When I was little, I was afraid to go down the slide at the park, So you would think that when I became a flyer (the top girl in stunts) on Princeton Cheerleading, I would be scared for my life. But that’s not what happened; sure, I was nervous, but I wanted to hit the stunts. I wanted to go up again and again so that we could perfect our skills as a stunt group and as a team. Yet in a sport in which you’re throwing people up in the air, there’s bound to be accidents, and one day on the football field, I had mine. I fell forward, which is never a good way to fall because it’s almost impossible for anyone to catch you. I landed on my ankle, and the next week I found out that it was fractured.

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On my first day back on campus after my injury, I had so many fears. How would I get from Forbes – the residential college furthest from upper campus – to my classes on crutches? How will I get my food in the dining hall when I can’t hold a plate with my crutches? How am I supposed to find the time to ice six times a day, as the doctor instructed? These questions swam through my head as I trekked to Spanish class. I’ll admit the first day was tough. I ended up finding my own means for transportation around campus, stayed in my room when I could and had to miss cheer practice. 

This was all before I realized how supportive the Princeton community truly is and how many resources were available to me. I met someone on the elevator who was also on crutches, and he taught me how to use Tiger Transit, which is Princeton’s shuttle system. McCosh Health Center was also able to provide me with an electric mobility scooter. The scooter was amazing; it had a place to hold my crutches, a basket in the front and back for my backpack and it went decently fast. I almost didn’t want to give it up once my ankle healed! Last, no matter which dining hall I went to, the dining hall staff always offered to help me get my food or carry my plate to the table.

My team was especially supportive, still including me in their team bonding activities, practices, and games. My high school didn’t have a cheer team, but I was able to try the sport at Princeton. Now in my second year on the team, I am so thankful that Princeton lets you pursue your prior interests but also try new things on campus. During my injury, I realized what being a team on and off the field means.

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I'm finally back in my sneakers. Although it was hard in the beginning, I am grateful for this experience because it made me feel so proud to be a part of such a kind, thoughtful and genuine community. I also know where all the elevators are now on campus, and I have tons of new routes to get around that do not include stairs. It’s incredible that Princeton was founded in the 18th century, and yet it’s surprisingly very accessible. I’m excited to get back on the court once I’m fully healed.

Editor's Note: The QuestBridge National College Match helps outstanding low-income high school seniors gain admission and full four-year scholarships to some of the nation's most selective colleges. Princeton has been a proud QuestBridge partner for many years now and every year, we match with a small number of students through College Match. Hear from some of our current QuestBridge Scholars and their experiences with the match process and the University. - Kayla McDonald, Assistant Director of Admission

David Hwang '23

Major: Undecided

Email: jyhwang@princeton.edu

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Congratulations! It may be hard to believe, but as a QuestBridge Scholar, you are incredibly deserving, and you should honestly take a moment in this tumultuous and overwhelming time to breathe and commend yourself. I remember, just a year ago, that this time was filled with heaps of letters, brochures, notifications and forms that contributed to this sense of happy chaos. Thus,  I want to briefly share my experience at Princeton as a fellow QuestBridge Scholar, so that you can perhaps get a feel for what it is like here.

I was surprised by being matched with Princeton University. I remember seeing the acceptance rate and thinking to myself that it was a long shot—perhaps too long of a shot. During the commitment period, I was distraught between some amazing opportunities at other colleges, but ultimately, Princeton had my heart. To put it simply, all of the schools I was fortunately blessed to choose from offered great programs with bountiful opportunities and generous financial aid. However, the undergraduate-focused culture at Princeton and the unique and diverse student body, conjoined with the stunning campus convinced me to matriculate at Princeton. The difference is significant.

And I know that I have not made the wrong decision. Yes, school can get difficult at times, and it is a lot of work, but that is true no matter where you go! Many resources will be available to you, and it is ultimately up to you to capitalize on them. I personally have found some classes at Princeton to be challenging, but at the same time, it is rewarding to know that I have done my best and that the results reflect that. 

My advice for those scholars who matched with Princeton would be to simply cherish the present moment. Be honest with yourself, trust yourself and take it one day at a time!

Danielle Newton '20

Major: Chemistry 

Email: dnnewton@princeton.edu

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I would advise the newly matched QuestBridge students to pick a college that has a large and established community of FLI (first-generation and low-income) students so that you have other people who share a similar background. Schools that prioritize bringing FLI students to campus likely also prioritize their success once they are there. I remember how selecting a school among an impressive list is overwhelming and challenging, but I’m so thankful I ended up at Princeton, and I’d love to see you on campus too!

My first year at Princeton was more of a transition than I was expecting—I hadn’t heard of J.Crew, I thought squash was a vegetable and not a sport and I had never worn a pair of “Bean” boots. But before I even stepped on campus, I was welcomed by a community of FLI students and faculty through the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP). Throughout my first two years at Princeton, I met with a group of SIFP students each week to share and gather advice or stories through the guidance of an upperclassmen mentor. SIFP also provided me with so much support: everything from extra precepts for organic chemistry to rides to the nearby mall for Halloween costumes. I have also remained quite involved with QuestBridge throughout my four years at Princeton. I’ve been a National College Admissions Conference Group Leader, and I attended the QB25 Conference in San Francisco this summer. Additionally, I have also been a part of the Quest Scholars Network on campus.

With all of the support, guidance, companionship and mentorship I’ve received at Princeton as a FLI student, I haven’t felt that anything is off-limits. Princeton has awarded me generous financial aid for two summer study abroad programs and a summer senior thesis research grant. Joining an eating club, traveling abroad for the first time and much more were fully accessible to me.

Daniel Palleres '20

Major: Computer Science

E-mail: DanielPallares@princeton.edu

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When I started senior year of high school, I wasn’t even thinking about Princeton as an option for my undergraduate education. I didn’t think I could get in, and I knew my parents couldn’t afford it. My college and career counselor encouraged me to apply through QuestBridge, and I was left speechless when I got matched.

After visiting Princeton and several schools I was admitted to, I realized that Princeton was the best choice for me. The diversity in academic passions, the wealth of resources available to me as an undergraduate, and the support that the institution provides for first-generation and low-income students are unmatched.

Now that I’m in my final year, I have fully integrated into the University. I’m finishing my concentration in Computer Science at the School of Engineering & Applied Science, I’m president of the eating club Quadrangle and I have a job lined up for after graduation. I’m excited to come back to Princeton as an alumnus.

Marisela Neff  '20

Major: Chemistry 

Email: mneff@princeton.edu

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Being matched to Princeton through QuestBridge has truly been life changing for my family and me. Coming from a first-generation and low-income background, I was entirely convinced Princeton was not within reach. However, getting matched to Princeton has allowed me to take a step into a world of opportunities that I never could have imagined were available to me.

After visiting Princeton, I fell in love with the University’s focus on its undergrad students and its dedication to creating leaders who will change the world. I have been so grateful for resources like the Freshman Scholars Institute and Scholars Institute Fellows Program, which helped me adapt after high school and get introduced to all that the University has to offer. At Princeton, I’ve been able to travel the world, interning in India and Ecuador for two months while also visiting Peru, Chile, and Cuba through the Office of International Programs. I’ve participated in and lead a civic engagement trip on social-political issues that I am passionate about in Washington D.C. and Detroit, Michigan through the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. And finally, as a senior, I’m spending a lot of time working in an organic chemistry synthesis lab for my senior thesis. As a premedical student studying Chemistry with a certificate in Latin American Studies, Princeton has certainly been challenging. However, the support and opportunities available here are truly one of a kind.

Princeton students enjoy joking about the unique language of acronyms and slang that we have developed to communicate about different activities and aspects of life on campus. Whether you are chatting about your Zee group (advisory group), COS (computer science), or D3 (Draft 3 of the freshman writing seminar), for an outsider or anyone new to Princeton it is all quite confusing. 

When I first started Princeton, I was immediately taken by the notion of the “study break.” While the name itself is self-explanatory, the extent to which study breaks are such an integral part of Princeton culture took time to register. Study breaks are organized by clubs, groups and even classes. They represent the chance to put down your work and go eat, chat with friends or do something fun. I was dubious about this notion of “pre-organized,” seemingly artificial fun. If I wanted a break, I could just take a break, right? Why make the effort to go to the various different study breaks I was invited to each week?

After going to my first study break, I changed my mind. In an atmosphere in which everyone can be  busy with academics and activities outside the classroom, it’s great to have a culture that emphasizes taking a break. Once I embraced the idea of the study break, then I became overwhelmed by the sheer number of breaks offered – how was I supposed to choose? Once I came to see study breaks less as a break from studying and more as a social event, I relaxed and enjoyed the options.

One week, I helped to organize two study breaks. On one day, I helped host a wood-fired pizza study break as board member of the Center for Jewish Life. My responsibilities in the CJL during the semester have consisted of organizing weekly study breaks and it has been fun to get creative about what we can organize to help students relax, unwind and snack on delicious treats. Other study breaks have included make your own s’mores, waffles, fancy coffee and gelato. 

The other study break I organized was one through the vegan advocacy organization I am a part of. We served vegan hot chocolate, eggnog, muffins, donuts and more to help interested students learn about delicious vegan options. This study break was particularly enjoyable as it allowed me to both be involved with a cause I care about and share that passion with my community. 

Overall, I am grateful for the unique culture of study breaks at Princeton and know I will take the spirit of them with me wherever I go when I graduate. 

Dear Prospective Students:

Take a deep breath. I know that college application season can be a stressful time.  I’m actually going through the same process⁠—law school⁠—so I feel your pain. 

You’ll end up where you’re meant to be. You’ll be happy. You’ll be successful. Everything’s going to be okay. These are phrases we hear all the time during the application season. We hear them so often that we don’t end up paying enough attention to them. Looking back on my undergraduate applications, I’m realizing that everyone was right. You shouldn’t take it personally; your application is a very small representation of who you are, and the admission decision is not a reflection of you.

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That being said, it’s difficult to actually internalize such an ideology. There’s no trick to surviving the application season. There’s no trick to being the perfect applicant. All you can do is your best, and after that, it’s a waiting game. What I can tell you is that you should enjoy your senior year as much as possible. Next year, your slate will be wiped clean and you’ll be left to find your own path, most likely without the help of the people you’ve grown up so close to. College is unlike anything you’ve ever experienced, and that’s both scary and exciting!

Take the time to appreciate the little things. The homecooked meals, the familiar hallways of your high school or the ability to go home after a long day. Appreciate the same faces you see, day after day. Take time to be thankful for the neighborhood you grew up in, your siblings who may annoy you at times, your pet that you love more than anything in this world. The distance that comes with most college experiences tends to complicate these things.

But at the same time, look forward to meeting new people, getting to know a new place or making new friends. Look forward to becoming more independent, discovering new interests and exploring a side of academia you’ve never experienced before. Application season is so, so stressful, but it’s also momentous; the decision you make will affect you for the rest of your life! So no pressure…

Take a deep breath, and good luck.

Fall break always comes at the perfect time during the Princeton semester. Six weeks into classes, just as you’re getting into the swing of things for the school year, you are gifted a wonderful, seven-day break. Over this break, people do a variety of things. Many go home. Some travel to exotic locales as part of a class. Others go on trips with their clubs and friends. A few stay on campus to rest and recharge. 

In the past, I’ve always returned home to Oregon for break. For me, it seemed like the best way to get the rest I needed. This year, I had a different plan: the opportunity to participate in a Jewish-Muslim dialogue hiking trip in Moab, Utah. Random right?! The idea of the trip, organized by the Center for Jewish Life, Muslim Life Program and Outdoor Action Program, was to promote mutual understanding between Jewish and Muslim students via a shared experience.

A total of twelve students took part – six Jewish and six Muslim. From the first day, the group had a great dynamic as everyone who came on the trip wanted to be there, wanted to ask difficult questions and wanted to learn. As we drove across Utah to start our first hike, I already felt that I’d made some lasting friends.

While it ended up being too cold to camp, each day featured amazing hikes. We were primarily exploring Arches National Park, a park known for its tremendous rock formations that take the shape of beautiful, natural arches. Each day, after many hours of hiking, we would head back to our motel to cook together, play games and continue the dialogue. 

While I’d initially been nervous about doing something physical over my fall break, I’m so grateful that I took this unique trip, which featured conversations about subjects ranging from religious practices and holidays, to favorite sports teams, to highly charged political issues. While the trip itself was exhausting, I still came back feeling excited and reinvigorated — heartened by the productive conversations and new friends I’d made. 

One of the aspects of Princeton that surprises most people when I am talking about the University is its size. With fewer than 6,000 undergraduates, Princeton is a relatively small school compared to its peer institutions. But it is precisely this size that enables the University to focus on the undergraduate experience. If you spend enough time around here or even just take a tour, the University’s “undergraduate focus” is sure to come up, and rightly so; it is a significant part of what makes Princeton the school that it is.

Princeton’s size allows for a more intentional focus of resources on the undergraduate students. Upon matriculation, each student is assigned to a residential college (their home for the first two years), a residential college adviser, a peer academic adviser and a residential graduate student. Students are also made aware of dozens of other resources, including group and individualized tutoring, Counseling and Psychological Services and dozens of other centers or offices that focus primarily on supporting undergraduate students. As students work their way through Princeton and begin the quintessential independent work their junior and senior years, everyone either is assigned or chooses a departmental adviser who meets and works with them to see their work from start to finish. This alone is an incredible aspect of Princeton—to develop robust research alongside a Princeton professor!

Another benefit to the number of students is the sense of community that exists between current students and the alumni. This creates a sort of bonding effect that connects Princetonians across the years. I know that sounds like a typical admission phrase; even I was skeptical when I first arrived here. But I must say that is one of the more special parts of going to school here: the people you meet and the community you are encouraged to build.

With that being said, it is important to note that a small campus is not for every student. The University is set up next to, but a bit separated from, the town of Princeton. Most of Princeton’s buildings are on the main part of campus, making a walk from one end of campus to the other an average of twenty minutes or so. After classes, many students are engaged in extracurriculars, studying or socializing. Most of the performance shows, eating clubs or dining halls are either on campus or immediately adjacent. Overall, you can see why the phrase “Orange Bubble” exists; time can slip by easily without stepping foot off campus. And with Princeton’s size, it is easy to meet someone new every day, but it is simultaneously easy to get settled in a routine where you interact with the same people and see the same faces each day. Having a relatively small, communal campus in a non-urban setting has a lot of benefits, but it also has its drawbacks if you aren’t careful or intentional about getting off campus or interacting with non-college aged students. But regardless of the pros and cons, it is not for everyone. Some people thrive better in smaller environments than Princeton, others in larger. As with any university or anything in life, it’s all about balance and finding out what works for you.

When you start your junior year at Princeton, a new question becomes a part of the classic small-talk lexicon — “Where do you eat?” This strange question is in reference to the abundant dining choices available to upperclass students. In addition to the dining hall, they are presented with a multitude of dining choices, from joining a co-op or an eating club to going independent. Everyone has to figure out their approach to meals. 

Many Princeton students turn to eating clubs. Eating clubs are a concept unique to Princeton and serve as social and culinary hubs on campus. During the second semester of sophomore year, students sign-up or participate in a selection process, called “bicker” to be in a club where they will eat most of their meals. The eating clubs are clustered on Prospect Avenue adjacent to the University. For generations, many Princeton students have had great experiences with eating clubs and relish this unique part of their time at Princeton. That said, eating clubs are not the only options. 

Students who don’t join eating clubs and choose not to eat in the dining halls have several options, one of which is dining co-ops. Co-ops are food-share programs where small groups of Princeton students (usually around 30) come together and cook fresh, tasty meals for one another. As a co-op member, you are expected to cook once a week and the costs are very affordable. There are various types of co-ops on campus that cook foods catering to different cuisine types and preferences. 

This year, I joined the Pink House food share. Pink House is a sustainability-minded community that cooks vegan and vegetarian meals for a community of about 25. As a part of Pink House, I have access to a real kitchen and fresh ingredients when I cook once a week. It is an excellent way to unwind, de-stress and learn some valuable cooking skills. So far this year, I have enjoyed experimenting with hearty stews, zesty salads and delicious baked goods. I have also enjoyed having fun and conversations with my fellow cooks. 

Because I am vegan, I knew it would take me a while to figure out what other options, outside of the dining halls, were available to me, but my experience at Pink House showed me that there really are options for everyone. 

Before coming to Princeton, I didn’t really know what entrepreneurship was. Surprisingly, the first club that reached out to me during the first-year activities fair was the Entrepreneurship Club. Since then I have discovered a passion for the field and have participated in many entrepreneurial opportunities offered by the University. 

I have been able to learn about entrepreneurship through the courses offered by the Keller Center. In a course called “Creativity, Innovation and Design,” I was able to propose a solution to a major problem affecting college students: time management. My group and I thought of implementing meditation breaks during lectures in order to help with concentration. Another great course is “Foundations of Entrepreneurship,” in which we have weekly guest lectures from leaders in the field. The founder and CEO of Giphy recently came to the class and it was incredible to learn how he began his own venture.

Outside of the classroom, the Keller Center offers opportunities during the summer. I got to travel to Tel Aviv as a marketing intern at a high-tech startup. Believe it or not, I was able to use my liberal arts education to write blog posts and redesign the startup’s website. I lived with a cohort of 20 Princeton students and learned a lot about the Israeli startup culture. What’s amazing is that this summer internship was fully funded by the University!

Other opportunities made available by Princeton was the Tigers Entrepreneurs Conference 2019 in San Francisco. It was an unbelievable experience because I was able to meet with alumni who founded their own startups, as well as visit companies like Google and Salesforce.

I am incredibly grateful to Princeton for letting me discover my passion for entrepreneurship and giving me the tools and skills necessary to pursue the field after I graduate. My message to prospective students is that, while Princeton is known for its liberal arts education, it also excels in entrepreneurship! If you are creative, have innovative ideas, or want to change the world, entrepreneurship might also be for you! 

Some of you reading this may attend high schools where many seniors go off to attend Princeton and other similar colleges every single year. Others might not know anyone from their school who’s ever attended Princeton before. I’m very proud of the fact that I’m the first student from my high school ever to be admitted to Princeton and I think it’s given me a unique perspective on campus life.

I won’t lie — deciding to come to Princeton was a touch nerve-wracking because I had no idea what to expect and didn’t have any past graduates from my school that I could ask. Unlike many of my high school friends, who were all attending local colleges together, I didn’t have anyone to ‘twin’ shirts with on College Decision Day or to discuss first-year orientation with. Looking back, however, I wouldn’t have done it any other way — coming to college without the friend groups from high school allowed me to grow more as an individual from the moment I stepped on campus.

My worries about not having built-in support here were unfounded too. The first-year experience at Princeton is loaded with opportunities to meet and ask questions of upperclass students and professional University staff, who oftentimes are absolutely overjoyed to meet you! Every first-year is assigned a Residential College Advisor (RCA) and a Peer Academic Advisor (PAA), two junior or senior students in your residential college who can offer student-to-student advice on everything from course selection to social troubles. Each student also gets a faculty advisor in their area of study and has access to their college’s director of studies for a second opinion.

There are also several resources on campus meant specifically for students who come to Princeton from underrepresented or otherwise unique backgrounds. One that comes to mind is the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP), whose website notes that SIFP “offers mentorship, academic enrichment, and a welcoming scholarly community to students hailing from backgrounds historically underrepresented at Princeton.” Another is the First-Generation Low Income Council (FLiC), which also offers similar resources.

What I’ve found is that there’s no “right way” to come to Princeton. For maybe my first week of classes, I was afraid I wouldn’t have a network of juniors and seniors to turn to for mentorship.  Pretty soon, though, I had carved out my own place on campus. The diversity at Princeton has given me the experiences to meet hundreds if not thousands of other students with whom I share much more crucial interests and values. There’s nothing to fear in blazing your own trail!

As the deadline for early action applications to Princeton looms closer and closer, I’m constantly reminded of my own path to Princeton and the process it took for me to get here. I remember how stressful the college application process was, with everyone asking, “Where are you applying?” and, “What’s your first choice?” It’s easy to get overwhelmed by these questions, especially if you’re not quite sure of how to respond.

The process of making your list of schools to apply to is tough. I remember I didn’t understand why it was so hard when I was young; why couldn’t students just apply to every single school in the country? That way they’d surely get in somewhere. I didn’t realize that each application came with an application fee, not to mention the fact that the Common Application limits the number of schools you can apply to through their platform. (If the application fee is a hardship for your family – you can check with the school to see if fee waivers are available.) Upon learning this, I started to understand why so many students have a hard time crafting their list.

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So, how do you go about making “The List”? What should you keep in mind when looking at schools? Below is a survival guide to college applications.

1. Location. Location is key. Many high school students can’t wait to graduate and go to a university far away from home, but here’s a pro tip: everyone gets homesick at some point or another. Maybe you miss your parents, siblings or pet. Maybe you miss sleeping in your own familiar bed. Maybe you miss that small-town feel. Whatever the reason, it’s very hard to go home for the weekend if you live far away. When I was looking at schools, my parents insisted on a “no-fly zone,” meaning the schools I chose had to be within driving distance from home. At first, I thought this was a huge limitation; then I realized that, since I lived in New York, I had so many colleges within driving distance from me!
2. Campus feel. When I was looking at colleges, I remember that the way a campus was structured was really important to me. I wanted a campus that felt like a campus. For that reason, a lot of city schools didn’t make it to my list. One aspect of Princeton that I love is that it has a physical gate that clearly signifies where the campus is. This solid campus structure makes the school feel homier to me, which was important. If you’re a person who loves cities and being immersed in them, try adding more city schools to your list!
3. Money. Money can be a sore subject that not a lot of people like to talk about. Nevertheless, the reality is that money is a huge factor when students apply to college. There are many different ways to go about this. In-state tuition versus out-of-state tuition can make a huge difference at some schools. At others, the financial aid program is what attracts students. When I made my list of schools to apply to, I made sure to keep all of this in mind before choosing universities. Princeton's generous financial aid program made college possible for me, as the program is need-based and is committed to meeting 100% of a family’s demonstrated need. Princeton also reevaluates your family's financial situation every year in order to account for any changes, making it extremely flexible!
4. Academics. Of course! We can’t forget the actual reason why you go to college! The academic opportunities at a university will likely be a deciding factor during your application process. Part of what attracted me to Princeton was its academic rigor which, in turn, opens doors to countless internship and career opportunities.
5. Alumni network. When you apply to a school, you have to also keep in mind your plans for after college. A strong alumni network goes a long way when it comes time to look for work, internships, fellowships, graduate programs, etc.  In fact, over 26,000 alumni volunteers work with the University in various capacities including providing opportunities and advice to students and young alumni interested in internships and careers.

I hope that these tips will be helpful to you during your college application process. However, you should also keep in mind that you’re going to end up where you’re supposed to be. The admission process doesn’t always work out the way you expect it to, and the stress of the “What-ifs” is exhausting and simply awful. Try not to feed into the frenzy of college applications; if you focus on keeping your own process under control, you’ll be much happier in the end!