"Inside Princeton: Navigating Admissions, Requirements, and Campus Life"

 

ADMISSION AND ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA

The eight prestigious Ivy League institutions have collectively established admission policies outlined in the Joint Statement for Candidates on Common Ivy Admission Procedure. Formed in 1954 to promote amateurism in athletics, the Ivy League comprises elite higher education institutions. While these institutions share similarities, each independently determines its admission decisions based on its specific policies.

Recognizing the complexity of transitioning from secondary education to higher learning, the Ivy League has streamlined the process by adopting more uniform admission procedures. Here's a breakdown of the procedures currently in place:

Timing of Decisions:

Ivy League institutions send admission decision letters twice a year, typically in mid-December and late March. To receive a decision in December, applications must be submitted by early to mid-November. Early Decision and Early Action applications are subject to specific guidelines, allowing for early notification or deferral until the regular notification date in March.

Early Decision: Applicants commit to matriculating if accepted, with financial aid details usually provided concurrently with admission decisions.

Early Action: Applicants are not required to commit to matriculation and can apply to other colleges under regular admission programs.

Regular decision notifications are typically sent out in late March, with a common reply date of May 1 for accepting or declining admission offers.

Early Evaluation:

Institutions may provide certain applicants with early feedback on their admission probability, typically no earlier than October 1 of their senior year in high school. These "likely letters" serve as informal offers of admission, contingent upon maintaining academic and personal standards.

Likely Letters to Student-Athletes: Recruits may receive probabilistic communications from admissions offices between October 1 and March 15.

Preliminary feedback is also provided to coaches after the junior year in high school, allowing for informed decisions on potential athletic opportunities.

Financial Aid Policies:

All Ivy League institutions adhere to a common policy that financial aid for student-athletes is solely based on economic need, without consideration of athletic ability. Financial aid awards are determined by each institution's standard of economic need, with official awards granted after admission.

Only the Office of Financial Aid has the authority to award financial aid, and applicants should rely solely on formal communications from these offices. Offers of financial aid from sources other than the institution should be reported immediately.

The application becomes available in mid-August, with decision notifications typically sent out in late March, and candidates are required to respond by May 1.

COURSES

The curriculum pf Princeton encourages students to explore a wide array of disciplines while also fostering a deep understanding in their chosen area of focus. At Princeton University, students apply to the university as a whole, rather than to specific departments, programs, or schools. Once admitted, students have the option to pursue either a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.). Within these degree programs, students can select from 37 concentrations, including computer science, which offers both A.B. and B.S.E. options, as well as over 50 minors and interdepartmental certificate programs. The A.B. degree program includes concentrations such as Public Policy (offered through the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs) and the School of Architecture.

Some of the courses include:

Anthropology

Architecture

Art & Archaeology

Astrophysical Sciences

Chemical and Biological Engineering

Chemistry

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Classics

Comparative Literature

Computer Science

Computer Science

East Asian Studies

Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

Economics

Electrical and Computer Engineering

English

French and Italian

Geosciences

German

History

Mathematics

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering

Molecular Biology

Music

Near Eastern Studies

Neuroscience

Operations Research and Financial Engineering

Philosophy

Physics

Politics

Psychology

Public Policy (Princeton School of Public and International Affairs)

Religion

Slavic Languages and Literatures

Sociology

Spanish and Portuguese

BEYOND ACADEMICS

The array of over 500 student organizations at Princeton University is entirely student-driven, with backing from the institution. These groups span a wide spectrum of interests, ranging from music and dance to politics and debate, and from service projects to cultural and educational pursuits. If you're unable to locate a specific group that matches your interests, you're encouraged to contemplate initiating your own.

Princeton University offers you the chance to actively participate in molding your undergraduate journey while also enriching the experiences of your fellow students. Seize this opportunity to refine your leadership abilities, gain insight into yourself and your peers, and expand your perspectives.

The Programs Office at Frist Campus Center collaborates closely with student organizations and the Princeton Student Events Committee (PSEC) to curate a diverse array of events for the University community, primarily centered around Frist Campus Center and Campus Club.

PSEC, an integral part of the Frist Programs Office, operates as a student-run program board responsible for orchestrating a wide range of social and community-building events for the entire campus to enjoy. These programs are designed to foster inclusivity, collaboration, wellness, and appreciation for the diverse talents within the Princeton University community.

Students are encouraged to participate in PSEC either as volunteers or through paid employment opportunities. Additionally, the Princeton Student Agencies (PSA) program offers a hands-on educational experience aimed at developing students' leadership and business skills. This program, one of the oldest and largest of its kind in the country, provides employment opportunities to over 250 students across various student-run businesses, offering products and services to the University community.

Within PSA, each agency is led by a student director and associate director who oversee the business operations. Through their involvement, students gain practical experience in essential business skills such as marketing, accounting, sales, customer relations, and more. Moreover, undergraduates have the opportunity to initiate their own student agencies by submitting business proposals to the PSA Office, thereby fostering entrepreneurial spirit and innovation.

Princeton University's Outdoor Action Program (OA), administered by the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, is dedicated to outdoor adventure and leadership development. OA provides opportunities for personal growth and leadership through various outdoor activities conducted in small groups led by experienced student trip leaders. Participants engage in single and multi-day excursions, challenging themselves in a supportive group environment, and expanding their boundaries beyond previous limits.

The Tigers Leading Tigers initiative, initiated in September 2022, is a program aimed at fostering leadership skills among students, preparing them to become effective leaders both within Princeton University and beyond. This program, developed based on campus dynamics and student input, draws on expertise from various sources, both nationally and within the Princeton community itself. Covering a wide range of topics such as socioeconomic equality and organizing sustainable events, the program offers workshops and sessions catering to every aspect of student leadership.

While the Tigers Leading Tigers program primarily targets current and aspiring leaders of student-led activities, all Princeton University students are welcome to participate in any of the program's offerings. Upon completion of the workshops, participants will receive competencies recognized on the MyPrincetonU platform. These competencies can also be highlighted on resumes, CVs, and LinkedIn profiles, enhancing students' professional profiles.

"Creating Inclusive Spaces for Trans and Nonbinary Students"

Led by peer educators and the GSRC's assistant director, this session delves into the essential components of an inclusive student organization for trans and nonbinary individuals. Participants will gain insights into fostering supportive environments and will be awarded a competency upon completion.

"Sustainability in Group Practices"

Student organizations at Princeton organize over 2,000 events annually, often involving the distribution of food and materials. In this hour-long workshop, we explore the environmental footprint of such practices and offer guidance on integrating sustainability considerations into event planning and other organizational activities.

"Princeton Distress Awareness and Response (PDAR)"

Led by Dr. Calvin Chin, Director of Counseling and Psychological Services at Princeton University, PDAR is an interactive session designed to raise awareness and equip participants with skills to effectively respond to distressing situations within the university community.

"Maximizing Social Media Impact"

Social media plays a pivotal role in college communication. Hosted by Princeton University's social media team, this session equips student organizations with a toolkit for harnessing the power of social media as an effective communication platform.

Eating clubs

Prospect Avenue at Princeton University is home to 11 distinctive eating clubs, each with its own identity and traditions. These clubs, unique to Princeton, operate independently under the oversight of alumni boards. Throughout the academic year, they provide meals including breakfast, lunch, and dinner while classes are in session.

Membership criteria for these clubs vary. Five of them utilize an open lottery system known as "sign-in," while the remaining six employ a more selective process called "bicker." This diversity in membership procedures means that each club has its own set of costs and rules. However, despite these differences, the clubs work together to ensure that their membership is inclusive, allowing Princeton students from across campus to partake in the unique experiences they offer.

Gratitude Gala                                                                                                                                 

The bond formed between professors and students in their collaborative quest for academic discovery is a defining feature of the undergraduate journey at Princeton University. Recognizing the profound impact of faculty mentorship in nurturing independent research endeavors, the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students collaborates with the senior class to organize the Gratitude Gala annually in late April.