Admissions

No set formula will get you in, though there are a number that will keep you out. Your SAT's don't have to be perfect, but ideally they will be above 30. You don't have to have straight A's, but if you go to a second rate public school like I did...you kind of do. On the other hand, if you submit an application, your chances of admission go up infinitely; and if you get accepted here, there is absolutely no reason not to matriculate. Princeton is hands down the most undergraduate-focused of the big three Ivies, and that certainly played a large role in my decision-making process, as it should in yours.

Be prepared to work harder than you ever imagined, but also to have a true life-changing experience. My biggest piece of advice is to explore all of your options when you get to campus. Both in academics and extracurriculars, try things you haven't done before and don't feel too obligated to make binding decisions early on. The Princeton community is all about having new experiences and lots of them, so take advantage of that!

Don't let your senioritis carry over...mine did. Also I was never the grade grubbing type in high school - it was rigorous but I was smart enough to excel without caring too mucha bout my grades - but that is hurting me now.

My Dad (who went to Princeton and does interviews for them) says to know what you want to say during the interview. DON'T complain about how much homework you have, because you will have so much more homework there than you do in High School. When the interviewer contacts you, be prompt about getting back to them, he has had so many people that contacted him back after the information from the interview was due.

Make sure you have an answer to the question beforehand: Why do you want to go to Princeton?
It's very important and many students can't even answer it for him!

No one knows the secrets to getting into a school like this. The best advice I have is to pursue things that you are really passionate about. These are the most valuable experiences both from and resume standpoint and for you to grow as a person.

-Keep an eye out for the people who aren't taking Princeton for granted - they're the people you're going to want to be friends with.
-Don't be afraid to try new things and join new groups - at the very least, you'll get to sample lots of different kinds of free foods.
-You were probably pretty outstanding in high school and that's going to be stripped away and you're going to feel humbled and it's going to be hard. Stay in touch with people back home to keep you grounded and don't let yourself get insecure - you're here for a reason.

Know why you want to come; because it's Princeton is not a good enough reason. It won't convince admissions officers (they know it's Princeton) and it won't prepare you for your experience here. You should have some feel for the work load, the expectations, and the culture before you enroll. If you don't, you'll probably end up loving it anyway, but you will have a VERY difficult first semester.

Service, SAT, leadership, excellence in an area of interest and leading a life of character.

There are no transfers, so work hard and try again for graduate school if you are rejected for Princeton's undergraduate program.