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See what students say:

Academics

As a member of the grand old Ivy League, Princeton University has long maintained a “sterling reputation” for quality academics; however, students say Princeton’s “unique focus on the undergraduate experience” is what makes their school stand out among institutions. It attracts “really experienced and big-name professors, who actually want to teach undergraduates.” Introductory lecture classes can be rather large, but “once you take upper-level courses, you’ll have a lot of chances to work closely with professors and study what you are most interested in.” A current undergrad enthuses, “The discussions I have in seminar are the reason I get out of bed in the morning; after a great class, I feel incredibly invigorated.” Though all Princeton professors are “leading scholars in their field,” students admit that some classes can be “dry.” Fortunately, “the overwhelming majority of professors are wonderful, captivating lecturers” who are “dedicated to their students.” While you may be taking a class from a Nobel laureate, “the humility and accessibility of world-famous researchers and public figures is always remarkable.” At Princeton, “there are so many chances to meet writers, performers, and professionals you admire.” A student details, “The two years I’ve been here, I’ve been in discussions with Frank Gehry, David Sedaris, Peter Hessler, John McPhee, Jeff Koons, Chang-rae Lee, Joyce Carol Oates, W.S. Merwin, and on and on.” No matter what you study, Princeton is an “intellectually challenging place,” and the student experience is “intense in almost every way.” Hard work pays off, though “the academic caliber of the school is unparalleled,” and a Princeton education is “magnificently rewarding.”

Student Body

It’s not surprising that most undergraduates are “driven, competitive, and obsessed with perfection.” “Academics come first,” and Princeton students are typified by dedication to their studies and “a tendency to overwork.” “Almost everyone at Princeton is involved with something other than school about which they are extremely passionate,” and most have “at least one distinct, remarkable talent.” “It’s fairly easy for most people to find a good group of friends with whom they have something in common,” and many students get involved in one of the “infinite number of clubs” on campus. Superficially, “the preppy Ivy League stereotype” is reflected in the student population, and many students are “well-spoken,” “dress nicely,” and stay in shape. A student jokes, “Going to Princeton is like being in a contest to see who can be the biggest nerd while simultaneously appearing least nerdy.”

Campus Life

Princeton students “tend to participate in a lot of different activities, from varsity sports (recruits), intramural sports (high school athletes), and more academically restricted activities like autonomous vehicle design club, Engineers Without Borders, and the literary magazine.” In and out of the classroom, there are a “billion opportunities to do what you know you love” on the Princeton campus, from performance to sports to research. “Princeton offers a lot of different opportunities to relax and de-stress,” including “sporting events, concerts, recreational facilities,” “a movie theater that frequently screens current films for free,” and “arts and crafts at the student center.” For some, social life is centered along Prospect Avenue, where “Princeton’s eating clubs are lined up like ten booze-soaked ducklings in a row.” These eating clubs—private houses that serve as social clubs and cafeterias for upperclassmen—“play a large role in the social scene at the university.” On the weekends, “the eating clubs are extremely popular for partying, chatting, drinking, and dancing”—not to mention, “free beer.” “The campus is gorgeous year-round”; however, when students need a break from the college atmosphere, “there’s NJ Transit if you want to go to New York, Philly, or even just the local mall.”

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Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Janet Lavin Rapelye
Dean of Admission

Address
Admissions Office
P.O. Box 430
Princeton, NJ 08542-0430

Phone
6092583060


Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Nassau Hall
Firestone Library
McCarter Theater
University Art Museum
University Chapel
Frist Campus Center

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Washington's Crossing (Delaware River)
Institute for Advanced Study
Jersey Shore
Access to cities: New York and Philadelphia
Waterfront Park

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Friday
8:45am-5pm (summer hours 8:30am-4:30pm)
6092583060

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: No
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Monday through Friday and most fall Saturdays

Faculty and Coach Visits

Arrangements
Contact Athletic Department

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Varies


Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Limitations
N/A

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Newark and Philadelphia International Airports are an hour from campus. From the Newark Airport, NJ Transit trains stop near the airport (take monorail from terminals) and disembark at Princeton Junction (take Dinky described below); A1 Limo or Princeton Airporter is available for the trip to campus. Princeton Airporter courtesy phones are located at the airport terminal's limousine counters. The vans take passengers to the Nassau Inn, one block from the university. From the Philadelphia Airport, take either a limousine or the airport shuttle train to Philadelphia's 30th St. Station; from there, take an Amtrak train to Princeton Junction. Rental cars are available at both airports. Amtrak train service to Princeton Junction is available through NYC and through Philadelphia. From Princeton Junction the Princeton Shuttle, a 1-car train (known as the Dinky), makes the 5-minute trip to Princeton. (Note: The Dinky does not meet every train; contact New Jersey Transit for a current schedule before making plans.) Bus service to Princeton is provided by New Jersey's Suburban Transit Corporation; every half hour throughout the day, buses leave NYC's Port Authority terminal for Princeton. The same schedule is followed for buses from Princeton to NYC.

Driving Instructions to Campus
(For a recording of travel instructions to campus, call 609-258-2222) From north and south, take the New Jersey Tpke. to Exit 8 (Hightstown) and follow signs for Hightstown, then for Princeton. (Note that the NJ Tpke. is coincident with I-95 from central to northern New Jersey.) From the Philadelphia area, you also can take I-95 N. to U.S. 1 N. Follow U.S. 1 to the Hightstown/Princeton circle, and follow signs to Princeton. From the west, the Pennsylvania Tpke. (I-76, then I-276 E.) connects to the NJ Tpke.; take the NJ Tpke. north to Exit 8 (Hightstown) and follow signs for Hightstown, then for Princeton. For a recording of instructions to campus, call 609-258-2222.

Local Accommodations
The Peacock Inn (20 Bayard Lane, at the junction of Rte. 206 and Nassau St.; 609-924-1707) is a historic country inn with simple accommodations for overnight visitors. Rates for its 17 rooms range from moderate to expensive. Nassau Inn (10 Palmer Square; 609-921-7500) is within walking distance of the university, but it's expensive. The closest and cheapest motel is the MacIntosh Inn (3270 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville; 609-896-3700), 5 miles from campus. About the same distance away is Red Roof Inn (3203 Brunswick Pike, Lawrenceville; 609-896-3388). The Hyatt Regency Princeton (102 Carnegie Ctr.; 609-987-1234), only 4 miles away, has special rates for Princeton visitors.
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Admissions

Applicants: 31,056
Acceptance Rate: 6%
Average HS GPA: 3.89






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