Do I look one-dimensional?

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

<p>Ok so the fact of the matter is, is I’m not only good at math and science, but also I’m actually pretty good at Latin, and I enjoy some of the social sciences too. However at my school (small private ~50 kids), the English classes are graded very harshly. Out of 10 or so kids only 1, maybe 2, get As, and the rest get Bs and Cs. I got B+, in most of these english/history classes. Also keep in mind I took the most rigorous English/History courses.</p>

<p>The thing is, the math/science classes are usually very easy, and I’m also naturally good at these subjects so my grades are really high. I have A+ or As in the math/sciences. So there is a juxtaposition of A+/B+ that looks really awkward on my transcript. My question is, will Princeton (and other competitive LAC) view me as the stereotypical math-nerd? If it helps here are all my credentials:</p>

<p>Stats:[ul]
[<em>]SAT Verbal: 700
[</em>]SAT Math: 800
[<em>]SAT Writing: 730
[</em>]SAT Total: 2230
[<em>]SAT II: 800 Math Level 2 - 800 Chemistry - 800 Physics
[</em>]ACT: didn’t take
[<em>]AP/IB taken/scores: 5 Chemistry, 5 Physics B, 5 Statistics, 4 USH, 5 Calc BC (5 subscore), AP Vergil, AP Biology, AP Physics C: E&M and Mechanics, AP English; also taking Honor MVC at Brown
[</em>]GPA weighted: doesn’t weight
[<em>]GPA unweighted:93/100
[</em>]Rank or % estimate: 1/50ish</p>

<p>[/ul]Subjective:[ul]
[<em>]Essays: good I hope lol, I think they are original
[</em>]Teacher Recs: good
[<em>]Counselor Rec: great
[</em>]Hook (if any): none</p>

<p>[/ul]Location/Person:[ul]
[<em>]State or Country: RI
[</em>]School Type: small private
[<em>]Ethnicity: White
[</em>]Gender: Male
[<em>]Legacy Yes/No: no
[</em>]Recruited Yes/No: no
[li]Important ECs: Baseball, Basketball, Math Team, Latin Team (have leadership positions in some of these)</p>[/li]
<p>[/ul]Other Factors: I intend to major in Chemical Engineering, so hopefully the fact that I made USNCO and got good SAT/AP Chem scores helps.</p>

2

<p>The short answer, and this applies to all of us, is “yes, but only on paper.”</p>

<p>Why worry? Maybe one dimensional is the new Renaissance man.</p>

3

<p>One dimensional people don’t routinely score 700 SAT verbals. Stats-wise, you’re viable. As you surmise, the other intangibles will determine yea/nay for you. Hard to say but you can’t worry about it. My take is that 90% of what an applicant can present to colleges is already fixed. All you can do is polish what you have. Good luck to you.</p>

4

<p>Do you think that if I apply to all of HYPSMC, I will get into atleast 1?</p>

5

<p>Yes, but if I were you I wouldn’t SCEA to any of the HYPS. Maybe an ED to Columbia or Penn or an EA to a bunch of target schools would be better.</p>