How to Apply

Single-Choice Early Action

Please see COVID-19 Update for changes to the application cycle.

For the 2021-22 application cycle, due to the lack of access to testing sites, Princeton will not require submission of standardized testing (SAT or ACT).

Princeton University’s single-choice early action program is a nonbinding process. If admitted, you have until May 1 to notify us about your decision to matriculate. If you apply single-choice early action, also known as restrictive early action, on Nov. 1, you may not apply to an early program at any other private college or university.  However, please note the following:

  • You may apply early to any public institution or service academy, as long as the decision is nonbinding.
  • You may apply early to any international institution, as long as the decision is nonbinding.
  • You may apply early to any college or university with a nonbinding rolling admission process.

If you apply early action, there are three possible outcomes for your admission decision. We will either:

  • Offer admission.
  • Deny admission.
  • Or, defer a final decision on the application and review it again in the regular decision process.

We will provide an admission decision in mid-December. 

The Princeton Financial Aid application deadline for single-choice early action is Nov. 9. If you are admitted in early action and have completed the Princeton Financial Aid Application, you will be notified of any financial aid award at the time you are offered admission. We will provide an admission decision by mid-December. You will have until May 1 to respond, enabling you to compare your admission and financial aid offers with those at other institutions to which you’ve been admitted in the regular decision process.