Latin V (AP), Senior English (CP1), Independent Study on Particle Physics
Senior Year GPS: Estimated to be 3.9-4.0</p>

<p>SAT Scores:
Critical Reading: 670
Math: 800
Writing: 710</p>

<p>SAT II Scores:
Physics: 800
Math: 800</p>

<p>Extra-Curriculars:
Boy Scouts (working towards Eagle)
Varsity Ski Team (From Freshman Year) Best on team, made states Junior and Senior Year
Varsity Track (From Freshman Year) Best pole vaulter and high jumper, made states for both Junior and Senior year
Pole Vaulting club (From fall of Sophomore Year)
Self-Taught Piano (From sixth grade) I consider myself very talented.
Academic Team (From Junior Year)
Math Team (From Freshman Year)
2nd place at statewide math competition Sophomore Year, 1st place Junior Year
Environmental Science Club (From Junior Year)
Latin Club (From Junior Year)</p>

<p>Area of Interest: Physics</p>

<p>I am by far the most passionate person about physics that I have ever met. I want to be a physics major because I believe the fundamentals of our universe will provide answers to questions like why humans exist if there is any reason at all. I want to go to Princeton because I feel like they have the most resources out of any college to offer towards physics majors. </p>

<p>I know I did terribly Freshman Year, but I have never met or even heard of anybody who has made an improvement like I have, and I don’t know how it will affect the admissions officers decision.</p>

<p>Thanks so much!!!</p>

2

<p>First of all, you need not be worried about your freshman year grades. Many colleges, including Princeton, do not give much weight to freshman year. Your vast improvement since shows commitment and definitely overshadows your low GPA from the beginning of high school. If you are interested in Princeton, then definitely apply. The GPA is only one part of the picture, though, so keep in mind that the process is holistic.</p>

3

<p>Are you a leader in those activities?
Also that piano blurb doesn’t mean anything unless you submit an arts supplement / win competitions.
There’s no demonstrated interest in Physics from your post above it sounds like you’re just saying ‘whoa dude physics is cool’.
That SAT score is ‘not bad’ but it’s not doing you any favors. I would try to get 700+ in Critical Reading.</p>

<p>You should apply because you’re a strong candidate but it’s tough getting into elite schools.</p>

4

<p>Worth applying. Also consider giving Yale a try. They are trying to build up their STEM admits. Your testing profile and interests might be quite helpful there.</p>

5

<p><a href=“http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2011/09/13/up-close-playing-catch-up-building-a-science-culture/[/url]”>http://yaledailynews.com/blog/2011/09/13/up-close-playing-catch-up-building-a-science-culture/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

6

<p>Did you take the USAPhO or participate in physics research? I’m not getting the whole passion for physics while reading your stats.</p>

7

<p>I’ve been captain of the ski team since junior year, and track team captain senior year. Also, I’ve recently been trying to coordinate my classes’ participation in the USAPhO with my physics teacher, but I’m unsure whether or not it’ll happen. Also, with the help of my brother, I’ve designed a functional jet engine (functional but not very efficient) if that counts for anything. I also forgot to add that I’ve been a lifeguard every summer. Thanks for the advice!</p>