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The Ultimate Guide to Applying to Princeton

Princeton University, located in Princeton, NJ, is one of the world’s preeminent research universities, with an undergraduate acceptance rate of roughly 5.6% for the Class of 2024. The Princeton School of Public and International Affairs is particularly renowned.

If you’re hoping to get into Princeton, here’s everything you need to know to improve your chances of acceptance.

Note: for more up-to-date statistics, check out our Princeton entry in the new How to Get into   series. 

Average Stats of Accepted Princeton Students

Students accepted to the Princeton Class of 2024 had an average GPA of 3.91. If you are wondering what your GPA is and how it compares to the GPAs of accepted Princeton students, but don’t know how to calculate it, you can find it using our free GPA calculator !

On the SAT, the middle 50% of SAT scores on the math section fell between 740-800, and 710-800 on the reading and writing section. On the ACT, the middle 50% of ACT scores fell between 32-36 composite. Princeton does not report the high school class ranks of its accepted students.

Unfortunately, at a school as selective as Princeton, even perfect test scores do not guarantee you will be accepted. On the bright side, if your scores are in the above ranges, you will likely at least pass the initial round of screening, which means your essays, recs, and activities list should be read.

If your scores are below these ranges, however, your application may immediately be disqualified unless you are a recruited athlete, legacy applicant, or underrepresented minority. While this may seem unfair, Princeton receives over 30,000 applications per year, and the Academic Index is a way of quickly filtering out applicants who aren’t academically comparable to the average Princeton student.

Finally, like many schools this year, Princeton has adopted a temporary test-optional policy due to the coronavirus pandemic. If you would like to know whether you should still try to take the SAT or ACT, we encourage you to read our article on test-optional policies . While a strong test score can only help your application, you and your family’s health are most important.

Princeton Application Process

Application overview.

Princeton accepts both the Common Application and the Coalition Application. Due to coronavirus, Princeton is not allowing early applications this year, so all prospective students have a submission deadline of January 1st, 2021, and will hear back on April 1st, 2021. Traditionally, however, Princeton offers Restrictive Early Action and Regular Decision. 

The cost of submitting your application to Princeton is $75, but if you are worried that this fee will be a financial hardship, you can request a fee waiver on the Common or Coalition app.

Application Components

• The Common App or Coalition App
• Princeton supplemental essays
• A graded written paper
• High school transcript
• School report
• School counselor letter
• Two teacher recommendations
• Optional interview

Princeton Supplements

Princeton has six supplemental prompts: three essays, and three short-answer questions. The prompts are listed below:

• Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (about 150 words)
• At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future? (about 250 words)
• Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals. (about 250 words)

Short-answer questions

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words)
• What brings you joy? (50 words)
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)

If you would like help responding to these prompts, we encourage you to check out our guide to the Princeton supplements . After you finish your responses, you can also get free essay feedback from other students using our Peer Essay Review tool !

Graded Written Paper

The Princeton graded paper requirement is somewhat unusual, but fortunately it shouldn’t require any additional effort on your part, as Princeton just wants you to submit a 1-2 page essay, with your teacher’s comments, that you wrote for an academic course, preferably English or history. Note that this should be an academic paper, not a piece of creative writing. You can submit this paper through either application portal, or email it to Princeton. 

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

Recommendation Letters and School Report

Princeton requires three rec letters total, one from your guidance counselor and two from teachers. As you think about which teachers you would like to ask for rec letters, keep in mind that Princeton requests that you ask teachers who taught you in upper-level courses such as AP, IB, or honors, depending on your school’s academic program. Princeton does not request rec letters from teachers in particular subjects, but they do encourage you to ask teachers who taught you in a core subject like English, history, science, math, or foreign language.

Your guidance counselor, in addition to writing you a rec letter, will also submit a school report. This report contains information about your high school such as demographics, graduation requirements, and course offerings, that will help Princeton contextualize your academic achievements.

Depending on where you live, Princeton may offer you an alumni interview. Whether or not you are offered an interview depends on how many interviewers are available, so if you are not contacted don’t worry—it’s not any sort of commentary on the quality of your application.

If you are offered an interview, you should absolutely take advantage of this opportunity to elaborate on and add to your application. Interviews are not only a chance for Princeton to learn about you, but also for you to connect with a Princeton alum and ask any questions you have about the school.

When Will You Hear Back?

As mentioned above, Princeton is only accepting Regular Decision applications this year, so all applicants will be notified on April 1st, 2021. Keep in mind that there are three possible outcomes: you can be accepted or denied outright, but you can also be waitlisted.

While it is possible to be accepted off the waitlist, it is incredibly uncommon. For the Class of 2024, 902 applicants were offered a spot on the waitlist, and only one was eventually accepted. So, if you are waitlisted, you should put down a deposit at another school, as your chances of getting off the waitlist are unfortunately very low.

Princeton Financial Aid

For the 2020 academic year, the cost of attending Princeton was $69,950. However, the average grant for a student admitted to the Class of 2023 was $56,500. Even better, Princeton has a no-loan policy and commits to meeting 100% of a student’s demonstrated need . Princeton is also need-blind when evaluating all applications, regardless of whether the applicant is a US citizen or an international student.

The table below shows the average aid package awarded to members of the Class of 2023 in different income brackets.

Princeton notes that most of the families in the highest income bracket that qualify for aid have two or more children in college. Additionally, regardless of which income bracket you family is in, keep in mind that you are not guaranteed to receive the amount listed in the table. Princeton will assess how much they feel your family can afford to pay, and that may lead to you receiving an aid package that is smaller or larger than those listed above.

If you have general questions about Princeton financial aid, we encourage you to check out our article on what it really costs to attend Princeton .

How to Apply for Financial Aid

To apply for financial aid at Princeton, you must submit four forms:

• The Princeton Financial Aid Application
• Parents’ 2019 federal income tax return and W-2 statements
• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
• Noncustodial Parent Form or Waiver Request Form

Note that only US citizens should submit the FAFSA. Additionally, if your family does not file taxes in the US, you must submit a Non-Filer Statement that reports your parent or parents’ income.

All four forms must be submitted by February 1st. If you have questions about any of these documents or how to submit them, more information can be found on Princeton’s financial aid website .

What Are Your Chances of Acceptance?

While Princeton is one of the most selective schools in the country, some students’ chance of acceptance is much higher than 5%. If you would like to know what your chance of being accepted at Princeton is, based on your own academic and extracurricular accomplishments, we encourage you to check out our chancing engine , which will also give you some ways of improving your odds.

If you would like to know more about Princeton generally, you can find information on student body demographics, popular majors, and more on our school profile page for Princeton University . We hope you find our resources helpful as you work on your application to Princeton, and best of luck on April 1st!

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Princeton University

Essay requirements.

Academic Requirements

Costs & Scholarships

Successful Application

In addition to the Common Application or the QuestBridge Application, Princeton University requires the Princeton Supplement. Depending on which degree you wish to pursue (A.B., B.S.E. or undecided), you will answer one of the two academic prompts, as well as three additional sections. Princeton also requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application.

Additional Prompts

Answer all questions:

150 words or fewer

Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you.

250 words or fewer

• At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?
• Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

50 words or fewer

More About You

There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
• What brings you joy? 
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Academic Prompts

Pick one based on your area of study:

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

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?

For B.S.E Degree Applicants

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.

Helpful Resources

How To Answer The “Why This College” Essay Prompt

We’ll go over the best ways to approach the 'Why This College" essay and provide helpful tips to help you write an effective essay that impresses admission officers.

How To Format & Structure Your College Application Essay

Your essays are a chance for admissions officers to get to know you beyond your grades, test scores, and ECLs. But how do you craft essays that reflect who you are AND impress the admissions officers?

Everything You Need To Know About The Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are required by many highly selective institutions in addition to the personal essay included in your Common Application. You can learn all about what they are and why they’re important here.

Get Your Essay Reviewed

Feel confident when submitting your college application essay by getting it reviewed by a professional admissions expert..

Princeton University Essay Examples

Princeton Essay Examples – Introduction 

Are you wondering how to write the Princeton supplemental essays? Then this Princeton essay guide is just what you need! In fact, we’ll look at six Princeton essay examples and provide a detailed breakdown of why these were Princeton essays that worked. 

But before we dive into our Princeton supplemental essays examples, let’s learn more about Princeton University. 

Princeton University 

First, Princeton University is an elite private institution located in Princeton, New Jersey. Princeton is one of the Ivy League schools, founded in 1746. According to U.S. News , Princeton University is ranked #1 in National Universities. 

Princeton is a highly competitive university with an acceptance rate of around 4% . The university also routinely makes the list of Best Colleges for many of their majors. Want to know how to get into Princeton? It’ll take much more than just a good test score . The key to gaining admission to Princeton is to make your Princeton supplemental essays shine . 

Princeton essay guide

In this Princeton essay guide, we’ll explore that essential aspect of the Princeton application: the Princeton essay. We’ll highlight several Princeton supplemental essays examples and provide analysis on why these are Princeton essays that worked.

After reading through the Princeton supplemental essays examples, you’ll know exactly how to write Princeton supplemental essays! With strong essays, you have a better chance of beating that low Princeton acceptance rate.

How many essays does Princeton have? 

Wondering how to get into Princeton? One of eight Ivy League schools , Princeton attracts top-tier applicants who have near-perfect GPA s and test scores . If you want to stand out from the crowd, you’ll need to focus on crafting strong essays. 

We’ll give you more information on how to write Princeton supplemental essays later in this guide. Right now, let’s look at the Princeton requirements for essays. 

Princeton supplemental essay requirements

In addition to the Common App essay , Princeton requests four supplemental essays, one graded written paper, and three short answer questions as part of the Princeton admissions requirements. 

The purpose of the Princeton supplemental essays is to add another piece of the puzzle to your application by showcasing how your interests, passions, and goals match the college you hope to attend.  

You’ll be able to review some Princeton essay examples from Princeton essays that worked later in this Princeton essay guide. 

Princeton Essay Prompts

The current princeton essay prompts for the 2022-2023 princeton admissions cycle are listed below: , prompts are subject to change.

These are the most recent Princeton essay prompts. However, these Princeton essay prompts might change for next year’s Princeton admissions season. Before you start writing your own essays, verify which Princeton essay prompts Princeton admissions requires for your Princeton application. 

Aside from the Princeton essays above, you must submit a graded written paper as part of your Princeton application. Princeton admissions officers use the graded written paper to assess an applicant’s “written expression in an academic setting.” We’ll discuss this aspect of the Princeton requirements in-depth later in this article. 

You might notice that some of the Princeton essay examples below may not reflect the current Princeton essay prompts. That’s okay! The Princeton essay examples we’ve highlighted can still be valuable tools to help you write your own college essays. So, read on!

How often do Princeton essays change? 

If you’re starting your research on how to get into Princeton early, you might be curious whether the Princeton essay prompts will change by the time you’re ready to submit your Princeton application. 

Many colleges changed their admission requirements because of the pandemic, like the new test-optional policy. So, how often do the Princeton essays change? It depends. A Princeton supplemental essay that was required two years ago might no longer be required. 

The Princeton requirements are usually published online in mid-summer for the upcoming admissions season. Before you start writing your Princeton essay, be sure to verify which prompts are listed as part of the Princeton requirements. 

Princeton Essay Examples – Short Essay #1 

Now that we know more about Princeton’s essay requirements, let’s look at some Princeton supplemental essays examples. The first prompt for the Princeton essay examples asks you to describe how you have spent the last two summer breaks from school. 

With only 150 words for your response, you’ll want to get straight to the point. Even if your summers were jam-packed with activities, it’s best to select one thing to talk about (for each summer break) so that you can provide a rich description full of specific details. 

The Princeton essay examples you’re about to see are not a reflection of the current essay prompts. However, they are examples of Princeton essays that worked and should be viewed as a guide on how to write a successful essay. 

Keep this in mind as we review two Princeton essay examples for this prompt and explain the reasons why these are Princeton essays that worked. 

Princeton Essay Examples #1

During the summer after my Sophomore year, my father was laid off from work and money was tight for my family, so I was limited in what I could do. I dedicated myself to teaching my four-year old sister, and we developed a very strong bond. I taught her to read, sounding out letters and guiding her small hand in writing them. I held the handlebars as she pedalled her first two-wheeler, picking her up every time she fell.

During the summer after my Junior year, I was accepted into the Summer Science Program in Biochemistry at a major university. At SSP, I was immersed into hours of intense lectures and lab sessions, but with some of the most passionate people I’ve ever met. I emerged with a stronger sense of the successes and failures involved in research and my unique place in the vast science research field.

Why this essay worked

This is an example of Princeton essays that worked for several reasons. First, the author anchors their response to the prompt by providing a detailed account of the activities they participated in each summer. 

In the first part of the response, the author gives insight into why they may not have as many extracurricular activities on their application – “my father was laid off from work…so I was limited in what I could do.” This part of the Princeton essay examples is exactly how you want to address any gaps in your resume or educational activities. 

Another reason why this example is one of the Princeton essays that worked is that the author uses a description of the science program they attended to explain their academic interests . Doing so shows the admissions officer that they are committed to this field as a result of their experiences. 

Let’s look at another version of the Princeton essay examples for this prompt. 

Princeton Essay Examples #2

Last summer, I served as the leader for a Summer Reading program at my neighborhood library. Whether it is talking in different voices or victory celebrations after finishing a book, whenever I am with children, I find myself being pulled into their childhood world—a world of simplicity, of undying curiosity, and of pure innocence. It is a world in which if everything is not perfect, it definitely can be. 

This summer, I learned more about the ever-changing world beyond Oregon through a program at Princeton University. The Institute was the first time I was asked to think critically, challenge my perspective, and coexist with others who brought a variety of experiences that I would not have encountered in my sheltered upbringing as a child of Vietnamese immigrants. I became more conscious of my biases through role-play simulations and debates on social issues facing the 21st Century.

The second sample in our Princeton essay examples is another fantastic instance of Princeton essays that worked well. In this response, the author describes the activity they participated in as well as how they were a leader in this role. You’ll want to do the same if you have also been in a leadership position like the author of this second essay from our Princeton essay examples. 

Another reason this is an example of Princeton essays that worked is because the author mentions what they did and connected this experience to what they learned. This shows self-growth and interpersonal development, which are two key characteristics of a successful college student. 

As we mentioned above, these two Princeton essay examples are not related to the current Princeton essay prompts. However, these Princeton essay examples are still useful and can help you as you write your own college essays , as they demonstrate clear and well-written responses in a unique voice. 

In the next few sections, we’ll examine Princeton essay examples that are relevant to the current Princeton essay prompts. 

Princeton Essay Examples – Short Essay #2

There are also two Princeton essay examples for the second essay prompt. This prompt asks you to elaborate on an extracurricular activity or work experience that was meaningful to you. 

Like the Princeton supplemental essays examples above, this essay has a maximum of 150 words. 

To write a successful essay, like the Princeton essays that worked below, you’ll want to choose an activity or experience that holds significance to you.

You’ll want to name the activity, describe what the activity is, and elaborate on what you do in that activity. Bonus points if you can also add why it is meaningful to you and/or what you learned because of this experience. 

We’ll review two extracurricular activities essay examples below and explain why they are Princeton essays that worked. 

Serving as a Student Government leader at my college has taught me the power of student voice and collaborative leadership. During my Junior year, I began attending Senate Meetings and was elected as a Senator a few months later. I began proposing solutions to problems my college faces, from lack of STEM programming to low voter turnout rates to poor multicultural outreach programs.

I created student committees to tackle these problems, the most recent being a committee working to bring a series of local STEM professionals for our artist-in-residence series. I was appointed as a student voice to faculty committees, such as the Diversity and Equity Committee.

I use this position to bring student concerns I hear from SG directly to the college board to catalyze changes in our college, such as the introduction of STEM cohort groups or providing resources for students of color.

In the first of the extracurricular activities essay examples, you’ll see that the author mentioned the extracurricular activity they participated in as well as their role within this activity. 

This is an important step that most applicants forget to include within their responses. You don’t want to assume that your reader knows what your position was within your activity, even if it’s listed earlier in your application. By including the name of the activity as well as your role in it, it helps your reader understand the nature of your involvement. 

Another strong aspect of this extracurricular activities essay examples is how the author describes their approach to identifying issues and proposing solutions. The author takes time to explain what they did in their position to make a change. This shows how they are a critical thinker and problem-solver. It also shows how they are good at advocating for others, which are essential skills to have in college . 

You can learn a lot from the first response in our extracurricular activities essay examples. Most notably, this is one of the Princeton essay examples that shows rather than tells. 

Let’s look at another version of the extracurricular activities essay examples. 

After watching my grandfather suffer from heart ailments, it was particularly meaningful to have the opportunity to conduct echocardiography research with a pediatric cardiologist. During my summer internship at a major Health and Science University, I designed and built heart models to mimic hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) disease and investigate strain comparisons in a 2D and 3D model. 

Continuously designing and analyzing my own experiments has not only taught me the value of diligence, patience, and replication in the laboratory setting, but it has also instilled in me a profound respect for the biological intricacies that make life possible.

The critical-thinking and problem-solving skills I have honed through research will enable me to tackle difficult, and sometimes unknown, problems with sound reasoning and confidence as I serve the underrepresented to help eliminate health disparities.

Like the other samples in our Princeton essay examples collection, this response works for a number of reasons. First, the author explains why this was a meaningful activity to them. This provides the reader with the connection between the author’s personal experience and the extracurricular activity they chose to highlight. 

Again, the author describes what they did in this activity as well as what they learned. What takes this response to the next level is that the author describes how they will use what they learned. They explain how this experience will help them to reach their future goals. 

The Princeton supplemental essays examples above are perfect samples of how to respond to the extracurricular activities prompt. 

In the next sections, we’ll look at Princeton supplemental essays examples for the long response prompt. Although, Princeton admissions no longer uses this prompt, the Princeton supplemental essays examples are still helpful guides . They can show you how to write an effective essay with a higher word count. 

Princeton Supplemental Essay Examples – Long Response

We have two Princeton essay examples for the final prompt. As we mentioned above, some of the Princeton essay examples in this Princeton essay guide are from old prompts. This includes the Princeton essay examples below. 

When you read the next two Princeton essay examples, you’ll notice that they are long responses at 650 words each. Again, these Princeton essay examples are from old prompts, and you no longer need to write a 650-word essay in addition to your Common App personal statement . 

Even though these Princeton essay examples do not reflect the newest prompts, you can use them to guide you as your work on your own Princeton essays. 

The prompt for the Princeton essay examples below asks the applicant to choose from a list of themes as a starting point and write about a person, event, or experience that defined their values or changed the way they approached the world. 

We’ll provide the theme that the authors of these Princeton essay examples chose before we discuss why these are Princeton essays that worked. 

“Culture is what presents us with the kinds of valuable things that can fill a life. And insofar as we can recognize the value in those things and make them part of our lives, our lives are meaningful.” – Gideon Rosen, Stuart Professor of Philosophy and chair, Department of Philosophy, Princeton University. (650 words)

“You’re too white.”

I stopped in my tracks in the middle of the mall parking lot, trying to comprehend the judgement that had been cast on me by my Arab girlfriends. Too white, my friend had said. I always knew that I didn’t fit perfectly into the mold of a Middle Eastern girl, but this was the first time I had been called too much of something.

I was raised by an Arab father and an Irish-American mother. Because my father was the ultimate authority in the household, his cultural values overruled my mother’s. I grew up learning how to prepare spreads of mansaf and dancing to Jordanian dabke songs on the Arabic channel.

I twirled in my Palestinian dress in front of the mirror and painted my eyes with kohl. I was submissive and complacent, seen but not heard. I learned how to be a good hostess and to act bubbly with my friends and guests. I learned the value of family and respect for elders. In short, I was the perfect Arab girl.

When I was sixteen, however, my mom, siblings, and I left my father and moved to a different state. My mom ran our household based on her cultural values, presenting an exhilarating amount of freedom. Instead of passing by American Eagle, I was allowed to buy a pair of distressed jeans. I ordered the number two at Burger King and danced to Katy Perry’s “Swish Swish” at non-Arab parties. I talked back to my mom and stormed out of the house angrily.

I never felt the “whiteness,” as some would call it, creeping up on me. I never woke up and just decided “I’m more white than Arab.” I simply took on the values that my mom’s family and my new friends expected me to have.

However, I felt that at any given time, I was either Arab or white, never both. With my Arab friends, I was the Middle Eastern fashionista princess. With my non-Arab friends, I was the rebellious American teenager. Of course, neither of these stereotypes represented my true personality; I was trying to mold myself into the cookie cutters others had created for me, so it hurt to be called too much of one thing. My cultural identity was dependent on the people I was with.

After adjusting to my new life of freedom, I reevaluated how I defined my cultural identity. Why am I limiting myself in who I can be? I thought. Why am I allowing culture to define my identity? Why do I feel the need to force myself into certain stereotypes in my family’s cultures? Faced with these questions, I realized that rather than fitting myself into my cultures, I should make the cultures fit me. I appreciate my heritage and many of the values I was raised on, but I am more than my cultural background. My experiences shape the lens through which I view and assimilate my Arab and American cultures.

My anthropology teacher once said, “Culture is a social construction. It’s what we make it.” My culture is not a force that defines me; rather, it is a conglomeration of my heritage and values that influences and guides me. Looking in the mirror, I don’t see just an Arab-American teenage girl. I see a person grown from years of stories, sorrows, and joys. I see the values that my mother and father have taught me. I see the people that have touched me.

I see the lessons I’ve learned from my mistakes. You’re too white. I can scoff at this remark now, knowing it is nothing but a cultural tag society places on me. As I continue down this lifelong path of identity formation, I will remember to keep my heart open to the lessons I can learn from experiences to shape me into the person I want to see in the mirror.

This is the first of our Princeton supplemental essays examples that starts with a direct quote. This can be an effective way to pull your reader in. 

What makes this response truly unique is how personal it is. The author shows who they were, who they are, and who they hope to be as a result of their culture. They paint a picture of what it’s like to grow up within two distinct cultures. 

Additionally, the author addresses the values they had before and after they moved to a different state. By describing the shift in their values, they are addressing the part of the prompt that asks how they incorporate values into their lives to make them meaningful. Overall, this is a very strong essay!

Now let’s look at a different version of the Princeton supplemental essays examples. Please note that names of specific programs have been removed to preserve the writer’s anonymity.

“Princeton in the Nation’s Service” was the title of a speech given by Woodrow Wilson on the 150th anniversary of the University. It became the unofficial Princeton motto and was expanded for the University’s 250th anniversary to “Princeton in the nation’s service and in the service of all nations.” Woodrow Wilson, Princeton Class of 1879, served on the faculty and was Princeton’s president from 1902–1910. (500-650 word limit)   

My seven-year-old cousin’s thirst for knowledge, as she meticulously traced letters of the alphabet into the sandy floor of her schoolroom in Vietnam, makes me wonder what would happen if her potential met optimal resources. My aunt has to tie strips of fabric onto public buses to know which ones to take home from the market because poverty prevented her from learning how to read.

These vivid memories after my family trip to Vietnam fuel my passion to return to my country to stimulate social change through empowering people to voice their needs in front of an audience of national legislators and international agencies. This will provide my cousin with the chance to put pen to paper and finally tell her stories. The hope that my aunt will be able to read the public buses’ destinations herself reassures me that the injustices in my country will be addressed with the presence of officials advocating for change.

During an intensive seven-week program at Princeton University, I examined the economic, technological, social, and environmental needs facing the globe in the 21st Century. Through state-of-the art innovative methodologies, such as role-play simulations, case studies, and presentations, I debated on topics ranging from the cycle of recidivism that fosters the prison industrial complex to the removal of people of color from 17th and 18th Century  paintings in current academia.

These enriching dialogues at three in the morning allowed me to recognize that not only does my voice matter, but the voices of other underrepresented communities do as well. I learned that my leadership abilities are no longer confined by my skin color, gender, or social and economic standing.

More importantly, this program launched my continual pursuit of the core values—Excellence, Integrity, Compassion, and Community—to empower those voices that are underrepresented in my own communities: locally and internationally. I plan to employ these values and my Princeton education to impact the societal and environmental influences on health and well-being as a public health expert.

My interests in medicine, the human body, and social activism were magnified in this program because I began to recognize that my presence in Vietnam as a future public health expert will serve as a catalyst for change, inspiring my people to become assertive in their quest for aid in a way that giving a check never could.

With a world-class education from Princeton, I will explore my passion for service through conducting lectures on making access to healthcare a reality in developing nations at the annual Princeton-Fung Global Forum. I look forward to meeting with students and professors to learn and collaborate with the goal of collective global health leadership to become a more just and equitable society. 

Returning to my birth country sparked my desire to bring justice and health care to those who are marginalized. My program at Princeton helped me realize that through activism and public health outreach, I can place a spotlight on the unheard voices in the developing world.

I often ask myself, is civic engagement the only catalyst for change or does one have to be in a position of power to create a more just and equal world? I am still wrestling with these questions as I strive to discover the right balance between making a contribution and raising awareness while maximizing the ultimate benefit to the recipients. Truly, I know that community service is for my cousin, aunt, and all the nations I seek to serve.

Like the Princeton supplemental essays examples above, this response works because it’s personal. In fact, the essay pulls you in with vivid descriptions of life in Vietnam. Then, the author connects that to the need for change and how they hope to achieve this change. 

Another thing that works about this sample of the Princeton supplemental essays examples is that the author bridges each example in the essay to the prompt’s theme of service . They are able to explain their interests, passions, and future goals and how each of these are related to service. 

The author also explicitly states how attending Princeton will help them reach their goals, which we haven’t seen yet in any of the Princeton supplemental essays examples above. This can be an effective tool to use in your own essays. You want to stand out from other applicants and show that you want to attend Princeton, which is what this essay does well. 

Now that we’ve explored all our Princeton supplemental essays examples, let’s discuss how to write the Princeton supplemental essays. 

How do you write the Princeton supplemental essays? 

5 tips on how to write the princeton supplemental essays, 1. start early.

As we saw in the Princeton supplemental essays examples above, writing a strong essay takes time. You’ll want to begin your Princeton essay well in advance of the application deadline. 

2. Brainstorm topics for your Princeton supplemental essays

Before you start writing, you’ll want to brainstorm potential topics for your Princeton supplemental essays. Read through the prompts and think about how you can use your essay topics to highlight different aspects of your identity, interests, or passions. 

3. Focus on one experience

It might be tempting to write about everything that has happened to you since you started high school, but less is always more. Focus on one experience per essay and use your word count to provide rich details about that experience. 

4. Be specific

Each of the Princeton supplemental essays examples did a great job of bringing specific details into their responses. As you are writing your own essays, incorporate specific points to help your essay stand out. 

5. Edit your essays

Although it might be tempting to do so, don’t skip this important step! Sometimes it takes two to four rounds of edits before your essays are ready to submit. Ask a friend, teacher, or advisor for feedback, and edit your essays appropriately . 

Princeton Admissions Requirements: The Graded Written Paper

As we mentioned above, the graded written paper is on the list of Princeton requirements for admission. So, you must submit a graded written paper as part of your Princeton application. 

There are certain guidelines to consider as you select which graded written paper to submit along with your Princeton supplemental essay. 

Your graded written paper must meet the following criteria: 

• Your paper should have been written for an academic course, preferably English, social studies, or history, during the last three years of high school (including senior year).
• You may choose a paper, essay, research paper, or essay exam to send. However, it must be an example of expository writing only, not creative writing. 
• One to two pages in length. 
• Must include the course instructor’s grade and/or comments. If a grading rubric was used, please include this as well. 

How to submit your graded written paper for Princeton

You can submit your graded written paper to the Princeton admissions office by choosing one of the following options: 

• Upload the paper alongside your Princeton application materials on the Common App or QuestBridge application. 
• Mail, email, or upload the graded written paper to your student portal. 

Princeton admissions officers will review the graded written paper. They will use it to determine whether an applicant demonstrates the ability to perform well in Princeton’s rigorous academic environment. 

Keep in mind that Princeton admissions is more interested in the quality of the writing, rather than the grade you received. We encourage you to submit a paper that demonstrates your best writing abilities, regardless of the grade. 

Additional Princeton Resources 

Need additional Princeton resources? Check out CollegeAdvisor’s How to Get into Princeton guide . In it, you’ll find more information on the Princeton supplemental essay, Princeton requirements, Princeton admissions, and more. 

How to Get Into Princeton Guide

If you loved our Princeton essay examples and Princeton essays that worked, you can read more college essay examples here . 

College Essay Examples: 10 Best Examples of College Essays and Why They Worked

Moreover, you can also watch our webinar to get an overview of common supplemental essay prompts . 

Supplemental Essay Prompts Overview

Finally, to learn more about how to get into Princeton, watch our Princeton University panel . 

Princeton University Panel

Princeton Essay Examples – Final Thoughts 

Lastly, we hope our Princeton essay examples guide helped inspire you to begin writing your own Princeton essay. Even though the Princeton supplemental essays examples we included in this article might not reflect the current prompts, they are a good to reference as you write your college essays. 

While you research how to write Princeton supplemental essays, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the Princeton essays that worked in this Princeton essay guide. 

So, if you want personalized support as you strategize on how to get into Princeton, we can help. Register with CollegeAdvisor today to receive one-on-one guidance through the college application process.

Claire Babbs wrote this article. Looking for more admissions support? Click  here  to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how  CollegeAdvisor.com  can support you in the college application process.

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Princeton Requirements for Admission

Choose your test.

What are Princeton's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Princeton and build a strong application.

School location: Princeton, NJ

This school is also known as: Princeton University

Admissions Rate: 5.7%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Princeton is 5.7% . For every 100 applicants, only 6 are admitted.

This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress Princeton application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

Princeton GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.95

The average GPA at Princeton is 3.95 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.95, Princeton requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.95, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Princeton hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Princeton will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Princeton SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1518

The average SAT score composite at Princeton is a 1518 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Princeton Extremely Competitive for SAT test scores.

Princeton SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1500, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1560. In other words, a 1500 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1560 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Princeton has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, Princeton will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Princeton forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1560, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Princeton ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Princeton likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 34

The average ACT score at Princeton is 34. This score makes Princeton Extremely Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 33, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 35.

Even though Princeton likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 33 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 34 and above that a 33 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 35 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Princeton, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 35.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Princeton considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1560 SAT or a 35 ACT . You should also have a 3.95 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as Princeton, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1560 SAT or a 35 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Princeton here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted, supplemental forms required
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 3
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests Optional
• Scores Due in Office January 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language
• Social Studies

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 1 April 1
• Yes November 1 December 15

Admissions Office Information

• Address: PO Box 430 Princeton, NJ 08544-0430
• Phone: (609) 258-3000 x3000
• Fax: (609) 258-6743
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Princeton, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Princeton.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Princeton. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Princeton, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Princeton, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Princeton is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Transfer Essay Questions

In addition to the Coalition Application or the  Common Application , Princeton University requires the Princeton-specific Questions. Below you will find the supplemental questions for the 2023-24 application cycle. Depending on which degree you wish to pursue at Princeton (A.B., B.S.E. or undecided), you will answer one of the two academic prompts, then there are four additional sections meant to help us get to know you even better.

Please note: Princeton requires you to submit a graded written paper as part of your application. 

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

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 about 250 words.)

For B.S.E. Degree Applicants

• 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?  (Please respond in 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? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

More About You

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
• What brings you joy? 
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Higher Education Experience

Have you had any interruptions or gaps in your education since high school or college, or have you left any school voluntarily for a significant time frame? If so, please explain the timeline of your postsecondary career. (Please respond in about 150 words.)

• What are your plans during and after your higher education experience? (Please respond in about 150 words.)

Graded Written Paper

We ask all students to submit a graded written paper as part of their application to Princeton.

From the Blog and Podcasts

Prefrosh, curious about academics start here, a guide to taking your first "real" class, discovering my passion at princeton, how to research a university.

clock This article was published more than  5 years ago

Princeton and Stanford drop requirements for essay testing

Princeton and Stanford universities on Thursday became the latest prominent schools to stop requiring   aspiring students to submit an essay score from the ACT or SAT.

Stanford’s dean of admissions and financial aid, Richard Shaw, said in an email that the school would “strongly recommend” that applicants submit an essay score from one of the two admissions tests. But the mandate is gone, starting with students who apply for entry in 2019. Shaw said the university in California’s Silicon Valley will seek alternative methods to promote good writing.

Princeton, the Ivy League university in New Jersey, added a twist to its policy shift: All applicants must submit a graded writing sample from high school. It would prefer that work be in English or history.

Stanford is the nation’s most selective research university. It received more than 40,000 applications for the class entering this year and admitted fewer than 5 percent. Princeton, with about 35,000 applicants, admitted fewer than 6 percent.

Every year, millions of students take the SAT or ACT. The core portion of each test — a multiple-choice format — takes about three hours. Both have an optional essay. Some elite schools have required students to submit an essay score with their testing results. But recently, several have dropped that requirement. Among them are Harvard and Yale universities and Dartmouth College.

Another big-name university drops SAT/ACT essay requirement

In recent years, a growing number of states and school systems have paid for their students to take the SAT or ACT during the school day. Some of those contracts include the optional essay, and some don’t. That creates a dilemma for students who don’t get a chance to take the essay version in school: Should they be required to retake the test with the essay?

Taking the test with the essay costs more — up to $17 more for the SAT and up to $16.50 more for the ACT.

More high schools offer free college admission testing. But there’s a catch.

Princeton alluded to this issue in its statement Thursday.

“With this policy, Princeton aims to alleviate the financial hardship placed on students, including those who have the opportunity to take the test without writing during the school day and for free,” Princeton said.

Brown University is now the only Ivy League school to require an SAT or ACT essay score. Elsewhere, others still requiring an essay score include   Duke University and the University of California.

But on the whole, elite college and universities are delivering a clear verdict: Most no longer believe an essay score is essential for screening applicants.

Last month, the University of Chicago dropped its SAT/ACT testing requirement entirely. It became the highest-ranked research university to join the test-optional movement.

Princeton is likely to draw attention with its new requirement for a graded writing assignment. That appears to be an unusual mandate among the ranks of top universities.

“This is a good move, though of course a HS graded essay can also be gamed and will be reflective of privilege (e.g. access to tutoring) too,” test-preparation consultant Adam Ingersoll wrote in a tweet.

The nonprofit College Board, based in New York, oversees the SAT. The nonprofit ACT is based in Iowa.

Last month, the College Board had no comment when Yale dropped its essay-score requirement. The ACT said at the time: “We encourage institutions to determine which factors to emphasize and utilize in admissions decisions based on rigorous scientific research.” An ACT spokesman noted that its multiple-choice English test, one of four sections in the core ACT, also assesses writing skills.

The College Board launched the modern version of the SAT essay in 2005, making it a required section on the core test and changing the maximum score on the test to 2400. In 2016, the main SAT was overhauled again. The maximum score reverted to 1600, and the 50-minute essay section was made separate and optional.

In the high school Class of 2017, about 1.7 million students took the SAT. Seventy percent — 1.2 million — took it with the essay. Many of those essay-writers were doing so just in case they wound   up applying to a college that would require it.

The essay version of the ACT — officially known as ACT With Writing — debuted in 2005. A little more than half of the 2 million ACT takers in the Class of 2017 used the option. The writing section adds 40 minutes to the main ACT.

How do I write the graded paper for Princeton?

I am in my senior year, and plan on applying to Princeton. I recently found out about the graded paper requirement and have looked everywhere for tips. However, nobody talks about writing the actual paper, nor about who should grade it. If it helps, I am taking English, French, Accounting, Maths, Chemistry and Physics. Also, what am I supposed to write about?

Earn karma by helping others:

Hi, I looked up "princeton graded paper" and on the Princeton website, guidelines for this essay are included. The link is:

https://admission.princeton.edu/updated-application-requirements

Hope this helps!

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Standardized Testing

The Princeton University Office of Undergraduate Admission continues to assess the effects the pandemic has had on teaching and learning in secondary schools in the United States and around the world.  Also, after operating in a test optional environment for the past three admission cycles, we continue to assess the role standardized testing should play in our admission process. 

As a result, we are extending our test optional policy for first-year and transfer applicants for the next three admission cycles (that is, for applications due in the falls of 2023, 2024, and 2025). Students who opt to apply to Princeton without an ACT or SAT score will not be at a disadvantage in our process.  

Standardized testing is only one element of our comprehensive and holistic application review. Princeton has no minimum test score requirement for admission; rather, all of the information in each student’s application is considered in context.

Please note: The College Board eliminated SAT Subject Tests in January 2021 for domestic students and in June 2021 for international students. Though Subject Tests are not required, if you chose to sit for a Subject Test (prior to January/June 2021) and wish to submit the score, you may do so.

For those who choose to submit testing, we allow applicants to use the score choice feature of the SAT and accept only the highest composite score of the ACT, but we encourage the submission of all test scores. When registering for the SAT or ACT, use the following codes to ensure your scores are sent to Princeton: SAT: 2672 and ACT: 2588.

Notes on additional testing:

• If you sat for an Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) test, we recommend that you self-report all of your AP or IB scores on your application. For those who do submit standardized test scores, you must submit your SAT and/or ACT scores to Princeton directly from the testing firms.
• If English is not your native language and you are attending a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic). We do not accept the Duolingo English Test.

Testing Deadlines

• If you choose to submit testing, applicants should take the SAT or the ACT by the October test date for single-choice early action and the December date for regular decision.
• Students taking standardized tests in December or later should have their scores sent directly to Princeton.
• Transfer applicants who choose to sit for the test must complete all SAT testing by the March test date. All ACT testing must be completed by the February test date

Testing FAQs

I went to a high school where i had great relationships with my teachers and that is something that i have at princeton as well..

- Douglas Robins '23

Why Princeton?

My love letter to princeton, one of the best decisions of my life, finding home, why we all love princeton.