College Confidential is constantly filled with admission statistics for several ivy league schools; however, I am more concerned with the statistics of the applicant pool. If Princeton receives 26,641 applications and only accepts 1,939, does it mean all 26,641 were qualified? For example, Princeton’s admission statistics state that the average admit will have an SAT score of 2100+. Does this mean all who applied also held the same scores? Or are many applicants under-qualified? I would like to know the applicant statistics vs. admission statistics for the Ivy Leagues.
To my knowledge Princeton has not published any statistics about the applicant pool they review each year.
I’d bet $2 that 75% of those apps never pass the first computer inspection. Low scores and such. That would leave a semi-manageable pile of apps for human review.
@rednecktiger well… looking at people who get in with low SATs and GPA, they probably do review all the apps.
2$ isn’t much assurance but thanks for the response 
Think about the sheer logistics of the situation. I’ve seen Clio Hall. There just aren’t dozens of staffers milling about waiting their chance to pore over apps. There has to be some sort of computer culling before the staff gets involved.
@rednecktiger - I’ll take that bet. This isn’t Harvard, where thousands of dreamers throw “what the heck” applications. I’d guess that less than 20% are wholly unrealistic.
Here are some of the applicant statistics that Princeton publishes. Doesn’t provide the raw numbers but gives you a sense of the distribution of applications and their admissions success.
http://admission.princeton.edu/applyingforadmission/admission-statistics
^ That’s the information for the accepted students. Do you have any information about the entire application pool?
@Participant101 That data isn’t made available. Only the number of applicants. But they could have filled the class 5 or 6 times with qualified applicants.
http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S39/59/41E61/index.xml?section=topstories
“It is important to note that the pool continues to impress us not only in size, but in exceptionality,” Rapelye said. “The task of choosing among such a talented group is equal parts humbling and rewarding. As I have said in the past, we could have filled our class five or six times over with qualified candidates, which is a testament to all of the students whose applications we reviewed and to the educators here and abroad who brought them to our doorstep.”
This notion of ‘computer inspection’ is entirely invented. It is not supported by interviews with Admissions, rather every file is read by two readers at minimum, and every file goes to committee. This is similar to statements by other selective colleges.
http://india.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/27/answers-from-princeton/?_r=0
"When a student’s file contains all the required materials, an admission officer begins a thorough first reading of the student’s application. The staff member reads the file cover to cover, including teacher and guidance counselor recommendations, the student’s essays, transcript, standardized test scores and any other supporting materials. The grades and the rigor of the student’s course of study, as well as the extracurricular activities and summer experiences, are taken into consideration. In some cases, faculty members are engaged to review supplementary materials that the students submit.
After the admission officer summarizes the candidate’s academic performance, achievements, talents and personal qualities, the file is read completely again by a senior admission officer who is knowledgeable about the high school and the region.
The application is then sent to a committee that includes admission officers, the director of the admission office and me.
Every candidate goes through the committee process, and the files with the most promise are discussed in the committee."
do we know when they release more stats?