@psywar Are you absolutely sure the e-mail said that? Do you think that it has veracity? Statistically, that is EXTREMELY unlikely — a 30% increase is unprecedented.
@psywar Are you sure they weren’t talking about a 30% increase in applicants from your local chapter?
I believe the RD admit rate for Princeton last year (Class of 2020) was about 3.9%. With more applicants, that’s likely to be lower.
greeeeeeat…guess I should just let go of all hope now!
Given that Harvard saw a 1% increase, a 30% increase seems highly unlikely. Princeton’s SCEA apps were up 18% but that’s off a much smaller base and also probably included kids who decided to apply SCEA instead of RD. It does, however, seem as though Princeton has upped its marketing especially outreach to first generation, low SES, and URMS as well as specific geographic regions. Even so, 30% doesn’t seem possible. Guess we’ll have to wait and see.
Just posted this is Harvard thread in response to a comment. I want to hear what Princeton applicants think about it though (obviously there will be some overlap between the two threads) :
There is a dramatic comedy movie about Princeton admissions. If I remember correctly, it is called “Admission” (lol), and it stars Tina Fey. I have no idea how accurate it is, but consider watching it to pass the time and see a guess about what goes on in the admissions office. I found it very entertaining. In the movie, they make preliminary cuts, then take the applications to a committee who either accepts, waitlists, or denies the applicants. It could be vastly different for Harvard, but based on my research I think many top schools do this.
@y90y90 I just relayed what was written. It didn’t differentiate between local, or nationwide. 30% is crazy high, but SCEA was up 18% so it isn’t impossible. Sorry, just passing on what I read. Good luck to all.
@psywar the SCEA 18% was only an additional of about 800 applications. The percentage increase looked higher because of a smaller sample size(5003 SCEA applicants) . An extra 8791 applications (0.3*29303 as of last year) seems a bit unreasonable. Maybe it was a local increase that was mentioned?
@icarus29 Sorry, I do not know. We’ll find out together in a few weeks. Good luck!
i know this is cheesy and you’ve all heard it but please everybody, i am sure you are all bright and wonderful people who will be successful no matter what princeton says ~ wish everyone luck with college stuff <3 focus on spending time with family & friends for now, second semester doesn’t really matter and you won’t be around these people for long
@MissAnthropy great advice. Here is a blog post from a senior at Princeton, talking about winding down her time at Princeton and comparing her freshman mindset to her senior year. I think it shows anxiety over “will I get in?”, “will I get this class?”, “what is my next step in life?” (currently a thesis lol), never goes away and is very human… so, enjoy your time (and friends) where you are at, life moves ever quicker… http://pcur.princeton.edu/2017/03/back-to-where-it-all-began/#more-4292
- psy
Hello everyone! I know that I’m introducing myself very late in the game, but when I was rejected Penn ED it was great to talk to other applicants online. Since it’ll likely be a “no” from Princeton as well, I thought I’d say hi!
The way you should look at it is that you don’t apply to a school, your chances of getting in are 0%. By applying and taking your best shot, you have a much better chance to get in. Waiting on decision after the SCEA deferral with a positive outlook and fingers crossed.
Have you guys ever done very poorly on a test after junior year? How do you respond/react once you screwed up so badly on your test? I did so poorly on a test today, and I am beyond depression and anxiety.
@Studio Ghibli I got a 55 on my AP Physics 2 test this year (sigh…thermodynamics and fluids). Funny thing is, my teacher didn’t give me a retest or a curve and only gave 1 test that quarter. That meant that I had to receive a 100 on every other assignment. I was sad for a while. But, picked myself up, and studied hard as hell for the midterm and got a 94. That brought my semester grade up to above a 90. 
Sure, I’ve bombed a couple of tests. Don’t worry about only one test—it happens! No one expects complete perfection (and complete test perfection, as we know, does not necessarily warrant admission). You’ll do well on the next tests.
@Studio Ghibli I would not worry about one test. I am very bad at math (despite being in AP Calculus). Last year I flat out failed 4 exams, and was able to finish the year with an A-. One bad test grade will not destroy your chances at any college.
I checked my portal and it says my application is complete, but it doesn’t show that my midyear report was received. I’m thinking Princeton has just given up on me…
@murpho same happened to son in 2020, he was admitted. Think positive!
Good luck,
Psy
Whoa, he was admitted in the future? Is there some time travel tech I’m missing out on? Fill me in!
Jokes aside, congrats to him. Your post should serve as an agent for calm for those who are having the same mid-year report issue.