Chance Me

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

I applied to Princeton REA and just had my interview (went well, I think). I plan on BSE in comp sci. I feel as if my princeton essays were strong but my common app essay is par. Let me know if I am missing anything here.

Academics:
GPA: 3.974 UW, 4.136 W (94.132 and 98.621 on 100 point scale)
Class Rank: 1st Decile is as specific as my school gets, but I am definitely towards the upper end of that, class of 419
ACT: 35 comp, 36 sci, 35 math, 35 reading, 32 english, 23 writing
SAT Math 2: 780
SAT Physics: 770
4 APs this year (Gov, Comp Sci Principles, Physics 2/C), 5 previous, got a 5 on US History, Physics 1, Comp Sci A, got a 4 on Calc BC/AB sub, World History,

Honors:
National Honor Society
National Merit Semifinalist

Extra curriculars:
Cross Country - captain
Track and Field (winter and spring)
School Orchestra
Technology Student Association - club officer
First Tech Challenge
Volunteer at children’s museum

Thanks.

2

@Zain17 Your ACT writing score is ~80th percentile, even for a COS BSE this is too low. Can you raise it? Your ECs are good, but don’t set you apart from the thousands of other amazing student / athlete / musicians, what is your unique, compelling, narrative?

3

@Zain17 - I disagree with above poster. ACT essay does not matter. You’ve got a 35C. IMHO - if you get rejected from Princeton, it will not be because of your ACT. It might be because of your W-GPA or ECs, but not ACT.

4

@medscibud I agree the ACT will not be the deciding factor, but it is a blemish that other apps will not have. When Princeton can choose among thousands of really talented students, you want as few reasons for them to say “no” as possible.

5

If the writing score is a “blemish,” surely it could be countered by well-written essays, right? Is there even time at this point to retake the ACT? I agree that if anything is an issue here, it’s something other than the ACT writing score.

6

What psywar is saying has merit though — you want to have as few “imperfections” (that you can control at least) on your application. Just because the ACT writing score won’t be the deciding factor between rejection and acceptance, it will raise some doubts about the ability of the applicant as a writer in general.

7

@malvernvarna doh! I forget the OP already applied SCEA. I thought they were asking for RD. They don’t have time to raise the score obviously. My mistake.

8

Any information on following?

[ b]Other**
[ *] Applied for Financial Aid?:
[ *] Intended Major:
[ *] State (if domestic applicant):
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type:
[ *] Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported):
[ *] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported):
[ *] Gender:
[ *] Income Bracket:
[ *] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.):

9

[ b]Other**
[ *] Applied for Financial Aid?: yes
[ *] Intended Major: computer science
[ *] State (if domestic applicant): pennsylvania
[ *] Country (if international applicant):
[ *] School Type: public
[ *] Ethnicity (Hispanic Y/N/not reported): N
[ *] Race(s) (AI/AN, Asian, AA, NH/PI, White, not reported): asian
[ *] Gender: m
[ *] Income Bracket: $100k - $150k
[ *] Hooks/tips (URM, athlete, legacy, 1st gen, etc.): none of those

10

I think you have pretty good GPA, ACT and AP scores. however, you may get deferred due to lack of some regional or state level awards.

11

What is your ethnicity?

12

Asian, so I doubt I’ll get any underrepresented minority advantage.