<p>I am just wondering, besides GPA and SATs, what does Princeton adcoms look for or value most in applicants?
I have heard it is better to be well-rounded and I have also heard that they like to see you passionate about one thing…?
Do essays and recommendations carry a lot of wieght?</p>
<p>In general, what are the most important considerations, besides GPA and SAT, that princeton takes?</p>
<p>How unique you are compared to the rest of the applicants, I’m guessing.</p>
<p>…And I think you are missing extracurriculars to that list.</p>
<p>I hear Pton is a bit more score crazy than other ivies. Additionally, and this is purely based of stories people have told me, Pton doesnt really care a ton about your essays.</p>
<p>According to Princeton, there’s nothing that it looks for ‘most’:
[Princeton</a> University | Reviewing the Applications](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/faq/reviewing_the_application/]Princeton”>http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/faq/reviewing_the_application/)</p>
<p>What does Princeton look for in its applicants?
We review each application individually to get a sense of that student’s particular combination of strengths. We don’t have a profile of the ideal applicant or the ideal class. In fact, one of Princeton’s greatest strengths is the variety of talents, personal qualities, experiences and points of view in each incoming class. There are some qualities we hope all Princeton students share: integrity, a deep interest in learning and a devotion to both academic and nonacademic pursuits. Many students also bring distinctive academic and extracurricular talents and achievements. Beyond those fundamental qualities, we consider how each candidate might contribute to the community we will bring together for that year’s class.</p>
<p>Is different weight given to different parts of the application?
No. We do not have a formula for weighting different parts of the application. While the transcript is the most important part of an application, we consider all of the components of each application and consider each applicant’s particular strengths.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t have gotten in if Princeton were fare more score-crazy then other ivies. I like to think that once you cross into the threshold of really good grades/scores that you have to stand out through your extracurriculars, essays, something.</p>
<p>I think essays are important since it’s your way to express yourself and show why you’re awesome and worth accepting over other people who may have better scores.</p>
<p>Probably the same thing all the other top colleges look for. Being good at a lot of different categories. I always feel like the only people who care about what a school looks for most are the people who lack strongly (or not so strongly for the super insecure) in one particular area and then want people to reassure them that everything is going to be ok.</p>
<p>^@ princeton12, out of curiosity, what were your scores? what do you think the threshold is? i’ve heard everything from 2100+, 2200+, 2250+, etc.</p>
<p>@ newb, well yeah some schools look for well-rounded but it seems top schools are increasingly looking for lopsided people too, so it’s always helpful to try to get a sense of whether a particular schools looks more for “perfect at everything” or “really good/passionate at a few things in particular”, y’know…</p>
<p>I had 4800 SAT (SAT I + 3*SATII), so don’t take my case as representative. But let me tell you there are a lot of normal/not super smart people here, and I’m sure some had high SAT scores and some had lower ones. I’m sure anything that shows [Princeton level] competence is fine…</p>
<p>At the information session, one of the associate admissions deans said they were looking for “flava.” Whatever that means to them. Then she told this story about some young man’s essay where his goal for senior year was to get a date. He was admitted.</p>
<p>We then read about the Princeton faculty commenting that Princeton seemed to be full of bright young people who had learned to work the system. The admissions representative’story kind of confirmed the faculty’s impressions. Hmmmm.</p>
<p>I think around 2100 is passable if you have other outstanding (but not necessarily ridiculous on the national level) ec’s. I know somebody here with amazing EC’s who got in with 1990.</p>
<p>I know somebody with around a 2250 with not that great EC’s but probably great essays.</p>
<p>It’s different for different people. You can’t really know.</p>
<p>Just do your best, try to represent your passions and interests, and try to have essays that express who you are and why you’re you and why you’re awesome. That’s my advice. </p>
<p>Sorry to be super vague.</p>
<p>Look, I will just tell you right now that the odds of you getting into princeton with below a 2300 are very slim if you arent hooked. Just take a look at the results thread if you dont believe me. Though, I will say that I believe 2400er (I am not one of them btw) get an even bigger advanage than 2300ers despite what people will tell you.</p>
<p>I don’t have much factual information to back this up, but it does appear that Princeton is more numbers-based. For example, I know people who have gotten into Brown with average test scores (for the Ivy League, meaning in the 1900’s), but with amazing essays. It doesn’t seem like this happens as often at Princeton.</p>
<p><em>Gulp</em></p>
<p>I failed my math class and am re-taking it…</p>
<p>With the re-take, I have the highest GPA. Will this one F ruin my transcript?.. Or will they let ONE slide?</p>
<p>A failed course is definitely very detrimental to your chances of getting in pton</p>
<p>This is kind of random, but in reading your transcript, would Princeton count Phys. Ed as part of your actual GPA? Or no? Because I managed to be <em>that</em> kid who got Cs in PE. XP</p>
<p>Doubt it. Unlike some schools (ie MIT) we don’t have any phys. ed. requirement. It’s also obviously not an academic class (unless it was combined with “health sciences” or something of that nature, which I know happens often).</p>
<p>Nope, our health class was a separate entity. It’s good to know that my lack of coordination won’t keep me out of a good school :)</p>
<p>ivyequestrian, i spoke to an admissions counselor that came to my school and she said that when they recalculate applicants’ gpas they take out phys ed, so i wouldn’t worry too much about it although getting a c in a course like phys ed may raise a few eyebrows. what im saying is, it won’t affect your gpa, but it may be a bit questionable as they do still see your transcript.</p>