@studioghibli You’re cool. Just don’t get more than 1 C, and nothing below it.
How strongly does Princeton recommend 4 years of foreign languages? I took three years of foreign languages and I didn’t know that Princeton recommends 4 years of foreign language before senior year (this year). So this year, I took a lot of math and science courses but no foreign language. I passed the state proficiency test in that language last year with a 99, but I understand that’s not the same thing as 4 years. I understand that I didn’t do enough research beforehand and that I’m completely at fault. How screwed am I?
@Anonymous261 your question has been posted on two threads - please keep your question to one thread. As I wrote to another poster, all of those who respond read all the threads and it creates a disjointed discussion when two threads are running the same topic.
To answer your question, Princeton regards proficiency in a second language very highly. If you can demonstrate such proficiency without 4 years of formal language study (for example through a proficiency test as you referenced), I cannot envision there being any negative impact on your application.
Now after I got to know about the language proficiency case, it all makes sense why my interviewer was so damn interested in my french diploma and me becoming the city topper. thanks @Cantiger
Kind of a late question but just calculating my chances here. Everything else aside, how bad does an ACT of 33 look?
Check the average for the schools you’re applying to. I will say that’s the low end of the mid 50 percentile for most ivy leagues if I am not mistaken. Of course, it’s an amazing score though. With the right grades and curriculares, it’s fine.
@Anonymous261 Your ACT score if fine. It will not determine your acceptance at an of the ivy’s. It will be based on other parts of your application such as ec’s, essays, letters of rec. You will not be at any disadvantage. They look at all your application. This is the reason why there are many kids with 2400 and 36 who don’t get in
@dryorange @Anonymous261 I respectfully disagree that you shouldn’t worry about a 33. Princeton’s CDS (https://registrar.princeton.edu/university_enrollment_sta/CDS_2016-2017.pdf) shows a 32 as the 25th percentile and a 35 as 75th percentile. So a 33 puts you in the middle-lower range, not somewhere you’d want to be when applying to Princeton, unless you are a recruited athlete, or truly stellar at something.
Another data point, your 33 is equal to a 2170 (for the 2016 old SAT), In 2016, Princeton accepted only 7.6% from the 2100-2290 range. They accepted 12.8% from the 2300-2400 (34-36) range, this is almost 2X of the 2100-2290 range. (https://admission.princeton.edu/how-apply/admission-statistics).
I agree your grades, course rigor, ECs, essays are more important than improving a 33, but don’t ignore how much it helps to have a 34-36.
-psy
At this point there’s no need to worry IMO the ACT is average won’t be a glaring mark on your app and it all depends how your other stuff looks. My SAT isn’t incredibly impressive either but I don’t think it’s gonna be the reason I don’t get in.
@a20171 While that is true in some sense, it’s the wrong way to look at things. It’s better to make all the things one can control perfect/close to perfect — i.e. getting 35 on the ACT. Otherwise, these little things add up and can be used against you when they compare similar candidates.
@VenomBuds I’m saying this 4 weeks from decisions though haha. Definitely pushed myself when testing and got the best score I could! I know its my best and I know its good its just not a 1600. Its not the time to be stressing about 20-30 SAT points or 1 ACT point for me simply because there’s nothing you can do about it.
what if your SAT is in the 2100-2290 range but your ACT is in the 34-36 range? Lol
Also I really like what @a20171 said. We are 1 month from decisions. There really is no reason to debate whether or not an individual can/should change their standardized test scores.
this mature awareness will serve you well, no matter where you end up. I agree not worth the stress over this cycle, more for discussion to help future candidates.
Good luck! - psy
I’m having my interview soon haha.
@psywar and @VenomBuds I am not sure that I would agree with you on the added value of trying to raise an ACT Score of 33 to a 35/36 at a late stage in the application process. As you know, a 33 Composite is already at the 99th percentile so technically cannot go much higher. For example, let’s say for argument’s sake that the choice was 1) to retake the ACT in November or December 2) focus on getting all A’s in school or 3) spending time on your favorite EC, maybe acting in the school autumn musical. Given that kids are already busy and time is precious, it would be hard to justify prioritising studying for another ACT over schoolwork and/or the musical.
The only exception to the above is if somebody thinks they need a 35/36 score for a merit scholarship, but otherwise, it would be hard to justify the need for a last minute ACT boost so close to the application deadlines.
@londondad Yes of course — I was mainly talking about for Juniors/people of the same age or younger. And I don’t really think it’s fruitful to mention percentiles in terms of standardized tests. For top schools, 99 percentile doesn’t mean much, as a majority of applicants will have scores in the 99 percentile. What truly matters is a score in the higher range of students admitted to that college — otherwise it’s effectively a misusage of statistics. But yes, 2 and 3 is definitely more useful than 1. However, if one is in Junior year, it would make sense to retake it to try to get as close to a 36 as possible.
“However, if one is in Junior year, it would make sense to retake it to try to get as close to a 36 as possible.”
Agreed.
I accidentally didn’t fill out my financial aid form specifically for Princeton. They sent me this email:
"Dear ____________:
You indicated you intend to apply for financial aid but have not yet submitted the Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA). This form is available on the Web at https://finaidapp.princeton.edu/FinAid/loginFreshman.jsp, and the required tax documents can be uploaded after submission. Although the deadline was February 1st, applications are still being accepted without penalty.
If you do not intend to apply for financial aid, please email our office at pfaa@princeton.edu so we may update our records. If you recently informed our office you are no longer applying for aid, please disregard this email.
Sincerely,
Undergraduate Financial Aid
220 West College
Box 591
Princeton, NJ 08542-0591"
I know I’m being a little too hopeful, but do you think this is an indication of my decision? Like would they actually want more financial aid info if I was rejected? Or is this just an automated email they sent to everyone that forgot haha? Thanks.
It’s an automated email. The financial aid office and the admissions office work separately. The financial aid office basically calculates a package for all applicants who requested financial aid regardless if they’re being accepted or not. At least that’s what the consensus has been here on CC, but what do we know haha @pbchohulk :-?
hahaha that’s what I figured! Thank you!