Civic service and engagement are a large part of what Princeton stands for. The Pace Center for Civic Engagement provides a very wide range of possible volunteer opportunities for Princeton students. Organizations range across a wide variety of interests and social issues. To highlight just a few, the list includes opportunities to tutor local K-12 students or incarcerated individuals in the NJ-NY area, involvement in a summer camp that supports children affected by a caregiver’s cancer diagnosis, and volunteering at blood drives with the Red Cross.

In addition to the opportunities listed explicitly on the Pace Center’s website, many students become embedded in the surrounding community and engage with organizations that are not necessarily affiliated with the University. For example, many students that I know volunteer with an organization called Solidaridad Central Jersey, which operates a pro se asylum clinic. A variety of individual clubs and organizations on campus also execute their own volunteering efforts. The options feel limitless.

From September through December, I spent my Tuesday evenings teaching English as a Second Language (ESL) classes in the basement of Green Hall. Students for Prison Education, Abolition and Reform (SPEAR) works with the local non-profit, Familias en Resistencia y Acción (previously known as Unidad Latina en Acción NJ), to host around a dozen immigrants in the Mercer County area who are interested in reinforcing or building their English proficiency.

Every week, students are responsible for teaching one two-hour class, either on campus during the week, or in Trenton on Saturday mornings. During the days leading up to each class, co-teachers meet to create their lesson plans. Many times, however, teachers are required to adapt on the spot—we aim to be very flexible and responsive to ESL students’ needs during the classes themselves. There are three English levels taught each day.

SPEAR’s first semester offering ESL classes was in the spring of 2023, but my first time volunteering was not until that summer. Being fully transparent, I had initially been worried about my ability to manage my time well enough to undertake this additional responsibility. However, it was something I really wanted to do, so I joined the team of teachers over the summer to assist with the virtual classes being offered. Every Saturday, my co-teacher and I taught Level 1 English from 6 to 8 PM. It was a great experience, and I am so happy that I continued to teach ESL in the fall.

With the same co-teacher, we taught Level 2 English during the fall semester. It was extremely rewarding not only to see familiar faces from the summer, but also to build relationships with new students. Every class, students became increasingly confident and participated more and more. By the end of the fall semester, our small class felt like a small community and Tuesday evenings were the highlight of my week. As the spring semester kicks off, I look forward to continuing my involvement teaching ESL.

Volunteer opportunities are more than abundant on and around campus. Although it may feel intimidating to devote time to other extracurriculars, it is beyond worth it. Volunteering and engaging with people living in the surrounding community has enhanced my time at Princeton—it feels good to be a part of something bigger.

As winter break draws to a close and the spring semester approaches, Princeton students are gearing up for another Add/Drop! Also known as “shopping period,” this is basically a time when students are trying out various classes and finalizing their schedules. Over the course of the first two weeks of the semester, you can literally “shop” around by sitting in on the first lecture or seminar of different courses to see which piques your interest and which you’ll ultimately pursue enrollment for. I absolutely love Add/Drop because it gives me the chance to actually feel out the vibe of a class in-person—not just from a syllabus or a Canvas page—and make my decision accordingly. If you tend to be indecisive like me, it’s comforting to have the flexibility of this trial period, rather than everything being set in stone and potentially getting stuck in a course you don’t like. Classes that I found and shopped last-minute have sometimes ended up becoming my favorite one of the semester!

But what happens when a class is full and a student can’t get a spot?

Picture this: you’re frantically refreshing the enrollment page every five seconds, hoping and praying that someone, anyone will drop the class so you can be the first one to snag their spot. You don’t want to camp out by your laptop, but you’re scared you’ll miss it if a seat opens! 

Thankfully, this doesn’t have to be the case. You don’t have to guard the enrollment page 24/7 because your fellow Princeton students actually designed an app just for this purpose. In a previous blog post (which you can check out here!), I explored ReCal, one of the student-created TigerApps at Princeton. While ReCal remains my favorite, I’d like to share another TigerApp that I love: TigerSnatch!

TigerSnatch is designed for students to get real-time notifications when a spot in a class opens up during Add/Drop. As their homepage states, “With TigerSnatch, Princeton students can "subscribe" to full courses and sections and get instantly notified via email and text message when a spot frees up.” Not only that, but the site also provides helpful information, such as how many other people are waiting for a spot, if that class has reserved seats, and the last time a spot opened. 

Like ReCal, this is just another great example of the innovation of our Tigers. TigerApps were made for Princeton students, by Princeton students, so they know what the community is in need of most and can create apps that truly cater to our needs. As someone who uses these apps and websites often, I’m super grateful for them and their efforts to make student lives just a little bit easier! 

During the semi-chaotic, lowkey stressful process known as Room Draw that occurs towards the end of every spring semester, students (usually in groups) enter a lottery-like system to determine in what order they’ll pick their new rooms. Although first-years and sophomores are guaranteed dorms within their respective residential colleges, this is not necessarily the case for juniors and seniors. Once Princeton students approach their third year, they’re given the option to enter their residential college lottery—of which there are only a certain amount of spots allotted for juniors and seniors—and/or enter the upperclassmen lottery and live in parts of campus that are specifically designated for just upperclassmen. (Note: Most draw groups do end up entering both lotteries to see all their options!) 

Well, despite our love for our New College West home, my group was sadly unable to snag one of those junior spots in our res college draw, so we ended up drawing rooms in upperclassmen housing instead. Currently, I’m living with one of my best friends in 1901-Laughlin Hall, a dorm located in the northwest part of campus, among several buildings infamous for being not the most updated.

I’ll be honest—I was worried. I had heard the stories and rumors about living in this stretch of old buildings… cockroaches, lots of noise. Pretty much nothing you’re looking for in an ideal living space and a stark contrast to many of the air-conditioned, elevator-equipped newer dorms. But I decided to remain positive and open to all that my new dorm had to offer.  

I soon discovered that this network of dorms was not without its own charms. After living in it for nearly four months now, I can honestly say that its bad reputation is at least in part over-exaggerated. Sure, you see your decent amount of bugs and experience a fair share of noise on the weekends, but here are some pros (or at least things to take into consideration):

1. People aren’t lying when they say the summer heat only lasts for the first two or so weeks of the fall semester. After that, the heat really wasn’t that much of a bother. Just be sure to pack a fan or two, and I’d recommend trying to go for a room on one of the lower floors to help, too.
2. You can live with your friends from other residential colleges! One major reason that students actually choose to draw into upperclassmen dorms is because they can finally room with friends who belong to different res colleges, which isn’t possible for the first two years.  
3. You’re much closer to Nassau Street and many of the classrooms. This is a game changer for many students, particularly those whose original res colleges were far (sorry Forbes, NCW, and Yeh). It practically cuts the walking distance in half, so you can sleep in for a little longer in the mornings instead of rushing uphill to class! (Bonus: they are also equidistant from Dillon Gym and the U-Store, both of which students tend to frequent, as well.)
4. Speaking of comparisons to other res colleges, the architecture of these buildings is also a huge selling point. If you’re looking for that classic collegiate gothic style that Princeton is often known for, this is the place to be!
5. Lastly, in a similar vein to #2, because it only houses juniors and seniors, you’ll be surrounded by familiar faces. We love all first-years and sophomores, but it’s nice to have a little slice of campus for just our fellow upperclassmen.

So if you do end up living in the older upperclassmen dorms, bring your fans and bug spray—but also enjoy it! The vibes in this part of campus are honestly unmatched, and you’re sure to bond with your friends and fellow upperclassmen that live there.

At Princeton, there are several places to find community. In your residential college, in clubs, in classes. But when there’s a gap to be filled, and students can’t find exactly what they’re looking for, it becomes all the more important for them to make that community for themselves. 

This is precisely what I experienced over the course of the past year. Being a proud Filipino, I recall seeking out any sort of Filipino club when I first came to Princeton. I knew that there were fellow students here that shared my heritage, but it was just a matter of finding them and connecting with them.

I was so glad to hear that there were other students (shoutout to the Qua sisters!), who felt the same way and had already gotten the ball rolling. Thus, the Princeton Filipino Community (PFC) was born. Though versions of the club had existed in prior years, the club had been dormant for some time. The idea first started gaining traction again towards the end of my sophomore year, and it was at the beginning of my junior year when I saw these ideas really come to fruition. 

Over the past few months, we have made huge strides in establishing our tight-knit Filipino family on campus, and I’m honored to have been even a small part in that. This past semester, I served on the leadership team of PFC as the Social Media Manager and have gotten to help plan some of our first few events of the year. 

For instance, our kickoff dinner this past September was super successful. I remember walking out of it being so incredibly happy—“just good vibes” was the phrase that I used to describe the feeling to my friends. Even more significantly, it was also cool to meet a ton of other Filipino undergraduates, graduate students, and faculty alike. I’ve gained so many more familiar faces to say hi to around campus and, for that, I’m grateful!

During our club events, we partake in all the classic activities of our country: from Halo-Halo making; to creating traditional Filipino Christmas lanterns known as parols; and, of course, singing karaoke! Our meetings are also always filled with delicious, authentic Filipino food, so it’s the perfect time to experience a taste of home while at college. Not to mention, all these things are funded by the University! With monetary help from Princeton’s Projects Board, the funding branch of our Undergraduate Student Government (USG), student organizations like ours are really able to thrive.

Though I won’t be serving as an officer next semester, I’m so glad to have been involved in PFC’s revival, and I’m excited to see what else is to come for our club!

Princeton is home to many beautiful coffee shops that are sites of bustling interactions, community building, and personalized comfort spaces. These places — from our beloved Small World to our unique Coffee Club —frequently witness a diverse crowd of students, faculty, staff, and visitors alike. From freshly brewed teas to seasonal specialties, a variety of drinks can be found in the hands of loyal customers who indulge in the comforting flavors of their beverage of choice. Indeed, as people flutter in and out of these shops, it becomes clear that coffee is more than just a drink — it is a treat for the exhausted, a buffer between introductions, and a medium to bring community together.

9:01 am: In the mornings, the smell of freshly brewed coffee wafts in the air as tired customers head to their shop of choice. As an observer, I watch as greetings and goodbyes intertwine with other chatter. This chatter is rich in substance as students check in with one other, make plans for the week, and navigate the highs and lows of college. There will be students who silently take out their laptops and start working while others will hastily say their goodbyes as they rush to their first class of the day. The crowd ebbs and flows but the mornings in the coffee shops are always filled with life.

12:31 pm: In the afternoons, things seem to be more calm. There is a stillness that seems to anticipate the incoming chaos. Soon, the afternoon lethargy catches up to the early risers and the coffee shops of Princeton become a blur. Orders are repeated, customer names are yelled, and this whole process repeats itself until the midday rush subsides to a peaceful swell.  

3:00 pm: One by one, I can see groups of people come in — coffee shops are now a space where people can work on projects together, study with one another, or simply exist in the presence of others. Coffee is no longer just a pick-me-up, but rather, a symbol for the shared experience that fellow Princeton students go through as they attempt to finish their work. 

6:00 pm: As the night falls and the shops prepare to close, people begin to leave one by one. Farewells are exchanged and tomorrow, the creak of the door will signify the start to a new day.

At Princeton, coffee shops host a vibrant, bustling, culture where people can come together. They are at the crux of our shared experiences as fellow Princeton students, staff, faculty, residents, and visitors are able to undergo an experience that connects us to each other in this quaint college town. Indeed, these shared experiences are a product of our environment; Princeton’s medium-sized campus, rigorous academic environment, and yet its social desire for connection are forged together in the many local coffee shops found nearby. There is something special about being able to feel like there is a place ready to accommodate everybody for every purpose — here at Princeton, whether you visit these sites to grab a sweet drink or to meet others, you’re always in for a treat.

Prior to college I led my large public high school’s Model United Nations (MUN) team to various regional and national competitions. MUN, much like other intellectually-centered competition clubs, attracts striver-type students who enjoy the intellectual rigor, attention, and accolades associated with the activity. Many of the students on my team and on teams across the country aimed for and eventually attended rigorous colleges and universities across the country, in part because of the competitie drive that motivated their academic and co-curricular discipline. 

When I arrived at Princeton, I naively assumed that most of my classmates would resemble the students I encountered at these competitions. Those kids, who wanted to stand out in the sea of thousands of young adults, were fiercely competitive. 

What I discovered once I stepped on campus was that Princeton students however—even the ones who participated in MUN like myself—were a different story: 

The folks I sat next to in lecture, who I caught glances of while they messaged their friends under the guise of notetaking, giggled with when our Professors unknowingly said something humorous, or commiserated with at the end of a difficult discussion, became the basis of my first study groups. Our time together transformed from brief moments of connectivity in class to hours of tackling our work under the bright lights of the Butler College lounge.

What I found in my first few in-person classes was the spirit of collective action that is a defining trait of Princeton’s student life. This is in part enabled by the structure of Princeton’s academics which provides a framework for students to see one another as collaborators instead of competition. Princeton’s Honor Code is the backbone of academic life and it is the set of regulations that protect academic integrity in our classes. In the case of most of my classes, students were not just permitted but encouraged to collaborate with peers to complete assignments. In the case of my Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) classes, this took the form of informal Problem Set (PSet) groups. In the evenings, we would meet in a study room to cover course material and propose solutions to our PSET problems. In my non-STEM classes, my classmates and I would share course notes with one another and, at times, discuss our readings following class.

This is not to say that all of my classmates are my best friends. What stands out to me, even more than the close friendships that have formed through academic life, is the mutual respect my classmates hold for one another in supporting their academic journey. This mutual respect is definitely a privilege: I think students at Princeton can lessen their competitive selves because they perceive their status as a Princetonian as ensuring some level of security in the years beyond. Perhaps this sense of security empowers students to be gentler to one another in an environment that can, at times, keep us pretty busy.

The humming seats of Firestone Library have been the launchpad for some of my treasured relationships here and the subtler interactions between my peers provide me a feeling of comfort that I am truly appreciate of.

What do I want to do this summer? 

I kept asking myself this question over sophomore year. The past two summers I had studied abroad and worked a retail job in my hometown, but I knew, going into my junior year, that I wanted to do something explicitly related to my career. 

I want to go to law school. In a perfect world, I work as a Staff Attorney at the ACLU in their Immigrants’ Rights Unit. I am drawn to issues pertaining to detention centers and citizenship rights, and I wanted what I did over the summer to, in some capacity, address that.

This is why I chose to work for the RISE community partner CANY. CANY, or the Correctional Association of New York, is a non-profit promoting criminal justice reform. They conduct independent monitoring and oversight of all 44 New York State correctional facilities to improve transparency, identify harmful practices, and decrease incarceration across the state. With grounding values of respect, justice, and anti-racism, I was immediately drawn to CANY’s mission. 

I was on the Monitoring and Reporting Team, which organizes visits to correctional facilities, formulates standardized surveys to send out to incarcerated individuals, and is responsible for correspondence with incarcerated individuals and their loved ones. As an intern, I connected incarcerated individuals to social and legal services, conducted one-on-one interviews, and built CANY’s volunteer database to expand the facility visit program.

The environment was incredibly supportive, but the work was hard. While my supervisors were considerate of my time, communicated expectations clearly, and gave ample opportunities to ask questions, the material was heavy. Daily, I sifted through testimony about the abuses incarcerated individuals faced in facilities hundreds of miles away from their families. When working with organizations addressing issues of racial injustice and other inequalities, one can feel inundated with all the bad in the world. RISE gave me an opportunity to look at the nonprofit work I wanted to be involved in, and ask myself if I could handle it mentally and emotionally. 

This was a critical challenge to face. Through support from my co-workers, I learned to establish boundaries between myself and my work. Through generous funding from RISE, I was able to afford living in New York City with two of my best friends (also RISE fellows and PICS interns!). I learned ways to recharge – taking weekend trips to meet friends, cooking dinner with my roommates, or calling family back home. It was a summer to experience a new kind of independence, a taste of what post-grad could be, and affirmation that the service-focused professional world was where I wanted to be. 

To anyone considering the RISE program – reflect on what matters to you. Identify community organizations that align with your values, and push yourself to face the challenges that accompany new professional and personal experiences. Being a member of the Princeton community comes with the responsibility of serving communities beyond just our own. RISE gives us a unique opportunity to do just that.

There’s always something going on at Princeton: a paper due at 11:59 PM, Triangle Club trying to sell the last few tickets for their upcoming show, a friend making dinner plans. There is a certain join in the busyness. With that being said, I believe it’s also important to find some peace.

In my case, I find peace with the Princeton Presbyterians. We gather for worship service (also known as “Breaking Bread”) every Sunday at 6:30 PM in Nassau Presbyterian Church. We also meet every Monday for Small Group in Murray Dodge Hall to discuss biblical themes. Our services are open to undergraduate and graduate students, while our small groups are only to undergraduate students. But regardless, we are inclusive of all faith backgrounds.

I first learned about Princeton Presbyterians last April, while working as a Community Action Fellow with the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. While I knew many of the prospective orientation leaders from my residential college (Forbes College), one is particular I knew because she performs improv comedy with someone from my Zee Group. Yet I was surprised that one of my fellow Community Action Fellows also knew her through Princeton Presbyterians. After learning more about the group, I agreed to go with my coworker to church that Sunday.

Initially, I was a bit nervous to go because I belong to a large Baptist church in Somerset, New Jersey. Because of the size our pastor isn’t always accessible. But as soon as I walked into Nassau Presbyterian Church, the pastors welcomed me with open arms. They're always excited to learn more about the classes and student organizations I'm in, and they are very accommodating of my sensory and dietary needs. My pastors are more than willing to meet me outside of church as well, taking me out to Small World or Bent Spoon for conversation. These acts of kindness, to some students, may sound small but combined they show that Princeton Presbyterians consistently see us as people and cares.

We also have monthly dinners after service that allow us to know each other better. And know them, I do. Even if I don’t see certain students at “Breaking Bread” for a few weeks, it feels like time never passes when we’re together. I know that they will always make me laugh, smile, and think more critically about my relationship with God--and I am happy to do the same for them.

Joining Princeton Presbyterians was, by far, the best decision I made in April of my freshman year. I am not only proud to bond with students over our shared faith in God, but proud to belong to a small, close-knit family that accepts each other for who we are.

I belong to a family who brings me peace at Princeton no matter what mood I’m in.

When I was researching and applying to colleges my senior year, it was important for me to have a Muslim community on campus – a place that I could be accepted and be supported with my identity as a practicing Muslim woman. And while I am thankful to attend Princeton for many reasons, it is the Muslim community here on campus that has had the greatest impact on my experience here.

The Muslim community on campus is smaller than other religious groups, but we are a closely knit family. There isn’t a day that I don’t go to Murray-Dodge, the Office of Religious Life on campus, to see my friends and snack on the free cookies in the basement. As Muslims are obligated to pray five times a day, I am often running to – as it is affectionately known to many of us on campus – “MD” to quickly catch a congregated prayer in the prayer room on the third floor.

I am also the Events Coordinator for the Muslim Students Association, which is an organization I love dearly. Our events range from Muslim Monologues, an open-mic style event to invite members of the community to discuss various aspects of their faith, to more casual events of community cooking and ummah nights. I look forward to Friday afternoons the most, to the weekly Jummah prayer, where the corresponding sermon revitalizes both my spirit and heart – and there are always samosas after.

Another of my favorite times throughout the year is the month of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting, reflection, and prayer. Prior to my first Ramadan on campus last year, I was concerned about how I would practice my faith under the day-to-day workload of Princeton. I can now say that was the least of my concerns – the previous Ramadan ended up being the most spiritual and community-focused Ramadan of my life! From breaking my fast daily with friends to late nights in the Frist MPR in prayer, it was an experience that felt both completing and connecting. Many of my professors were aware of Ramadan and were also very understanding with extended deadlines and general aid. As I write this, I am even more excited for the upcoming Ramadan.

Truly, without the Muslim community, I would not have been able to call the Princeton campus home. They are my family here, and I love each of them dearly – even when they distract me from work. Feel free to come to any of our meetings, Muslim or not, as we simply are a community with a love of love to give.  

Luke Hixson '25

Prior to Princeton, I served five years in the Navy as a Fleet Marine Force Corpsman attached to 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. I’m currently a Junior in the Department of Neuroscience, a researcher in the Peña Lab, and a member of the Glorious Tiger Inn. After graduating from Princeton, I plan to attend medical school.

Community

Princeton University is more than just a “prestigious institution;" it's a place where diverse communities come together to foster growth, inclusion, and support – a place where veterans can find an understanding and appreciative environment to transition back into civilian life while pursuing their academic dreams. The warm embrace I received from the Emma Bloomberg Center, fellow student-veterans, and the extensive resources available here made my transition from the military to academia seamless. But it doesn't stop there. Princeton's broader community is equally exceptional, nurturing a culture of collaboration and intellectual curiosity. The friendships I've formed with students from all walks of life have enriched my educational experience beyond measure. So, Why Princeton? It's the unique combination of a strong student-veteran community and the vibrant, inclusive spirit of Princeton as a whole. It's a place where I can grow academically, personally, and socially.

Victor Reynoso '26

I am from the West City of Puerto, Mayaguez. I left Puerto Rico when I enlisted in the U.S. Marines at 17 years old. I received an early Honorable Discharge from the Marine Corps so I could pursue my education at Princeton. I started here last year as a 22-year-old freshman, and I am a dog-dad of the two cutest dogs you will ever meet, and excited about the opportunities that Princeton offers me to explore my areas of interest before deciding on which major to pursue.

Academics

If I had to articulate what it is like to be a Princeton student, I would say that Princeton has the same mentality my drill instructors had; we train how we fight. In this regard, to Princeton, it is paramount that students receive a rigorous education, emulative of great real-world challenges. To better explain this, I can say that as a low-income student, I had never taken a computer science class before Princeton. However, three weeks after I started my first class at Princeton, we were asked to program a simulation of the solar system that took into consideration mass and gravitational forces. To be candid, this programming assignment had the most massive learning curve I’ve ever tackled. Nevertheless, it had to get done. So, I went to office hours, and I did not leave until it was finished – I refused to believe there was an “impossible” assignment. Personally, I think, that’s what Princeton is all about, constantly doing novel things that seemed impossible just three weeks ago. So, yes, Princeton academics can be grueling at moments, but they're also inspiring and stimulating. What's more, at Princeton, you are never alone, and someone is always willing to help. That's why I would not have it any other way.   

Minh Truong '27

During high school, at 17 years old I enlisted in the Army National Guard and have been with the state of Pennsylvania for four years. I am still drilling monthly with my state and have two years left with the Army. I was accepted into Princeton's Class of 2025 but deferred for two years for Army training and a deployment last year. I just came back to join the Class of 2027 as a first-year. I plan to major in Economics and minor in Visual Arts, maybe also Finance, and am considering law school after graduation.

Co-curriculars

Students at Princeton can choose to participate in clubs and student organizations that allow for professional and personal development outside of the classroom, which I have found to be very rewarding and also practical.

The University is very generous in its support of student co-curricular organizations; this allows for very well-organized clubs run by students and community members who are genuinely committed to and passionate about their activities.

Clubs can vary widely based on interest, with everything from pre-professional, to sports, to affinity, to hobby-based. I am involved with a business club and a finance club, both of which provide me with valuable professional development opportunities, such as regular conversations with industry leaders, working on an endowed project, trips to national business conferences, networking, etc. I am also involved in a badminton club, and a literary publishing club for which I am a book cover artist. These spaces allow me to explore personal interests outside of academics that engage my hobbies in structured and funded environments.

All the co-curricular programming available on campus is diverse yet accommodating and void of superficiality. Commitment-intensive clubs require applications and interviews that single out those who really want to commit themselves to the organizations, while other groups are more low-key and open to all. Being a service member has been a great asset in these spaces; the experiences, knowledge, and work ethic obtained in the military sets veterans far apart from others in their potential contributions to these communities. So far it has been very rewarding to commit myself to activities that allow growth beyond the classroom, and I highly encourage those considering Princeton to look at all these offered opportunities.

Kenneth Simmons '27

I was the product of a military family and my parents decided to settle down in Fayetteville, North Carolina. When I enlisted in the Army, I knew that I needed to mature and grow as a person. I had the privilege to work as a laboratory technician and medic in Special Operations and in clinical settings. The lessons I learned were invaluable to me taking the next step in my career. 

After separating from the Army after 14 years of service, I began my pursuit of higher education and enrolled in community college. This past summer I graduated from Fayetteville Technical Community College with my associates degree in science. I plan to major in philosophy here at Princeton, with the hopes of attending law school where I will begin a career in ethics for emerging technology. 

Support Resources

I chose Princeton for many reasons; the sense that I would be welcomed into the Princeton Community and that accommodations were made for non-traditional/veteran students were among those deciding factors. As a parent, dog parent, and 14-year Army Veteran, I knew I would be very different from my classmates. At Princeton, there are many resources to make your transition out of the military and into higher education seamless, unlike any other institution I applied to. You have the option to live on campus in the undergraduate residential colleges, or if you have a family and pets, you can opt to live in graduate housing or off campus. This flexibility addresses a significant component of any student’s success–ensuring that things are okay at home. My two dogs Cali and Cloud, enjoy going on walks and admiring campus, and it is normal to bump into classmates and professors and strike up a conversation. Princeton also has world-class physical and mental health services, ensuring my physical and mental health needs are addressed. Thank you, Princeton, for knocking down barriers to education and allowing me to share my talents with this community.

Editor's note: A few other resources include the transfer and veteran programming though the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, the Writing Center, professors' office hours, advising in the residential college offices, and the Center for Career Development.

Andres Solorzano '27

I am from Long Beach, California. Before attending Princeton, I enlisted into the United States Army in 2016 and served in various components of the Army until the beginning of this year. I was a M1 Armor Crewman in the 1st Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. 

I am a first generation Guatemalan-American student. I am grateful to Princeton for giving me an opportunity unlike anything I could have ever dreamed of. I am looking forward to being challenged in the coming years, and I am ready to grow academically and personally alongside the amazing students here on campus. Upon graduating from Princeton, I plan on immediately pursuing an advanced degree. 

Financial Aid

Applying to Princeton can be very daunting. There is a lot of uncharted territory to navigate, particularly for student veterans. One of the biggest questions is always: “How will I be able to pay for this?” There’s no way I can afford it so why even bother applying, right? Wrong! Last year, Princeton enhanced its financial aid policy, guaranteeing independent students and families with incomes up to $100,000 a year will pay nothing.

Let’s not forget your earned educational benefits. Your GI Bill? Save that for graduate school! You do not have to utilize your benefits unless you decide that you want to use them. Many factors go into deciding where you will go to college, but don’t let money be a barrier--at Princeton, it isn’t anymore. Financial aid is one of the many ways we experience this university's recognition of the great value that veteran students bring to the campus population.