Applying to Princeton: 5 Things You Need to Know

Why Princeton’s Charm Is Hard To Beat

Princeton has a special vibe that’s tough to beat. Maybe only Yale comes close to it in charm. Princeton is a prestigious Ivy League powerhouse, but there’s a certain charm that sets it apart from other top-tier schools. Unlike many research universities where graduate students steal the spotlight, Princeton gives its undergraduates the full attention of world-class professors. It’s a place where small classes, close faculty relationships, and big ideas all come together in one beautiful package.

Applying to Princeton University

If you’re thinking of applying to Princeton, be sure to prepare an English or history paper you’ve written and received an “A” grade on in advance. Princeton’s application is unique in the sense that they require a written paper with teacher notes that you’ve submitted in class. Princeton admissions wants a true test of your in-class writing to compare to the writing you’ve submitted.

Princeton offers students two application options: Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) and Regular Decision (RD). Single-Choice Early Action is not binding but you do get to find out whether you are accepted much earlier with this option.

For the 2024-2025 application cycle, Princeton’s Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) deadline is November 1, with decisions released in mid-December. Princeton’s Regular Decision deadline is January 1, with decisions announced in late March or early April. Decisions are typically announced on the same day as other Ivy League schools on Ivy Day. Ivy Day usually comes in the last week of March or first week of April.

Both application rounds require the same components, including the Common Application or Coalition Application, Princeton’s unique supplemental essays, letters of recommendation, and optional standardized test scores. It’s important to note that while the application deadlines are November 1 (SCEA) and January 1 (RD), any optional arts supplements are due slightly later, on November 6 and January 8, respectively.

Princeton’s More Than Just Ivy League Tradition

For all its high status, Princeton is also working hard to shake its old-school, elitist image. Once known for being a bit exclusive, it now boasts a pretty diverse student body. They’re actively seeking students with a passion for learning, from STEM enthusiasts to creative thinkers to those from underrepresented backgrounds. Plus, Princeton’s not just about the Ivy League tradition—there’s major investment in fields like science, engineering, and the arts, and tons of support for first-generation and low-income students.

Princeton’s Old-School Ivy Charm & Modern Architecture

When it comes to looks, Princeton’s campus is the ultimate blend of old-school Ivy charm and modern architecture. Gothic buildings like the stunning university chapel and Nassau Hall (which even housed the Continental Congress in 1783!) stand tall against more contemporary creations by famous architects like Frank Gehry and I.M. Pei. There’s even a man-made lake, funded by Andrew Carnegie, where you’ll spot Princetonians perfecting their crew technique. And if you venture off-campus, you’re just a stroll from the quaint shops and restaurants lining Nassau Street.

Why The Liberal Arts Are Important to Princeton

As a university, Princeton takes the liberal arts approach seriously. The core curriculum covers everything from ethics and history to science and social analysis, and every student has to write a senior thesis. It’s not just about the big picture, though; students have lots of chances for hands-on, independent learning. Princeton professors truly care about students and small class sizes means that students are truly able to form bonds with and get to know their professors. In fact, Princeton professors are known for making time for students—whether that’s chatting about their latest article or guiding them through the process of writing a 30-page paper.

Princeton Is Not All Books & Research

Even though Princeton is known for its arts and sciences, it’s not all books and research. The school offers strong programs in fields like economics, molecular biology, and engineering (hello, aerospace), and its public policy school is legendary. Princeton’s commitment to global learning is also huge, with more than half of students studying abroad, and the special Novogratz Bridge Year program that covers the cost of a service year in countries like Bolivia, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, China, and Senegal.

Why Princeton Is Both Challenging and Rewarding

The work is tough, but students appreciate the cooperative spirit that comes with it. Many straight A students come to Princeton and receive a rude awakening when they earn straight B’s the first semester. Many classes are so challenging that students know they need each other as support and sounding boards. For this reason, Princeton students are super motivated but not cutthroat.The semester system is built for success, with a two-week reading period before finals, and the school’s honor code means that most exams are unproctored. It’s a big deal that students get so much trust—they’re expected to take ownership of their academic experience.

Princeton Campus Life & Princeton Town

Campus life, however, can feel a little like a small town. With just over 5,000 undergraduates, everyone knows each other, and that can create some tight-knit (and sometimes exclusive) social circles. Princeton’s famous eating clubs are part of that culture—members only, with annual dues that can run over $10,000 for the most prestigious ones. But for those who don’t want to join the eating club or scene, there are plenty of alternative social options, including dorm parties and a ton of campus events like the annual Communiversity arts festival and spring lawn parties. The small town of Princeton is teeming with life, too. From the annual Christmas tree lighting to long lines waiting for ice cream at the Bent Spoon, Halo Pub, or Thomas Sweet ice cream shops to kayaking on the D&R Canal or Carnegie Lake, Princeton students have opportunities to enjoy their student lives in this small town situated equidistantly from New York and Philadelphia. Princeton is located in the pharmaceutical corridor of New Jersey and the surrounding community is as diverse as the university itself.

Princeton Tigers & Princeton Sports Culture

Sports are a big deal here, too. The Tigers have 38 Division I teams, with recent titles in football, soccer, water polo, and basketball. If you’re not into varsity sports, there’s plenty of intramural and club sports to choose from, including rugby, ballroom dancing, and wallyball (yes, wallyball). And every fall, freshmen and sophomores compete in Cane Spree, an epic intramural Olympics that dates back to 1869.

Princeton’s Commitment to Service

One of the coolest things about Princeton is its commitment to service—its unofficial motto is “Princeton in the nation’s service and the service of humanity.” Whether through volunteer work or academic projects, there’s a sense that everyone here is working towards something bigger than themselves. Of course, it’s easy to get caught up in the campus’s elite atmosphere, but there’s no denying that Princeton is a place that pushes you to grow, learn, and engage with the world in a meaningful way.

So, if you’re ready for a challenge, a tight-knit community, and a chance to be part of something truly special, Princeton might just be the place for you. Just make sure you’re prepared to work hard and keep up with all the fast-paced, high-level learning that happens here.

Princeton’s Admissions Process & Getting Into Princeton

Princeton’s admissions process is holistic, taking into account various factors beyond just GPA:

Academic performance: Princeton looks at the rigor of high school coursework, class rank, GPA, and standardized test scores together. SAT or ACT scores are considered, though Princeton has adopted a test-optional policy until the fall 2025 application cycle.
Essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and personal qualities are all rated as “very important” in the admissions process.
Interviews are offered and considered.
While Princeton doesn’t have a minimum GPA requirement, competitive applicants typically have very high GPAs and most often exceptional leadership and achievements. About 94% of accepted students in recent years had a GPA of 3.7 or higher. The university values academic excellence, intellectual curiosity, and a student’s potential to contribute to the campus community

Princeton University Essay Supplements

Princeton University requires applicants to submit several supplemental essays as part of their application. For the 2024-2025 admissions cycle, Princeton asks for two longer essays and three short-answer responses. The first essay, with a 500-word limit, asks students to reflect on their lived experiences and how they will contribute to campus conversations. The second essay, limited to 250 words, focuses on the applicant’s connection to Princeton’s commitment to service and civic engagement. Additionally, Princeton requires three short-answer responses of 50 words each, asking about a new skill the applicant wants to learn in college, what brings them joy, and a song that represents their life’s soundtrack.

Applicants must also submit a graded written paper from an academic course, preferably 1-2 pages long, to showcase their writing ability. Generally, this paper should reflect the same level of writing as the Common App Essay and the Supplemental Essay responses. Princeton is looking to match the writer of the school essay against the writer of the application essays. The paper serves as an authenticity check. These essays collectively provide Princeton’s admissions office with a sense of how the students writing in school compares with the writing in the application.

Depending on which school you choose to apply to, you will be asked to answer specific questions.

Essay Prompt 1 is specific for students applying within the arts and sciences for the A.B. degree.

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)*

Essay Prompt 2is specific for students applying within Princeton’s Engineering to earn the B.S.E. degree: Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer)*

Essay Prompt 3 is specific for students applying “Undecided”.

Your Voice

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (500 words or fewer)*

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (250 words or fewer)*

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