is it worth it?

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

<p>i’m wondering if i should apply to pton… i’m pretty worried about getting into a good college… and being able to pay for it… i’m really low-income…</p>

<p>i’m already applying to harvard, columbia, stanford, nyu, usc, and bu. i figured another ivy wouldnt be worth it…but now i’m thinking, maybe it is…? my test scores are just really low.</p>

<p>female/white/suburbia</p>

<p>RANK: 10/413 (public school)
GPA: 3.9 uw, 4.7 w
SAT I: Critical Reading 740, Math 680, Writing 700
SAT II: Math Level II 760, American 660, Literature 640</p>

<p><em>Hardest courseload possible with independent study and distance education courses through the harvard extension school.</em>
AP courses: Lit, Calc AB, Calc BC, Chem, Physics B, USH, US Govt, Euro
College courses: Screenwriting, Directing, Film Studies, Colonial American History</p>

<p>*Theatre - Drama Club Historian; Student Director for theatre productions, Best Stage Manager award; Sound Designer; TA for theatre classes
*Film - Student Film Society President, Founder; local film events volunteer; production asst/intern on various feature films
*Figure Skating - LearnToSkate program volunteer, annual show soloist, pending judge certification
*Varsity Crew - considered a club, but Varsity boat all 4 years; Vice President
*Web Design/Development - Owner/Designer of large site since 2000
*Violin - 13 yrs</p>

<p>Summer 2004 - Harvard SSP - received grant to attend
Summer 2005 - USC Film Study Seminar - received grant to attend</p>

<p>QuestBridge Finalist
Lowell Student Scholar (Harvard Extension School)
Early College Scholar (Stage Program)
Typical stuff: AP Scholar, Nat’l Merit Commended, Junior Marshal, Honor Roll, Honors Societies - NHS, Beta Club, International Thespian Society</p>

<p>Great rec’s and essay.
Low-income w/ unemployed parents, one disabled.</p>

2

<p>If you are worried about tuition, your best bet is to apply to in-state schools such as W & M and UVA although Harvard & Princeton are very generous. Like you, I am low income and that is why I am not applying to the schools you mentioned because we would be burdened with a lot of debt. Also, some of those schools are too far away and since I am low income, frankly I do not have the means for transportation. Since you are also low income, did the cost of transportation come into mind? UVA and W & M will meet all of your financial needs w/o loans through Access Virginia. Since you are a VA resident and money is an issue, maybe you should look into those schools which are top notch. Of course it also depends on what you plan to study and if those schools offer it. Best of luck to you.</p>

3

<p>pton has probably the best financial aid in the ivies. You should certainly apply</p>

4

<p>ok…^ that’s why i’d like to apply…</p>

<p>i just didnt know if i was “hopeless” b/c of my dismal SAT scores… (i heard they cut you a break though if youre low-income, b/c we cant take prep classes? maybe not…)</p>

5

<p>also, they are affiliated w/ questbridge in some way, and i’m in that program… (stanford is too and they apparantly accept a lot of quest kids…didnt know if pton is doing the same)…</p>

6

<p>Princeton signed up with Questbridge this year I believe.
Williams is also participating.</p>

<p>Write great essays that set you apart and you have a shot.</p>

<p>Lafayette College is generous with fin aid and they offer merit scholarships.</p>

7

<p>thanks, hadnt looked at Lafayette yet…</p>

8

<p>umm, if your low income, ivy leage schools will throw money at you faster than you can catch it. They taught us that at the Questscholars interviews. Their need-blind, and that can make them cheeper than state schools. I’m applying to ivy leage schools BECAUSE i’m low income</p>

9

<p>That isn’t always true though. I’m low incoem and I applied to some Ivies (Cornell and Pton), but I’ve heard storied of some of them not being too kind, so I’m a little worried. But, they are just storied I try to tell myself, because if I don’t get an almost free ride it’s hello community college.</p>

10

<p>Well, is your low-income 60 grand a year or 20 grand a year?</p>

11

<p>How did you hear about Questscholars? I had never heard of it before CC and now it is too late to apply.</p>

12

<p>Got a letter in the mail for a high PSAT score. not high enough for the national merit people though. I get so much mail though, i just crate it up and take it to the school counseler</p>

13

<p>Oh, I see! Obviously mine was not high enough.</p>

14

<p>your SAT score is fine, so long as it’s above 2100 you have a decent shot at getting in like 50% of all applicants ;)</p>