Any advice on getting into Princeton?

Hey everyone! So, Princeton has always been my dream school, and I'm getting ready to start the application process. Does anyone have any tips or advice on what I should focus on or what it takes to get accepted into Princeton? Would appreciate any guidance!

Hello! It's exciting to hear that you have your sights set on Princeton. Here's some advice to help you put together the strongest application possible:

1. Academics: Princeton, like other Ivy League institutions, places significant emphasis on strong academic performance. You'll want to earn high grades in rigorous courses (AP, IB, or Honors classes), and ideally take a mix of subjects to showcase your depth and versatility. While Princeton is officially test-optional, at such a competitive school, you want to showcase your strengths in as many ways as possible, which means it will likely be worth your while to invest time and energy into aiming for a high SAT or ACT score. You can read more about how to navigate test-optional policies on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/.

2. Spike: Keep in mind that top colleges like Princeton value applicants with a highly developed specialty, or a "spike." Rather than being well-rounded, a student with a spike has proven skills and accomplishments in a particular field. Spend time cultivating your interests, diving deep into your chosen area, and achieving recognition through awards, research, or other major accomplishments. Doing so will help set you apart from even other talented applicants.

3. Extracurriculars: Princeton values applicants with meaningful extracurricular involvement. Aim for a combination of Tier 1 to Tier 3 involvements (you can read more about extracurricular tiers on CollegeVine's blog: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities), and showcase your leadership, passion, and dedication to your chosen activities. Quality is more important than quantity, so focus on the impact of your contributions and how they relate to your spike.

4. Essays: Your personal statement and Princeton-specific supplemental essays are great opportunities to share your unique story and showcase your character. Avoid cliché topics and dig deep into your personal experiences to craft an authentic narrative. For the Princeton-specific prompts, do thorough research on the school's values and programs, then thoughtfully connect your interests and experiences to what the university offers. CollegeVine's blog contains guidance on how to tackle both the main Common App essay (https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/) and Princeton's school-specific supplements (https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-princeton-university-essays).

5. Recommendations: Requesting strong letters of recommendation is crucial. Choose teachers or mentors who know you well and can speak to your strengths, growth, and potential in a compelling way.

Finally, consider applying through the Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) process, which can boost your chances of being accepted compared to applying during the Regular Decision round, since applying early demonstrates genuine excitement about the school.

Best of luck with your application to Princeton!