While many seniors are scrambling to finish their college applications, DBHS senior Jason Chen, two-time captain of the golf team, has already committed the next four years of his education to Princeton University.

He will be a member of Princeton’s golf team starting the fall of 2013.

During October, Chen received a letter from Princeton stating that his admission for the fall 2013 school year would be definite as long as he maintained his academic and personal standards. He will receive his formal acceptance letter on Dec. 18, the same day that admitted Early Action students receive their confirmation of acceptance.

In September, Chen formally visited Princeton University and stayed on campus for two nights with one of the golf team’s players.

He played a round of golf with the whole team and had the opportunity to see the team’s facilities. Chen was treated as if he were a Princeton student; he was introduced to the many activities on campus.

Many prestigious colleges contacted Chen during his sophomore year, recognizing his golf ability and grades. Chen served as captain both in his junior and senior years in his four years of playing on the DBHS Varsity Golf team. He was ranked as one of the top 100 junior golfers in the United States by the American Junior Golf Association, and this past summer, the schools started calling Chen.

“Golf is a game of life where every decision made and every thought process affects the outcome, but no matter the end result, golf teaches you to never give up and to never surrender,” Chen commented.

During junior year, Chen started visiting colleges and their golf teams. He cut his list of potential colleges into his top two: Columbia and Princeton.  Chen had the opportunity to visit these two schools on a “paid for visit by the colleges” status.

“The academic portion is very important to these schools. Without it, I knew I would have zero chances in getting the opportunity to go these schools. No matter what the obstacle, I knew that as long as I worked hard and dreamed high, I could be the best [I could be],” Chen said.

Chen later chose Princeton after comparing the positives and negatives of both schools. Three factors that weighed heavily in his final decision included the quality of the team, the coach, Will Green, and the school’s atmosphere.

“Because of my parents’ and friends’ support, I’ve had the opportunity to reach one of my goals, and that is to play golf for Princeton University,” Chen shared.