Chances for Princeton ED

CC_Admin
Thu, 04 Nov 2004 17:55:01 +0000

Thanks so much for your reply! I really like candid answers and while your reply was a bit hard to swallow, I understand where you are coming from. About my community service: I have honestly never been a major community worker. I do household chores and help relatives, but the rest of my time has been spent in doing schoolwork and extracurriculars and just plain hanging out. The service organization having to do with the nursing homes was something that I started on the side, and have been doing on weekends.

While my parents, from elementary school to junior high, have been pushing me to do well, in high school, all of that changed. They just left me to cope on my own, which is good in a way. I think part of the idea of Indianness is that service comes in the family, so I have done many family-oriented chores and stuff…my parents, however, didn’t raise me as a child to get into college. They just wanted me to be self-confident, solid, smart, and an all around nice guy. Unfortunately, I don’t think community service ever came to their minds (neither in a “my kids gotta get into Harvard way” nor “we got to help the community” type of way).

Anyways, my stats, while solid, do NOT guarantee me a place. It is hard explaining this to others who don’t know that much about the process. While I understand the interview will be important in kicking me out, but not getting me in, what other factors play a key role? What are standards for essays?

Thanks. I find you folks really experienced and knowledgeable (sp?).