Shanghai American School

From the baseball field to composing songs, Puxi Senior Matt Cline has been keeping busy at Shanghai American School. And come next fall, Matt is jetting off to Princeton University where he’s looking forward to not only continuing studying music, but the wide range of classes Princeton offers as well.
 

Can you tell us about where you’ll be headed to in the fall?

I'm really excited that I'm going to join Princeton University's class of 2027. It's been a really long process getting there. Princeton was my top choice. It's a school that's a great fit for me in many ways. I think it will be an easy transition for me going from SAS and this wonderful community we have, to Princeton which is an environment where I’ll be surrounded with leaders that will continually push me to become better. I'm also glad that Princeton has one of the smaller student bodies compared to some of the other Ivy Leagues because I feel like that will contribute to a more tight-knit community and focus on undergraduate learning.

What are you looking forward to most about attending Princeton?

I would say I'm looking forward to being in a new environment. I'm also just excited about the wonderful course options. I was looking at the course catalog the other day, and I saw there were around 60 History courses available to undergraduate students. That's just amazing to me. And on top of that, there's the wonderful music faculty.

Can you tell us about the moment that you found out that you were accepted into Princeton?

It was kind of bad timing because I heard that Princeton’s decisions were going to come out at the exact start time of my calculus AP semester exam. But after that test was done - and thankfully I did well - I rushed over to the library and opened my computer with my parents on a call. I found out I was accepted, and I reacted with my parents, and right after I went to celebrate with my friends because really, it would not have been possible without my friends’ support. All the wonderful collaborators I've had during my time at SAS - dancers, singers, filmmakers - that have helped me as a musician and as a performing artist make some great things.

What are you going to miss about SAS?

The community. Also, SAS has given me lots of opportunities, like the chance to play baseball. I'm really gonna miss baseball, it's been such a huge part of my high school life. And I owe a lot to my baseball coaches because they helped me develop a lot of values.Baseball taught me failure, humility and as many other wonderful things.

Best of luck next year, Matt! Princeton is incredibly lucky to have you.

To hear more of Matt's story, have a listen here: