Her Common App essay wasn’t about one memory or event—it was a value-driven piece centered around the pursuit of truth. “I connected every single thing I had basically ever done to that,” she said. That included her love of film photography, her independent research, and her broader intellectual worldview.

For one of Princeton’s supplements, she picked a prompt about tradition. “It complemented my Common App well… I clearly showed a very cohesive character, but was able to demonstrate even more of that in a different way.” It's important to view your application as a whole and use each essay topic as an opportunity to tell a different yet connected side of your story. Even her short answers were strategic in their own offbeat way—her favorite quote, for instance, came from The Death of Stalin: “When I said no problem, what I meant was no problem.” That mix of values, personality, and understated humor became her calling card.

Margaret didn’t try to game the process or project what she thought admissions officers wanted to hear. Instead, she leaned into what Princeton already believed.

When she was deferred during the early round, she wrote a letter of continued interest—reaffirming that alignment without spiraling into panic. “I expected to get denied,” she admitted. “And then I got in.” Many of the scholars we interview feel the same way, so don't count yourself out in applying to a school you really connect with. Her advice for future applicants: don’t get too attached to any single outcome.

According to Margaret, Princeton isn’t looking for a specific type of student—but they are looking for a specific kind of authenticity. “The beauty of Princeton is that everyone is—if not one of one—then one of very few,” she said. Some students are hyper-specialized. Others, like her, connect seemingly unrelated interests through a core set of values. What matters is that you show up with something only you can offer. “It doesn't feel like you're at a school with a bunch of carbon copies.” That insight shaped how she approached her application.

Princeton's community doesn't end with graduation either. Their annual reunion is a 3 day event with the second most beer consumption of any event in the US under the Indy 500. It's a great way to relive the fun of college, make connections with fellow alumni, and enjoy familiar faces.

Be values-driven. Everything tied back her pursuit of truth. That made her application feel cohesive without being formulaic. It fit with her intended major and Princeton's values, but because she was a genuinely good fit for the school. Do your research to identify what parts of the school resonate with your genuine interests and intentions. Don’t overthink the little stuff. Sometimes your short answers just need to be fun or honest. “Don’t try to be something you’re not.” Remember that admissions isn’t a ranking. “Just because you don’t get in somewhere—or you do—doesn’t mean you're the worst or the best. It's just an opportunity.”

Margaret Commander fits most squarely into the Researcher archetype. The Researcher is defined by deep, original academic inquiry and a demonstrated desire to ask complex questions—and Margaret didn’t wait for permission to do exactly that. Without access to formal programs, she created her own independent study in history the summer before senior year, writing a full research paper to explore international affairs on her own terms. This self-motivated project wasn’t just about building her résumé—it was a genuine expression of intellectual curiosity, the kind that research universities like Princeton look for when admitting students who will contribute meaningfully to faculty labs, institutes, or think tanks. Margaret also reflects traits of the Genuine Article—a student whose application reads as deeply personal, self-aware, and grounded in honesty. Her Common App essay didn’t follow a flashy narrative arc or center on a dramatic turning point. Instead, she wove together her interests through the unifying thread of “pursuit of truth,” tracing her character and values with quiet confidence and vulnerability. That combination, self-directed scholarship and unfiltered sincerity, made her both intellectually compelling and emotionally resonant on paper.