Princeton University Princeton

It is more than just a university; it is a symbol of the never-ending quest for knowledge, a legacy, and a haven of brains.

🏛️ A Glimpse into Princeton’s Legacy

In 1896, it was officially renamed Princeton University, reflecting its expanded academic offerings. Today, it boasts a sprawling 600-acre campus adorned with Collegiate Gothic architecture, housing over 200 buildings.

🏆 Notable Alumni

Princeton’s halls have been graced by luminaries such as U.S. Presidents Woodrow Wilson and James Madison, Nobel laureates like John Nash and Richard Feynman, and cultural icons including Michelle Obama and Jeff Bezos.

📰 Recent Highlights

• Speech by Jerome Powell during the Baccalaureate Ceremony: At Princeton’s 2025 Baccalaureate service, Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell gave a moving speech in which he urged graduates to uphold public service and democratic values.

• Reunions 2025: In keeping with Princeton’s enduring spirit, alumni came together to rekindle their relationship and commemorate their common experiences. Princeton University Princeton
• Teaching Excellence: In recognition of their exceptional contributions to undergraduate education, Professors Andrea Graham and Shilo Brooks received Phi Beta Kappa teaching awards.

🏛️ Princeton University: A Snapshot

• Location: Princeton, New Jersey

• Campus: A 600-acre Gothic wonderland with over 200 buildings

• Undergraduate Enrollment: Approximately 5,400

• Graduate Enrollment: Approximately 2,600

• Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 5:1

• Mascot: The Tiger

• Motto: “Under God’s power she flourishes”

📚 Academics: Where Rigor Meets Freedom

Princeton offers two primary degrees:

• A.B. (Bachelor of Arts): For those diving into the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.): For the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and innovators.

With 37 concentrations and over 50 minors, students have the freedom to explore and specialize. Notably, computer science offers both A.B. and B.S.E. tracks.

🧑‍🎓 Student Life: More Than Just Books

Princeton isn’t all about the grind. Here’s what else it offers:

• Residential Colleges: Approximately 96% of undergraduates live on campus, fostering tight-knit communities .

• Eating Clubs: These private, coed clubs are central to social life, offering dining, study spaces, and social events. Princeton University Princeton

• Extracurriculars: With over 500 student organizations, 38 sports clubs, and numerous cultural groups, there’s something for everyone .

  🌍 Admissions: The Gatekeepers

  It’s not easy getting into Princeton:

  • Acceptance Rate: Approximately 4%

  • Early Admission Rate: Around 10%

  • GPA: Most admitted students have a GPA between 3.8 and 4.0 .

  Princeton uses a comprehensive admissions process that takes into account extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations in addition to academic performance.

  🏆 Prestige and Recognition

  Consistently ranked among the top universities globally, Princeton is renowned for its rigorous academics, distinguished faculty, and influential alumni. Princeton University Princeton

• 📰 Recent Highlights

  • Baccalaureate Address by Jerome Powell: Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell delivered a poignant speech at Princeton’s 2025 Baccalaureate service, urging graduates to uphold democratic values and public service .

  • Reunions 2025: Princeton alumni gathered to reconnect and celebrate their shared experiences, embodying the university’s enduring spirit .

    • A.B. (Bachelor of Arts): For those diving into the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences.

    • Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.): For the next generation of tech entrepreneurs and innovators.

      Teaching Excellence: Professors Andrea Graham and Shilo Brooks were honored with Phi Beta Kappa teaching awards, recognizing their outstanding contributions to undergraduate education .

      🏛️ A Storied Legacy

      Princeton was chartered in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, making it the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.

      🎓 Academic Excellence

      Princeton offers two primary degrees:

  • 🌍 Campus Life & Culture

    Princeton isn’t just about academics; it’s a vibrant community:

    • Residential colleges create close-knit communities because 96% of undergraduates live on campus.

    • Student Organizations: With over 500 student organizations, there’s something for everyone.

    • Athletics: The majority of undergraduate students participate in some capacity in the 37 varsity sports that Princeton offers for both men and women.

      🌟 Notable Alumni

      Princeton’s alumni have made significant contributions across various fields:Wikipedia

      • U.S. Presidents: James Madison and Woodrow Wilson.

      • Nobel Laureates: John Nash and Richard Feynman.

      • Tech Innovators: Jeff Bezos and Eric Schmidt.

      • Cultural Icons: Michelle Obama and Jimmy Stewart.

        🌱 Sustainability Initiatives

        Princeton is committed to sustainability:

        • Sustainability Action Plan: Aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2046.

        • Divestment: Princeton has divested from thermal coal and tar sands segments of the fossil fuel industry.

        • Recycling Programs: The university promotes zero waste through comprehensive recycling initiatives.

          🗓️ Application Deadlines

          • Single-Choice Early Action: Due November 1, with decisions released in mid-December. This nonbinding option prohibits applying early to other private U.S.

            📝 Application Components

            To apply, submit:

            • Coalition Application or Common 

            • Princeton-Specific Questions

            • Two Teacher Evaluations

            • School Report, Transcript, and Counselor Recommendation

            • Graded Written Paper

            • Standardized Test Scores (Optional)

            • TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic (if applicable)

            • Optional Arts Supplement (if applicable)

            • Princeton Financial Aid Application

              📚 Academic Preparation

              Princeton recommends a rigorous high school curriculum:

              • 4 years of English

              • 4 years of a Foreign Language

              • 2 years of Laboratory Science (including physics and chemistry for engineering aspirants)

              • 2 years of History.

              Additionally, most candidates have some study in the visual or performing arts. Princeton University Princeton

              🧪 Standardized Testing

              For first-year and transfer applicants applying in the fall of 2024 and 2025, Princeton has implemented a test-optional policy. This implies that applicants will not be at a disadvantage if they decide not to submit their SAT or ACT results, nor is it necessary to do so. Princeton’s SAT code is 2672, and the ACT code is 2588.

              💰 Financial Aid

              Princeton is committed to making education affordable:

              • 100% of demonstrated financial need is met with grants, not loans.

              • Families earning up to $100,000 annually pay no tuition, room, or board.

              • The average annual undergraduate aid package is $73,000.

              • 89% of recent seniors graduated with no debt.

              🌍 International Students

              Princeton welcomes students from around the globe. International applicants must demonstrate proficiency in English through TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic scores unless they have been educated in English for at least three years. Financial aid is available to international students on the same need-based terms as for U.S. students.

              📌 Additional Information

              • Interviews: Optional alumni interviews are available and can provide valuable insight into the Princeton experience.

              • Arts Supplement: If you have exceptional talent in the arts, you may submit an optional supplement. Early action applicants should submit by November 6, and regular decision applicants by Jan

 

• 🏡 Residential Colleges: Your Home Base

  At Princeton, the residential college isn’t just a place to crash; it’s where your journey begins. Butler, Forbes, Mathey, New College West, Rockefeller, Whitman, or Yeh are the seven residential colleges to which you will be allocated as a first-year student.These aren’t just dorms; they’re communities equipped with dining halls, common rooms, academic spaces, and arts resources. Upperclass students can choose to remain affiliated or move into upperclass dormitories, but the bonds formed here often last a lifetime. Princeton University Princeton

• 🎭 Arts & Culture: Express Yourself

  Princeton isn’t just about equations and essays; it’s a canvas for creativity. With over 500 student organizations, including 38 sports clubs and 17 chaplaincies, there’s no shortage of avenues to explore your passions. Whether you’re into swing dancing, theater, or music, you’ll find your tribe here.

• 🏀 Athletics: Play Hard, Play Smart

  Whether you’re donning the orange and black as a varsity athlete or joining an intramural league, Princeton’s athletic scene is buzzing. The Tigers compete in 37 men’s and women’s varsity sports, and most undergraduates participate in athletics at some level. From Cane Spree to Lawnparties, there’s always a game on or a match to catch. Princeton University Princeton

• 🌍  Promoting the Common Good: Influence Outside the Gates

  Princetonians aren’t just book-smart; they’re world-smart. The university supports a number of service initiatives that give staff, instructors, and students the chance to interact with the community at large. From promoting sustainability to hosting educational events, there’s a myriad of ways to make a difference.

• 🏘️ Living in Princeton, N.J.: The Town That Feels Like Home

  The town of Princeton has tree-lined lanes, specialized stores, and a welcoming environment beyond its ivy-covered walls.With easy access to New York City and Philadelphia via the “Dinky” train, students can enjoy the charm of a small town with the perks of big-city proximity.

• 🤝 Cultural & Affinity Groups: Find Your People

  Whether you’re a transfer student or someone seeking a community that resonates with your background, Princeton’s cultural and affinity groups provide a space to connect, celebrate, and grow. These groups enrich the campus tapestry, offering support and fostering inclusivity

• 👨‍👩‍👧 Families: You’re Part of the Journey Too

  At Princeton, families aren’t just onlookers; they’re part of the experience. From participating in campus activities to engaging in alumni programs worldwide, your family’s journey with Princeton is just beginning. Princeton University Princeton

• 🎓 Academic Structure: A Fusion of Tradition and Innovation

  Princeton offers two primary undergraduate degrees:

  • Bachelor of Arts (A.B.): A liberal arts degree encompassing a broad range of disciplines.

  • Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.): A specialized degree focusing on engineering and applied sciences.

  Students can select from 37 concentrations, more than 50 minors, and interdepartmental certificate programs within these frameworks, enabling a customized educational experience.

• 📚 Areas of Study: A Tapestry of Disciplines

  Princeton’s academic offerings span across:

  • Humanities: Explore the depths of human culture, history, and expression.

  • Natural Sciences: Delve into the fundamental principles governing the natural world.

  • In order to solve practical issues, engineers and applied scientists must innovate and use scientific principles.

  Each department is dedicated to fostering critical thinking, creativity, and interdisciplinary collaboration.

• 🧠 Graduate Programs: Advancing Knowledge

  Princeton’s Graduate School offers advanced degrees across four divisions: humanities, natural sciences, social sciences, and engineering.