Should I go for ED? Do I have a shot? (stats inside)

Colleges & Universities Princeton University
1

<p>If I were to go for Princeton, it’d be ED, and under Computer Science.</p>

<p>GPA 4.00uw/4.46 (UC GPA, uncapped).
SAT - 2360 (790m/780cr/790w)
SAT II - 800 Chemistry/800 Math IIC
AP - 5 Comp Sci/5 Chemistry</p>

<p>Note: I’ve only taken two AP’s through my junior year because that’s all I could have taken except for APUSH, which I have absolutely no interest in.</p>

<p>Senior year schedule:
AP French
AP Calc B/C
AP Gov’t
HL Physics (not taking AP Bio because Caltech wants physics)
Contemp Lit</p>

<p>Self-studying for AP Japanese (course conflict with French)
Taking highest level programming class @ community college (ranked top in CA)</p>

<p>Summary: I’ve taken the most difficult classes available to me except for APUSH and AP Lit. In place of that I’m self-studying for another AP language and taking a programming class about two to three levels past AP Comp Sci.</p>

<p>Awards/Honors:
National Merit Semi-Finalist (PSAT 224)
AIME qualifier
Sun Certified Professional (Sun Certified Programmer for Java 5.0) [considered one of the toughest IT exams out there]
DestinationImagination team competition - 1st in regionals</p>

<p>EC’s:
1000+ hrs. software research and development (hobby). grades 10, 11, 12
200+ hrs. web technology research and programming (hobby). grades 11, 12
200+ hrs. computer setup, server design and programming for a medical group (volunteer). grades summer before 11~12
Secretary of computer club at school. grades 11, maybe 12
DestinationImagination team competition. grade 10</p>

<p>Work Experience:
Web design and programming. Summers before 11 and 12
Restaurant work, accounting, computer networking. Summers before 10, 11, 12</p>

<p>Semi-hook, if there is one: a kid who likes chemistry and computers, but has a good verbal score + two AP languages? Maybe not unheard of, but I wouldn’t think that it’s exactly common.</p>

<p>I’ve looked at their CS department, the courses look interesting, and their summer program is something I’d be interested in. The only thing worrying me is money… I really wish the $11B institution would offer a bit more. Besides that, I’d definitely be happy at Princeton, that’s for sure. Do I have a decent shot? Should I go for ED?</p>

2

<p>Nothing to cmoplain about with your academics, clearly, though I assume you’re taking a third SAT II in October? The only thing that is a bit troubling seems to be a lack of EC"s that actaully involve other human beings. Other than that you show a clearl passion and interest in Computer Science, so I’d say you have an ok shot.</p>

3

<p>You lack athletics and leadership. You seem to be quite lopsided, which sometimes may be an advantage if you are exceptionally good at one thing, in your case computers. It is difficult from your stats to tell if this is the case. Have you won any competitons? Still, it could just as easily hurt you because you are missing significant pieces of what schools look for in an applicant. I think your chances are no better than average.</p>

4

<p>Kelly, I agree with you. Princeton is tough for anyone to get into, and the best shot of getting in is being either “well-rounded” or “well-lopsided.” Just looking at your stats, it doesn’t seem like you’re either. That certainly doesn’t mean you won’t get in, but it does hurt a little, perhaps. Also, Princeton has the best financial aid program in the country–what more do you want out of it???</p>

5

<p>I’d say your chances are better than average, but you’re definitely not a lock. I wouldn’t worry too much about the lack of leadership or athletics. If you did something like that but had no passion for it, the adcoms would be able to tell. Some community service might have been nice though.</p>

6

<p>I’m getting my recs from the comp. sci teacher and calc teacher, both I’ve had for two years, and the recs should be good.</p>

<p>I’ve used the financial calculator - at best I’ll get $15K, which is not enough. I’ve seen on Princeton’s financial aid PDF that the average grant package for a family in the ~$80,000 to $10,000 range is $30K. If I can get $30K, I’ll go for sure, but I really don’t want to apply ED if I can’t be sure that I’ll get that. Does that statistic in the PDF include outside grants? I may be able to get $2500 from national merit, but that obviously doesn’t help that much in the course of a $170K, four year payment. It’s really only the money that’s holding me back. </p>

<p>I need to know soon so I can take another SAT II if needed (probably in French, expected score ~750, I’m not too great in French). Otherwise it’s SCEA @ Stanford, where I’d also like to go (if I got adequate funding). Because of the higher chances, an opportunity to see the east, and a great school, I’d like to apply to Princeton ED though.</p>

7

<p>If you can’t go because of financial reasons, they won’t make you go. I don’t know what else you’d do though (like if you didn’t end up going to Princeton–you may be stuck for a year).</p>

8

<p>Exactly. My other two “first choices” are UC Berkeley and Stanford, and I would be happy at any of those.</p>

<p>Ah, screw it. SCEA Stanford, Berkeley normal, and I’ll go with the cheaper one. Both are top in the world for engineering anyway (right behind MIT).</p>

9

<p>First just worry about getting into schools, and then you can worry about choices. Good luck.</p>

10

<p>Princeton <em>just</em> updated the estimator and it looks like I’d get quite a bit more than previously calculated. Well, if money isn’t holding me back anymore, I think I’ll go for it.</p>

<p>One question: Is it better to have two teachers from different subject areas (like a math and a history teacher) write recs or would it be better to get recs from a math and a programming teacher (two somewhat related subject areas)? The first choice shows diversity, but the second might be good since I want to major in engineering.</p>

11

<p>The qualities necessary to be good at computer science and math are so similar that having recs in both of those subjects probably wouldn’t say much more than just having a rec in one. Having a rec from your history teacher could highlight some of your critical thinking skills that you don’t use in math or computer science.</p>

12

<p>i’d say chances are 30ish %</p>

13

<p>What made you say that? Could it be that the ED acceptance rate is near 30%?</p>

14

<p>Isn’t it better to have a 30% school as an ED school than a match/safety for ED? Seems to me that he wouldn’t be limiting his chances that way.</p>

15

<p>Yeah, it would be ■■■■■■■■ to apply ED to your safety.</p>