Tips for getting into Princeton University. NJ?

Question

I really REALLY want to get accepted into Princeton Univ. Right now I'm a junior and i have A- and B averages. For sure, I'm going to step up my game in academics for the last 2 years in high school. I'm also on both the basketball and track team and try to participate in after school activities. Honestly, I never volunteered before only because I never got the opportunity to. What else can I do? This is really important to me, so help!?

Answer 1

The GPA of the average high school student who got into Princeton was a 3.9.  Keep in mind that this is an average and that just having a 3.9 will not garner you an acceptance.  To be honest, your decent but not stellar grades will probably bar you from Princeton, even if you get straight A's for the next two years.  I have had several friends and relatives apply who got straight A's in every one of their classes, all honors and A.P. classes and some pretty solid to impressive S.A.T. scores, a ton of extracurriculars (including one who was a track and field star who placed in state and another who was an award winning artist) and not get into Princeton.  

The only way you'd get into Princeton at this point is if in addition to scoring straight A's for the next two years and getting a perfect SAT score, you do something extraordinary (e.g. start a non-profit that raises millions of dollars for a worthy cause, win two academy awards), this is assuming of course that you are not a legacy whose ancestors have donated oodles of money to Princeton.  If they have, getting straight A's for the next two years and getting a very good SAT score will probably be enough.

To be honest, regular school activities, extracurriculars and volunteering are not enough.  Every student who applies to Princeton has outstanding activities, grades, SAT scores and volunteer work experience.  At this point you have no chance of getting into Princeton.

Answer 2

Sorry, but it's too late. Princeton and the ivies are not about kids who stepped it up junior year. Most kids get rejected with near perfect grades from the beginning and near perfect SATs. Having an A-/B average for 2 years takes you out of the game. And unfortunately, Princeton does not take transfers but there's always grad school.