I know 2 people that got into Princeton. They both had 3.8-4.0 GPA (4.0 scale) and had a SAT score of 2000-2100! In addition, one was varsity swimming and the other participated in A LOT of afterschool clubs and was in a tutoring program for people who needed help.
They got in because it was evident they showed hard work, while balancing sports and such.
An online user on this forum, believe it or not, went and still going to Princeton. How did he get in? Well I know he's very smart.
In fact he's the smartest person I've ever known. He's a genius! I call him: Mr. Encyclopedia.
So, he must've scored very high on his tests and did very well on his interviews.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.