SAT I (breakdown): 1520 (780M, 740 E)
SAT II:770 Physics 790 Math 2
Unweighted GPA (out of 4.0): All A’s except 6 B+'s in English and French(From first-semester tenth to first-semester junior). This is the only blemish on my app. But the justification for this is that I moved to the USA from India in tenth grade because my father is a diplomat. My Oral French and Written English skills were nowhere near my the level of my peers. Consequently, I had to meet my French teacher outside class three times a week for all of the tenth grade and had to learn English writing starting from metaphors. To make up for this I have got A’s in the second semester of junior year and will do so in the Senior year too. Also, my counsellor rec will address this and I am taking a required rec from my French teacher. Both say it is more impressive that I covered so much ground in a year and then took IB in eleventh. As a sidebar, will all this makeup for my grades?
IB: 42/45 predicted. HL Math(7) Physics(7) Econ(7), SL: Chem(7) English(6) French(6), +2 extra tok/ee
Senior Year Course Load: HL Math Physics Econ SL Chem English French
Major Awards: Couldn’t win anything or take part in Regeneron, Siemens because of nationality. But still did olympiads and math comps. Some medals and academic honours.
Subjective:
Extracurriculars (place leadership in parenthesis):
1)Practice and learn percussion instrument(tabla) from India. Reached advanced level in ancient Indian system within 3 years. Also, give solo performances.(10.5 hrs a week, 52 weeks)
2)Assisted research on physics and modelling of possible tensegrity landing mechanism for future planetary rovers and topological insulators at GaTech
3)In the process of creating an Indo-Irish Fusion Music Album with the tabla and fiddle
4)Delivered nationally telecast MLK’s speech at Atlanta’s Ebenezer Church in front of thousands including politicians like Bernie Sanders.
5)Interned at a company that plates semiconductors. Carried out plating for entities like the Space Station and learned physics of semiconductors
6)Surveyed health of 400 families in Delhi’s slums. Wrote an internal research paper based on data. Started a semi-annual health camp inspired by paper
7)Collaborated with school’s concert band to incorporate tabla into western classical music, and presented at the winter and spring concert.
8)Leader of math Club
9)Leader of Science Club with medals
10)Played golf at the varsity level and brought school 5 spots up in the regional tournament. 2015 MVP
Essays:
Common App: 8/10. Spent months writing and editing. Wrote about how my conversations make me unique. Being a diplomats son leads to me meeting people every day, and so speaking to them lends insights, values, intellectual discoveries etc. I also spoke of conversations outside the house. Juxtaposition of my examples with dialogue is unique
Princeton Big One- 9/10. Chose a quote from Brief History of Time and wrote about how mysteries of physics drive me to excel in physics. Everything I have done and how I have crafted my life around physics are a result of questions.
Princeton EC: Tabla 9/10
Princeton Summer: 10/10
Teacher Recommendation:
Math HL Teacher:8-9/10
French SL:8-9/10
Counselor Rec: 8/10
Applied for Financial Aid?: No
Intended Major: Physics
State (if domestic applicant): Georgia(Just Live in USA. Unique situation)
Country (if international applicant): India
School Type: Private/International
Ethnicity: Indian
Gender: Male
Hooks (URM, first generation college, etc.): Nope
So, to conclude, I know chances are slim as an international. But I am crafting my app around physics. I have been in love with the subject and my grades, my EC’s, my recs and my essays will demonstrate strict passion, intellectual curiosity and immersion. I have even connected the tabla to physics, attached my IB Extended Essay on the mathematics and derivation of the Einstein Field Equations. My favourite book is the Principia Mathematica(Isaac Newton) and I have stressed my study of physics through lectures, papers, books etc. Princeton is my no, 1 because of the research emphasis and opportunities. I am asking for some probability because I don’t know how I stand, and third party opinions are always eye-opening. Thank you!