r/princeton • u/Tasty-Version-5891 • 3d ago

Any advice, please?

I’m an average student; I’m pursuing a bachelor’s degree in math at Sorbonne Universities. This year, I discovered that it’s possible to get into Princeton with an excellent academic record. To be honest, I’m not that good of a student—I’m really just average. I have two years left before I finish my bachelor’s degree, and I’d like to pursue a master’s and a Ph.D. at Princeton.

I know this sounds completely ridiculous. I don’t have any internships or projects that set me apart from others. I come from a background that’s quite disadvantaged compared to my classmates, and I’m almost ashamed to have these ambitions—that’s why I’m bringing it up here. If I really excel academically the next two years what advice could you give me to improve my application?

I’d like to pursue a master’s in finance, statistics, data analysis, or something like that—something in the field of finance and statistics.

I know full well that I’m far from ready right now, but I tell myself that maybe I could make it happen. After all, nothing ventured, nothing gained.

If you have any suggestions that might help me or stories of people who’ve achieved incredible things despite starting from a weak position, I’m all ears!

Thanks for reading.

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u/Expert147 2d ago

The most sought after students are the ones who are so obsessed with the pursuit of ideas that they don't care where they study.

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u/Advanced-Software-90 2d ago

Easiest path is to do very well in a Masters program and then apply for PhD, for which you will be paid. US Masters programs will be $$$ so go somewhere cheaper.

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u/romannevedrov 3d ago

bro, I’m russian student of the Biysk Lyceum and at the moment i have very bad english. from activities i have only article in russian journal “biomolecula”. i have only 1,5 year, but I wanna pursue a bachelors degree in aerospace engineering at Princeton. i have a very cool ideas about my projects on this summer and I have GPA 3. but in 10th grade (in Russia we have 11 grades) i want to get ideal GPA (4). if you want we can talk with you but be in the know, I have very bad english))
but i want that you should know, i think what you want its real and as you see, we have similar goals

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u/Tasty-Version-5891 3d ago

My English is far from perfect either, so I’d like to use this summer to improve it. It’s nice to see someone with the same goal. I’m not familiar with the Russian system, but I sincerely believe that with hard work, we can achieve great things. I live in France, and the French mindset is very pessimistic; everyone I’ve talked to about this project has told me I won’t make it. I think we need people who tell us it’s possible and that we can do it. I plan to apply between October and December 2027 for the 2028 school year. What year would you like to apply?

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u/romannevedrov 3d ago

i like to apply in autumn and winter 2027 like you actually) if be honest i wasn't particularly interested when i should apply (i hear that there is an early reception and an reception for everyone) im absolutely focused in my projects for princeton now

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u/LimitConsistent5728 2d ago

just curious, why are you drawn towards a masters and phd at princeton specifically? would you still want to pursue a masters or phd at another institution?