FAQs

Since we don't know until after May 1 how many students will accept our offer of admission, we invite a number of our applicants to stay on our wait list in the event we have remaining spaces in the first-year class. The list is unranked; if spaces become available, we will review the entire group of candidates on the wait list.

If you receive financial aid, your award will normally include a Princeton grant, as well as any outside scholarships you earn. More information about these types of aid is available in the Undergraduate Financial Aid Information and Application Instructions, which can be found on Apply for Financial Aid.

We require two academic teacher recommendations, and request, but do not require, a letter from your school counselor, college adviser or another school official to accompany the School Report.

All faculty members are expected to teach, as well as engage in research. All lecture courses and seminars are led by tenure-track professors, visiting faculty members, or lecturers with a Ph.D., but never by graduate students. Faculty members work most closely with undergraduates in the supervision of junior-year independent work and senior theses.

The safety and security of all Princeton University faculty, staff, students, and visitors are important to the Department of Public Safety (DPS). Our professional campus patrol officers, security officers, dispatchers and fire officials provide 24/7 year round safety services and emergency response to the campus. DPS provides many services that address the needs of faculty and staff including but not limited to: lockout services, victim services information, building access and event security, campus vehicle certification, RAD self-defense classes, and more.

If you have not recent courses, the next best option is to consider anything written from a similar academic program, such as the Warrior-Scholar Project, even if this was not a for-credit course and/or no grade was provided. If you have no similar recent academic program, you may consider either requesting an assignment from an instructor, or writing an expository essay on a topic of your choice. It is also helpful if you can explain your circumstances and available options in the application.

We ask that students do their best to request this material, but students will not be at a disadvantage if their school is not able or willing to provide a transcript. If you are unable to provide this material after requesting it, you should indicate this in your application in the additional information section.

If you make a mistake on the FAFSA, you can log back into the FAFSA portal with your FSA ID and password and submit a correction.

If there is an emergency while you are visiting campus, please remain calm.  If necessary, use your cell phone or the nearest blue light phone to call 911 or the Department of Public Safety (DPS) emergency number, which is (609) 258-3333.  Our professional campus patrol officers, security officers, dispatchers and fire officials provide 24/7 year-round safety services and emergency response to the campus. The campus is equipped with loudspeakers so that emergency services can broadcast instructions if necessary.  

After international students are admitted and matriculated to Princeton, the Davis International Center will provide additional information about applying for a student visa.