I’m an american citizen but I have lived my whole life in Brasil and I want to attend Princeton, unfortunately the system is so different so most of the things I could put as AP are mandatory, so I don’t really know what to do. We also don’t have weighted GPA.
Here are the classes I have had for high school:
Math 4 years
Portuguese 4 years
English(as a second language) 4 years
Music 1 year
Art 1 year
Chemistry 3 years
Biology 3 years
Physics 3 years
Science 1 year(sum of biology and chem)
Geography 4 years
Philosophy 3 years
Sociology 3 years
World History 4 years
Physical education 4 years
Geometric design 3 years
What do I say when they ask the subjects I took? Do I say they are regents? Also, how would I calculate my GPA if my grades are measured of 0 to 10.
Also, does participating in clubs like LGBT for example count as extracurricular?
Are there chances of me having a chance in Princeton with a 3.36/4 gpa?
THANK YOU!
Sounds like something you need to ask one of your teachers or a college counselor.
3.36 for princeton is low…very low…My friend got rejected from Princeton with a 3.97, the most rigorous course load, a 36 ACT, and she was captain of the debate team + Student Body President + Science Olympiad contestant, with awards won from debate and Science olympiad. The average accepted GPA at Princeton is 3.9, and that’s with recruited athletes bringing it down.
Are you LGBT, or is it an LGBT advocacy rights group, or is it a support group for LGBT students. I have no idea what you mean by “clubs like LGBT”
You need to work on your post a bit and try to clarify some things. We are kinda confused reading it.
Hello @ConcernedRabbit, sorry for the confusing language as you problably noticed by the terrible way I write, english is not my first language.
My GPA isn’t 3.36, it’s my GPA for 9th, 10th and 11th grades, since I don’t have yet finished school(School in Brazil finishes in november).
I am a LGBT and it’s a support group for LGBT students AND an advocacy rights group. I participated in the LGBT, black and feminist groups like this. I wanted to know if they count as activities.
What can I do to make my application better? Can I message you to ask for help? Thank you! Have a nice day.
If LGBT is a club that is trying to help promote equal rights, by all means put it on your application. If it is by any means a support group, you don’t want that. My school has the two things for LGBT things, Skittles (a support group) and CTA aka Committed to Action (A social service group). You want to make sure that you aren’t seen as someone who need therapy, because then you become a liability.
What grade are you in right now? What year do you plan to apply in?
@lynevenalu international applicants face a much more difficult admission rigor. Your GPA is too low, I’m not sure even with all A’s you could raise it high enough.
Did you take SAT / ACT tests? Has your school sent students to Princeton before / would adcoms know your school and course rigor? If not, it is just too much risk for them to admit you.
Hello @psywar, my school has sent students only to Harvard and they know nothing about the american application, so I’m alone in this boat.
But I count as international even being american? I was born in the US but live here in Brazil.
I haven’t taken the SAT test yet but when I took a simulation test of it my grade was 1380(of 1600) and this was without studying so I’m sure I can uplift it to 1500+
@lynevenalu “But I count as international even being american? I was born in the US but live here in Brazil.” I have no idea actually. My assumption would be if you only attended foreign schools and you are ESL you’d be treated as an international candidate. Maybe @Cantiger might know?
She is definitely not international. I know at least two other girls who were born in the US, lived in another country their entire lives (Korea and China), and then applied regularly.
Weighing in late on this thread - I believe it actually doesn’t really matter whether you were born in the US as far as Princeton is concerned. The students with an American education (in the US or abroad) are a known commodity to Princeton. Princeton admissions has a solid understanding of the education systems in many countries and will be able to make a good determination as to whether you are likely to be successful in a demanding environment that differs significantly from the one from which you came. So then, being viewed as an ‘international’ or "American’ has more to do with the ability to be successful at Princeton, than where you were born. I believe this is the real reason why many international students find it difficult to be admitted.
In terms of applying, if your first language and language of instruction are not English, you will be required to take the TOEFL test to prove proficiency. You will also need to write several exceptional essays (depending on your choice of concentration) to submit with your application.
@DavidPuddy - That is not what I’m saying. I believe that 1) the overall GPA of athletes is lower than that of the student body as a whole, 2) the GPA’s of athletes in “minor” sports are probably very similar to that of the entire student body, and 3) there are exceptions to any generalization, by which I mean that there likely are football players with 4.0’s as well as non-athletes with surprisingly low GPA’s.
I’ll add that I have first hand knowledge of athletes graduating with Latin honors, going on to very competitive graduate programs, etc.
I am far from an expert but I think all schools like regional diversity. It may be good to take the SAT/ACT test and SAT subject tests. This will help establish common ground. Also your extra curriculars will make a difference. If you have done work on LBGT rights and contributed in a meaningful way, I am sure it will improve your application. People can be very negative on CC sometimes, but I think until you give it a shot, you wont really know. Individual cases should never be decided by the law of averages. I would say GO FOR IT. Of course, apply elsewhere too. Even students with the best of grades apply to many schools. The whole process of applying is an education in itself and a valuable experience. Preparing your Princeton application will help your applications to other schools as well. Make sure you have a few people take a look at it not just for grammar but also for content. I am told schools take into account how you did based on the opportunities available to you. Also, your letters of recommendation will indicate how well you perform relative to other students in your school/city They can share what is unique about you. You will not be compared with other students from the East Coast or students from China etc. You will be compared with applicants from your region.