November 2021
Dear Counselors,
Fall is upon us here in New Jersey, and I am happy to share that Princeton students are once again residing on campus, classes are being held in-person and the Admission team is settling into its two new spaces. My colleagues and I now work day-to-day in the Helm Building at 330 Alexander Street, and we welcome prospective students and their families at our newly opened Admission Information Center at 36 University Place.
The Center serves as a hub for admission-related information and events and is the starting point for our Orange Key tours. (Our visitor policy this fall has allowed us to safely reinstate on-campus tours.) Though we have yet to offer in-person information sessions—including at schools and organizations—the Admission team is happy to have connected with thousands of prospective students, families and counselors in the virtual space. (Thanks to many of you for facilitating these meet-and-greets.)
As we look ahead to this application cycle, I’d like to highlight that the size of the incoming class will be larger than in years past, marking the start of a four-year increase that will grow our undergraduate student body by 500 students. As for our 2021-22 application policies, we have once again paused our standardized testing requirement as part of our holistic review process. In addition, all Optional Alumni Interviews for applicants will continue to be virtual this cycle.
In addition to connecting about admission-related work, I also want to share that we have a number of exciting campus-wide updates and major projects currently underway. These include the construction of two new residential colleges, a new art museum building, an established home for our access and inclusion programs and the addition of a varsity sport. Please see below for more detailed information.
Image
Fall is upon us here in New Jersey, and I am happy to share that Princeton students are once again residing on campus, classes are being held in-person and the Admission team is settling into its two new spaces. My colleagues and I now work day-to-day in the Helm Building at 330 Alexander Street, and we welcome prospective students and their families at our newly opened Admission Information Center at 36 University Place.
The Center serves as a hub for admission-related information and events and is the starting point for our Orange Key tours. (Our visitor policy this fall has allowed us to safely reinstate on-campus tours.) Though we have yet to offer in-person information sessions—including at schools and organizations—the Admission team is happy to have connected with thousands of prospective students, families and counselors in the virtual space. (Thanks to many of you for facilitating these meet-and-greets.)
As we look ahead to this application cycle, I’d like to highlight that the size of the incoming class will be larger than in years past, marking the start of a four-year increase that will grow our undergraduate student body by 500 students. As for our 2021-22 application policies, we have once again paused our standardized testing requirement as part of our holistic review process. In addition, all Optional Alumni Interviews for applicants will continue to be virtual this cycle.
In addition to connecting about admission-related work, I also want to share that we have a number of exciting campus-wide updates and major projects currently underway. These include the construction of two new residential colleges, a new art museum building, an established home for our access and inclusion programs and the addition of a varsity sport. Please see below for more detailed information.
As always, thank you for the important work that you do.
With my best wishes,
Karen
Karen L. Richardson '93
Dean of Admission
With my best wishes,
Karen
Karen L. Richardson '93
Dean of Admission
New and Noteworthy
Campus Expansion and Construction Updates:
- Two new residential colleges will open in time for the 2022-23 academic year, enabling the University to expand its undergraduate student body. Learn more >
- Hobson College, which will break ground in 2023, will be the first residential college at Princeton named for a Black woman and will be built on the site of First College, formerly known as Wilson College. Learn more >
- A new Princeton University Art Museum building, designed by architect Sir David Adjaye, is slated to open in fall 2024. Learn more >
- The University's shift toward more sustainable energy production continues as a critical component in realizing Princeton's ambitious net carbon neutrality goal by 2046. Learn more >
Campus Inclusion Outreach and Support Updates:
- President Eisgruber supports doubling the maximum Pell Grant. Learn more >
- Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity is established. Learn more >
- New Gender + Sexuality Resource Center launches in fall 2021. Learn more >
- The University now observes Juneteenth annually as an official University holiday, beginning this past year.
Academic Updates:
- Nobel Prize 2021: Professor David MacMillan receives Nobel Prize in chemistry. Princeton senior meteorologist Syukuro Manabe wins Nobel Prize in physics. Maria Ressa ’86 wins Nobel Peace Prize. Princeton graduate alumni David Card and Joshua Angrist win Nobel Prize in economic sciences.
- The Department of Electrical Engineering has become the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE). The name change signals a broad impact on computer and information technologies. Learn more >
Athletics Updates:
- Princeton taps alumnus (and former student-athlete, coach and administrator at Princeton) John Mack as the Ford Family Director of Athletics. Learn more >
- Women's Rugby will be elevated to a varsity sport beginning in the 2022-23 academic year. Learn more >