Chances for Princeton ED

cookiemom
Thu, 04 Nov 2004 23:32:41 +0000

mahajan – I know that the application just seems like pieces of data, but all of those pieces add up to a surprisingly comprehensive picture of the applicant. You have to remember that these applications are read by adcoms that are trained and experienced in reading applications. That means that they are able to see a lot more in them than you would think is being revealed. For instance your recommendations will be evaluated in terms of not only what they say, but what they don’t say. They will be looking for anything that hints that you may be arrogant or have difficulty with relationships with your peers. From what you told us you are a very bright and hardworking student. The fact that you did not take offense at my first post means you have a sense of humor and you can laugh at yourself, which is a very positive trait. It doesn’t matter what you wrote your essays about, your choice of topics and how you treat them will reveal your personality. The goal of the essay is not to make the adcoms cry but to get them to know you better, which it sounds like you did.

I am also somewhat familiar with the Indian culture. Don’t underestimate family service. That is a wonderful tradition that influences how you will treat others in your college community.

By the way, my S has also applied to Princeton ED and he also omitted 10 questions by mistake the first time he took the writing. He was thrilled when I told him about you doing the same thing –“See, Ma, it wasn’t just me. There must have been something wrong with the wording on the test!”

Dizzymom – Elite schools absolutely look to ad “texture” to their student bodies. That’s the reason why kids with perfect stats aren’t guaranteed admission. Every adcom I’ve heard speak says things like, “We will often by pass the #1 kid in the class and take #6 because he or she looks more interesting.”