Anyone Here Go to Princeton? Or any College?

[puma1552]

Wow that kind of sounds cool. What did you do there? Anyway I dont have anything like that around where I live and I just have common things like: library, nursing home, I dont even have an animal shelter. I have done road side cleanups with FBLA and the advisor said she would right a letter of recomendation when the time came, and I also have a math teacher and a guidance counseler who would right one also.

just make sure in your princeton essay you dont right 'right' and instead right 'write'...

I was a garden interpreter; I explained the design aesthetics of Japanese gardens to guests, and independently led tours of the garden's secluded 16th century style teahouse. It was easy. 3 hours a day, and I only had to do 10 shifts per summer to get credit for having done it, though I usually did more. Got me out of bed early, and there is nothing more relaxing than sitting on a bench in a quiet Japanese garden on an early sunny summer morning listening to the garden's waterfall. If I was still there, I'd still be doing it.

 

[gan6660]

just make sure in your princeton essay you dont right 'right' and instead right 'write'...

I was a garden interpreter; I explained the design aesthetics of Japanese gardens to guests, and independently led tours of the garden's secluded 16th century style teahouse. It was easy. 3 hours a day, and I only had to do 10 shifts per summer to get credit for having done it, though I usually did more. Got me out of bed early, and there is nothing more relaxing than sitting on a bench in a quiet Japanese garden on an early sunny summer morning listening to the garden's waterfall. If I was still there, I'd still be doing it.

Ha... Good catch.

 

[ejb190]

Just my two cents...

I get a bit worried when kids (or parents) start obsessing about school names without ever considering a major - not even a basic field. I knew a girl who was determined to go to some school in Kansas and major in Marine Biology. I figured she might want to go to a school a bit closer to water...

Nothing worse then working you butt off to get into a school that doesn't offer the major you want and having to transfer.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Honestly blaming the iPad for your shoddy writing is probably not the way to get into Princeton, even if your mom's cousin is a Vice Dean of Admissions.

To get in, start planning earlier than 11th grade. Since you cannot go back in time I would work hard now and be sure to introduce yourself to that cousin of your mother's. Good luck, I bet you get in on that alone.

 

[gan6660]

Just my two cents...

I get a bit worried when kids (or parents) start obsessing about school names without ever considering a major - not even a basic field. I knew a girl who was determined to go to some school in Kansas and major in Marine Biology. I figured she might want to go to a school a bit closer to water...

Nothing worse then working you butt off to get into a school that doesn't offer the major you want and having to transfer.

Princeton is actually the perfect school for what I want to do major in business with a minor in law. Rutgers is also great for my plan.

Honestly blaming the iPad for your shoddy writing is probably not the way to get into Princeton, even if your mom's cousin is a Vice Dean of Admissions.

To get in, start planning earlier than 11th grade. Since you cannot go back in time I would work hard now and be sure to introduce yourself to that cousin of your mother's. Good luck, I bet you get in on that alone.

Thanks Jessica, I have already met my mom's cousin and I do wish I did more activities over the last 2 years.

 

[CalBoy]

Hi, I am starting my search for college as I am a Jr. in Highschool. My GPA is 3.6/3.7 and on my PSAT I got a 1660. I will be taking my SAT's on May 1st. Know my question is what colleges do people here go to and how similar were you grades to mine?

I usually don't like to deliver bad news to students (and a 3.6-7 is still something to be proud of ), but the chances of getting into virtually any Top 20 undergrad institution is going to be tough for you given your current numbers.

I have a cousin (now a freshman) who had much higher scores (GPA 3.9 and an ACT score somewhere in the high 20s-analogous to 1900-2000 on the SAT I). She also put in years volunteering at the same hospital and doing lots of community service somehow related to medicine or caring for people, was part of a dance group for 6+ years, played one other sport (I can't remember off the top of my head), and was very active in school leadership (topping it off as school VP during her senior year). If anyone was going to get into the best colleges in the country, it would have been her.

However, even she couldn't get into any Top 20 schools. The fact is, getting into a good college directly from high school is very tough. Now of course this doesn't mean that you shouldn't aim for Princeton (you know, shoot for the moon, land amongst the stars and all that jazz), but you shouldn't bank on it, even with your mom's connections.

I think what you should do before settling on which school you'd like to go to, is figure out what you'd like to do. If you intend to be a computer programmer, mechanical or chemical engineer, nurse, PA, pharmacist, and a whole host of other jobs, then quite frankly Princeton (and just about any other university charging $35,000+ in fees) is a poor return on investment. A state college or university can prepare you quite well for many careers with a very high return on investment.

If you'd like to be a doctor, lawyer, or MBA, however, you probably should consider finding other ways to get into the very best school possible. For these types of careers, one's graduate school weighs more heavily in the short term (though still not as much as the $50,000 annual cost of Harvard or Yale would like you to believe), and the best graduate schools tend to look more favorably upon the best undergraduate schools. One option you might consider is putting in a few years at a local junior college and then transferring. If you can maintain a high GPA during your first two years, many impressive schools will consider you, and you'll have the chance to save a lot of money.

Sorry buddy, but if you're already a Junior and have to ask what it takes, I don't think you'll meet their criteria - at least without being in a position to have some strings pulled from the inside.

Of course it's perfectly possible the OP just isn't ready for college just yet (or won't be in a year either). If he can find something to do for a year or two, and then apply, that might actually help him out. Colleges love it when you've actually lived some life because you bring so much more to the school.

 

[gan6660]

snip

Thanks, you really gave some insight. And yes I do plan to major in business and a minor in law. Its weird most people when there in elementary school want to be a policeman, firefighter, astronaught, etc. But I also wanted to do what I want to do now and I think that helps because it will make me work harder for something Ive always wanted.

 

[AvSRoCkCO1067]

Folks on this forum are intelligent - coming here for advice is a great idea! Unfortunately, I've gotta side with what most others are saying. College isn't about where you go - it's about what you do while in college. Major first, location second.

And make sure you know why you want to major in business. What about business interests you? Why get a minor in Law (minors don't usually mean anything, and won't get you any advantage when looking for a job, so I'm assuming you're just interested in Law?)

Either way, I know so many intelligent people who were rejected from the Ivy leagues - intelligent, involved students. I had a 4.8 and a 34 ACT score - but I went to a state school because it was cheaper . I was student body president in high school and owned a photography company - but I STILL wouldn't stand a chance getting into a top 20 school! There's just too much competition.

 

[leomac08]

I say finish strong kid. This is the most important year because colleges mainly look at your 10th and 11th grades.

To be honest and to shoot you with the truth, a 3.6-3.7 GPA is not gonna get you in Princeton, unless you have a 2400 in your SAT or a 36 in your ACT.

I had a 3.9 GPA

SAT 1250

ACT 23

I was soccer goalkeeper, lead-drummer, musician, drumline, president and vice-president of my youth group, and many other stuff such as being a poll worker for the 08 elections.

out of the 12 colleges I applied

10 accepted me

UCLA, UC Berkeley, didn't

got wait listed to USC

the only private school that accepted me was LMU.

i got accepted to almost any CSU and some UC's.

i ended up in the 3rd hardest UC to get in.

 

[chstr]

Thanks, you really gave some insight. And yes I do plan to major in business and a minor in law. Its weird most people when there in elementary school want to be a policeman, firefighter, astronaught, etc. But I also wanted to do what I want to do now and I think that helps because it will make me work harder for something Ive always wanted.

You really need to do some more research about what you want to major in.

 

[GoCubsGo]

Princeton is actually the perfect school for what I want to do major in business with a minor in law. Rutgers is also great for my plan.



Thanks Jessica, I have already met my mom's cousin and I do wish I did more activities over the last 2 years.

Here's the way I see it. I figured you young but not in high school. You are enterprising but sometimes being enterprising is not enough for a top 10 (are they still top 10) school. I have to hand it to you though, if you had focused on this goal as much as you focus on buying and reselling for a profit (and please take that as a compliment because I mean it as one) then you would likely be closer to your goal.


Unfortunately your mother's cousin's sister's brother whatever will be trumped by someone else's son or daughter who has more pull at the school. It sucks but you do have to apply, at the very least apply.

 

[dmr727]

Of course it's perfectly possible the OP just isn't ready for college just yet (or won't be in a year either). If he can find something to do for a year or two, and then apply, that might actually help him out. Colleges love it when you've actually lived some life because you bring so much more to the school.

That's a good point.

 

[macEfan]

Is 4.0 still the highest you can have? Also my GPA over the last 3 years comes out to be 3.8 and thats with a few honors classes. Next year I will be taking an AP class if that makes a difference.

So you are a Junior and you have not taken any AP classes? Top colleges always look for students who strive to go beyond the norm....thus you should probably have taken at least two AP classes this year.

Also, as someone else pointed out, I don't know how far you will get with the grammatical issues in your first post. Personal statements need to be practically flawless in order to stand out.

Edit 1: And by the way, for your reference, most people get around 200pts better on the actual SAT compared with the PSAT.
Edit 2: I do not find it very wise that you are talking about pulling strings to get into Princeton on a public forum. What kind of ethics are you using?

 

[CalBoy]

Thanks, you really gave some insight. And yes I do plan to major in business and a minor in law. Its weird most people when there in elementary school want to be a policeman, firefighter, astronaught, etc. But I also wanted to do what I want to do now and I think that helps because it will make me work harder for something Ive always wanted.

What is a minor in "law?"

Do you know what a "law" minor would cover? What is it's practical use?

I'm asking because I think what you're actually describing is a combined JD/MBA (which is offered at most schools, but it's very hard to get in, so be forewarned).

I think you really need to take a long hard look at yourself and evaluate the type of person you are. This isn't meant to be offensive, but not everyone is cut out for school. I have a much older cousin that was never a particularly good student (he wasn't bad either per se, but he didn't enjoy it and it showed in his grades). He's actually a very talented and intelligent person and owns his own business. He knew he didn't want to go to college, and that takes courage.

Of course I'm not saying you should drop out of school or anything, but be honest with yourself. Are you going to be an entrepreneur? Do you want to run your own business or someone else's? Do you really like the idea of practicing law? All of these things matter, and you need to evaluate them before putting down $200,000 for an education that may not benefit you. Talk to lawyers, businessmen, MBAs, and anyone and everyone who might have objective perspective to provide (read: NOT family or friends).

 

[rhsgolfer33]

Also, as someone else pointed out, I don't know how far you will get with the grammatical issues in your first post. Personal statements need to be practically flawless in order to stand out.

Honestly, I make grammatical errors all the time when posting on here, but my graduate school admissions essays didn't have any; I'm not about to give every post I write on MacRumors the seven reads and peer reviews that my admissions essays received.


To the OP, I'd shoot a little lower. No harm in applying to Princeton really, but I'd probably save my money and apply elsewhere. Look at some state colleges in your area and maybe some smaller private schools that offer lots of academic scholarships. I was in a similar position to you after high school and received an excellent scholarship at a small liberal arts college. I studied accounting, got a great GPA and decent GMAT scores, and had no problem getting into graduate school at the top accounting programs in the country. Its also helped me to graduate with no debt. I've had a great experience and would recommend going to a smaller school to anyone interest in it.

That said, there are disadvantages to going with a small program. Small schools often lack certain labs and the variety of courses you can get at a larger program. For instance, my college's psychology department doesn't have lab rats for experiments, where as most larger colleges likely do. For some majors, its not a big deal, but it certainly can affect opportunities in certain majors. As far as business and pre-law go, I don't think you have to worry much about this, but if you decided to switch majors you could run into walls with regards to labs, etc.

Also, if you have your heart set on a top undergraduate program, look at going to community or junior college first. You'll save a lot of money and hopefully will be able to get into a choice higher on your list than if you'd just applied now.

 

[chstr]

OP: what do you really want to do when you "grow up"? Do you want to be a lawyer? Do you want to work for a fortune 500 company? You mentioned majoring in business and minoring in law, neither of which are undergraduate majors at Princeton, or any other respectable Bachelors degree granting institution. Those are concentrations reserved for graduate school after getting a Bachelors degree. Do you understand? I don't mention this to be harsh, just to try to be helpful. You really need to do a little soul searching and figure out where your heart leads you to study if academia is truly the proper route for you. I wish you the best in your pursuit....

 

[puma1552]

Also, don't for a second underestimate the weight of your personal statement.

It's true that it may go further in grad school apps than undergrad apps, but nothing will be a bigger turn off than an academic stud numbers-wise and an airhead statement, so make sure that is concise, strong, and to the point.

 

[fivetoadsloth]

As a current senior that will be going to the East Coast next year I'll offer some advice. First, a great friend of mine is at Princeton, and another at Harvard (They are a year older then me). Getting into Princeton, or any top school, in some way comes down to luck. There are a few things that surely help, a 2400, Valedictorian, publishes research, USAMO, etc, but even with all of these your chances are not great. Every year Princeton receives thousands of applicants that have virtually perfect everything and have to pick between them.

My advice to you is definitely not to let yourself think of Princeton as the only place you will be happy in two years, it wont get you very far. I made a similar mistake, I was set on MIT for quite a while but I think everything turned out for the better.

Also, I think the correlation between the PSAT and SAT is better then what people have been suggesting. Your milage may vary, but the national average is actually quite consistent. If you are going to want to have a shot at Princeton you are going to need to study hard, and definitely take a shot at the ACT. Realistically, you are going to want over a 2200 or over a 34 or so. The valedictorian from my school this year was rejected by HYP, and he had a 34, tons of music, cross country, tennis, etc.

Find something you are passionate in and pursue it. For me, I pursued Math and Biology to the extreme, and recently Physics. I took math classes at community colleges. I'm through Multivariable Calculus and Linear Algebra- and there are countless high schoolers who have usurped me as well. Make sure you take the hardest classes that you can and devote yourself to them, take AP classes when they are offered, they can save quite a bit of money down the road.

Princeton has under a 10% acceptance rate, and to be completely honest your chances are probably considerably lower then that. I'm not saying that you can't aim for it, but don't become infatuated with black and orange.

To offer a bit of background on my friends who applied to Princeton:

Accepted:
35 ACT
#2 / 350
7 5's on AP Tests
SAT Subject Tests: 780 800 790

Rejected: (Accepted to Harvard)
2400 on SAT 36 ACT
3 800's on Subject Tests
8 5's on AP Tests
Summer research, published article, with local medical school
#1 /350

Another student, also rejected:
34 on ACT 2270 on SAT
#1 in Class
Etc, etc.


I was not trying to 'showcase' these individuals, merely I wanted to show you what you will be going up against, and how luck definitely plays a part of it.

Edit: Also, as others have stated, the essays are VERY important. As soon as the commonapp becomes available I would get a start on it if I were you. Put tons of time into your essays, write them, rewrite them, edit them, rewrite, have your teacher look over them, edit, etc, etc, ad naseum.


I wish you the best of luck, and if you have any questions feel free to ask. I finally finished the grueling college admissions process, so I have quite a bit of experience.

 

[puma1552]

Accepted:
35 ACT
#2 / 350
7 5's on AP Tests
SAT Subject Tests: 780 800 790

Rejected: (Accepted to Harvard)
2400 on SAT 36 ACT
3 800's on Subject Tests
8 5's on AP Tests
Summer research, published article, with local medical school
#1 /350

Good post, sloth.

I quoted this because this is also good; you'll note based on numbers that the second student is the 'better' of the two (though both outright fantastically impressive), but that's the one that got rejected. This just shows that there is more than numbers, and there is indeed some subjectivity in the admissions committee. Numbers are important at the undergraduate level--very important--but so too are extra curricular activities, volunteer work, the personal statement, etc.

Think of your application as a package representing the whole of you. That's how I got through my graduate school apps.

 

[fivetoadsloth]

Puma has a great point, when you are applying to college you are just going to be one more pile of papers. You'll need to 'package' yourself in a way you demonstrate passion, individuality, all while maintaining top academic ability. The pinnacle of academia is not the same for every person, contrary to what the media seems to have branded. Hallmark scholars are not all from Harvard, Yale, etc. Successful individuals pursue their passions, and you need to show that you are doing this to any admittance committee.

Sorry if any of my posts are coming of as harsh, I am trying to lay things out and may have done so a bit more forcefully that may be considered polite.

 

[rhsgolfer33]

You mentioned majoring in business and minoring in law, neither of which are undergraduate majors at Princeton, or any other respectable Bachelors degree granting institution. Those are concentrations reserved for graduate school after getting a Bachelors degree.

There are hundreds of reputable bachelor degree granting institutions that have undergraduate business majors...

Maybe these aren't good or respectable enough for you, but here's a few:

USC
University of Virginia (though its called a B.S. in Commerce)
UC Berkeley
Notre Dame
University of Michigan
MIT (B.S. in Management Science)
New York University
Boston College
William and Mary


I'm fairly certain your intent is to dissuade the OP from getting an undergraduate business degree, but if you're going to do that, try to do it without spreading outright lies about respectable institutions not granting undergraduate business degrees; some of the best schools in the nation grant undergrad business degrees.

 

[thegoldenmackid]

Yes it is out of 2400 but I believe the real SAT has a essay on it which the PSAT did not have.

Given that you need to have something that starts with a "2" to be a National Merit scholar in the Top 48 states, that's not particularly stellar. The SAT is a lot different though, but I imagine a 1660 isn't close to Princeton.

1660? Out of 2400? I don't know how the PSAT works.

It works on a scale of 240, but you get the idea.

Yes. Standard classes max out at 4.0, which is why AP/IB/GT students can't theoretically get a perfect 5.0, because there are required "regular" classes where a 100 will result in a 4.0.

It depends on every school and what not. (nearly) Every college looks at inflated versus uninflated to try to weigh the two.

I will be in only 1 AP class next year so Im not sure how this will affect me because I dont think my school goes up to 5.0.

That's a start, but it's been said before, this may not float for Princeton.

If you want to go to an Ivy League, I hope you have a lot more going for you than just GPA. You need to be doing an excessive amount of extra-curriculars and volunteer work.

Agreed. The kids at my HS who are in the Ivy's had resumes that were seven pages long, to start.

I know that they shouldnt be searching for me but local oppurtunities do arrive and they ask the school to spread the info that the oppurtunity is their and my school turns them away. I have asked my counseler for information but she isnt any help and my mom emails and calls here put she always finds away around the question.

There are always people accepting free labor. I bet your town (or one relatively close) has a soup kitchen, retirement home, museum or hospital.

Sorry buddy, but if you're already a Junior and have to ask what it takes, I don't think you'll meet their criteria - at least without being in a position to have some strings pulled from the inside.

That is some unfortunate truth.

Princeton is actually the perfect school for what I want to do major in business with a minor in law. Rutgers is also great for my plan.

Is it? And what is that minor? There is no "bad" school, just bad fits. Have you visited? What's the social environment like? Class size?

Folks on this forum are intelligent - coming here for advice is a great idea! Unfortunately, I've gotta side with what most others are saying. College isn't about where you go - it's about what you do while in college. Major first, location second.

That is some great advice. Well done.

You really need to do some more research about what you want to major in.

And at this point I'll stop agreeing with others.

As someone that just did this not too long ago.
1. Everyone has strings, especially at the Ivys. Some schools it matters, others it doesn't. Expect that every other person that is applying has some strings that they will get pulled too. Ivys have this funny thing of being a family-run operation to a large extent. I don't have enough fingers (or toes) to count the diplomas my family (grandparents/aunts/uncles/cousins/etc) has gotten from an Ivy, I imagine that is the case for many.
2. There are so many factors to consider, don't get caught up in the name. The key is not getting into the most prestigious, rather getting what works for you. Plenty of these factors have been mentioned.
3. Think about what you want to do, not what you want hanging on your wall in ten years. Believe me, few people would describe their dream as spending four years at Princeton. Sure, the experience will be extremely beneficial to many and a chance few get - but the amount of work required is not something I imagine most look forward to.
4. Finally, meet some people there (and alumni) Figure out what it would be like to be there. At any college, but particularly an Ivy, there is a culture (or a couple of cultures) and it's not for everyone.

I got into a school with a GPA that was significantly lower then the middle 50 percent. Why? I had SAT scores that were good, I had a good essay, handled the application well and my extra-curriculars. 500 hours of community service combined with two internships and a couple of activities that were regarded as being very good for college. Talk to the admissions reps, they will advise you on what's best not only for their school, but they can also help you with other schools or larger questions (majors, preferences.) No educator wishes to see a student fail.

Also, if you are going to grad school, remember in terms of what's on your wall - it's the last one that means anything.

 

[puma1552]

Also with respect to the minor in "law", should they offer something of the sort--don't waste your time with it.

Minors by and large get you nowhere, so either double major in it (again if they really offer something like this...?) or don't bother and focus getting a double major in something else that would be directly beneficial, finance/econ/some other aspect of business.

 

[fivetoadsloth]

Agreed. The kids at my HS who are in the Ivy's had resumes that were seven pages long, to start.

Thegoldenmackid gave you great advice, I would like to add a caveat though. College admissions officers see right through resume building, and definitely never join a club since you think it will 'look good.' Also, to suddenly join 20 clubs as a senior looks awfully odd, and ultimately will get you no leverage getting into college. It is fairly obvious what your intentions were in joining these clubs. As far as resumes, your resume is more or less built by now. A few things you can still try to do would be to get a summer job/internship or do some form of volunteer work, but as you are about to be a senior continue with what you were already doing and enjoyed, maybe try a few new things, and package yourself as best you can.

Good luck!

 

[chstr]

There are hundreds of reputable bachelor degree granting institutions that have undergraduate business majors...

Maybe these aren't good or respectable enough for you, but here's a few:

USC
University of Virginia (though its called a B.S. in Commerce)
UC Berkeley
Notre Dame
University of Michigan
MIT (B.S. in Management Science)
New York University
Boston College
William and Mary


I'm fairly certain your intent is to dissuade the OP from getting an undergraduate business degree, but if you're going to do that, try to do it without spreading outright lies about respectable institutions not granting undergraduate business degrees; some of the best schools in the nation grant undergrad business degrees.

to be clear... the bachelor of business administration is offered by the professional school at the university, which is the same school one attends to get an mba. I'm not saying these aren't good programs. They just aren't usually recommended for undergraduate study. I will admit though that I am less informed about the business degree than I am about Law or the Humanities.