I applied to Princeton in 1965 and graduated in 1969. At the time I applied, I had one teacher who had gone to Princeton and who I asked to write a letter of support.
I remember agonizing over the essay that I prepared as a part of the application. I had no help from my parents or any instructors, so the essay reasonably reflected my writing ability and the subject of what I thought Princeton would want to learn about.
I was a legacy admit, following my grandfather, Class of 1914, and father, Class of 1940. I also knew that I wanted to study civil engineering at Princeton. I emphasized both qualities in my application.
A part of my application was my interest in continuing in my sport, and I initiated contacting the wrestling coaches at the three schools that I applied to, Lehigh, Cornell, and Princeton, rather than submit applications to a myriad of schools hoping to get in to at least one of them. Fortunately, I had a choice of the three schools and I’m happy that I chose Princeton.
I might add that I think being a legacy admit served Princeton and me well in continuing my substantial interest in Princeton since my undergraduate days, including serving as reunion chairman for this year (55th), grad board of TI, schools committee, board member and chairman of the friends of Princeton wrestling, and ’69 PICS.
In Response to: The Alumni Interview Endures