How to Get Into Princeton University
Many of our students pine for admission to top schools, such as those in the Ivy League. Gaining admission is notoriously difficult, and every year, admission rates decline further. With that said, admission is not impossible. Read on to learn how you can separate yourself from the competition, and gain acceptance to schools like Princeton.
Princeton Overview
Princeton, established in 1746, is known as the oldest university in the United States. It’s one of the highest ranked universities in the world, nestled in Princeton, New Jersey. In 1896, the college changed its original name, College of New Jersey, Princeton University, the present name of the university, named after Prince William of Orange and Balck. Princeton University then adopted the informal motto “Princeton in the nation’s service,” the title of the keynote speech by professor Woodrow Wilson.
“Princeton University advances learning through scholarship, research, and teaching of unsurpassed quality, with an emphasis on undergraduate and doctoral education that is distinctive among the world’s great universities, and with a pervasive commitment to serve the nation and the world..” — Princeton University
How Difficult is it to Gain Admission to Princeton?
It is extremely difficult to gain admission to Princeton University. The average unweighted GPA of accepted students is 3.9, which requires nearly straight As. Meanwhile, the average SAT score of accepted students sits at 1505.
While the school is extremely selective, chances of admission increase drastically for students that have completed a passion project, research, and that have compelling essays.
We recommend scheduling an initial consultation to discuss crafting a successful application.
What was Princeton’s Acceptance Rate in 2022?
Princeton’s withheld the acceptance rate data for the Class of 2026. However, data from past years gives some indication of the fierce level of competition: There were 37,601 applications submitted for the Class of 2025; just 1,498 were accepted. This means that the school had an acceptance rate of 3.98%.
This means that admission to school is fiercely competitive. For those with certain racial demographics, or international students, the numbers look even lower.
What is Princeton Looking For?
Princeton is looking for students who will become leaders in any discipline that they pursue. The admissions website is straightforward: “We look for students with intellectual curiosity, who have pursued and achieved academic excellence. We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments.”
Princeton is looking for students that have taken advantage of what their community has to offer, and will excel in these interests as they move to higher education.
“We look for students who make a difference in their schools and communities, so tell us about your leadership activities, interests, special skills and other extracurricular involvements. Tell us if you’ve had a job or a responsibility in your home. Most Princeton students were academic standouts in high school. Most of them also invested their energy and talents in significant ways outside the classroom. We want to know what you care about, what commitments you have made and what you’ve done to act on those commitments.” - Princeton Admissions
This excerpt from the admissions office is important, as being an academic standout is not sufficient for admission; rather, students should also have an application that reflects talent, leadership, and impact outside of the classroom. Special attention should be spent toward ensuring that students stand out, as seemingly perfect applicants are turned away each admissions cycle.
How do I Submit an Application?
Princeton University uses the Common Application, and will request information regarding the following:
Family Information
Education History
Test Scores (Optional)
Extracurricular Activities
Personal Statement
Princeton-specific Questions
Supplemental Writing
What are Princeton’s GPA Requirements?
Princeton admission officers will look most closely to the unweighted GPA, not the weighted GPA. This is because of the variability of different schools’ curriculums. Students with an unweighted GPA of 4.0, and a class rank in the top 5%, have the best chance of getting accepted. A class rank of top 10% is nearly mandatory barring exceptional hooks.
Does Princeton Require AP or IB?
Students are strongly encouraged to take a rigorous, renowned academic curriculum such as AP, IB, or A Levels. If your school does not offer such courses, you are advised to self-study and take the exams independently.
What are Princeton’s Standardized Testing Requirements?
Ivy Brothers recommends sending test scores, unless they are abysmally low, as our data suggests that students who submit their test scores, even if slightly low, fare better in the admission process than those who don’t. This is especially true for students that are unhooked. For reference, unhooked means that the student doesn’t have a compelling admission advantage, such as being a recruited athlete or a child of a donor.
Students may submit either the SAT or ACT, and there is no advantage to one over the other.
What are Princeton’s SAT Requirements?
The minimum SAT score needed for Princeton is 1440, the 25th percentile. However, at Ivy Brothers, we suggest that students score in the 75th percentile for their desired school; for Princeton, this would mean an SAT score of 1570.
*SAT requirements are liable to change in future admission cycles
What are Princeton’s ACT Requirements?
The minimum ACT score needed for Princeton is 32, the 25th percentile. However, at Ivy Brothers, we suggest that students score in the 75th percentile for their desired school; for Princeton, this would mean an ACT score of 35.
*SAT requirements are liable to change in future admission cycles
What are Princeton’s English Language Proficiency Requirements?
Princeton requires a strong, fluent knowledge of English. Proficiency exams are not required, but international students are welcome to submit them, such as TOEFL or IELTS.
What are Princeton’s Common App Essay Prompts for 2022-23?
Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma-anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.
These prompts are intended for admission officers to better understand your background, goals, character, integrity, and other positive characteristics. The essay should be vulnerable, and should be unique. One of the biggest pitfalls we see in students’ essays is the topic being cliché and dull. To see some examples of successful essays, please schedule a virtual consultation with us.
What are Princeton’s Supplemental Essay Prompts for 2022-23?
For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided
As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
For B.S.E Degree Applicants
Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)
Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience
Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in 150 words or fewer.)
Your Voice
Please respond to each question in an essay of 250 words or fewer.
At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?
Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.
More About You
Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!
What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
What brings you joy?
What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?
“Tell us your story. Show us what’s special about you. Tell us how you would seize the academic and nonacademic opportunities at Princeton and contribute to the Princeton community. Above all, please write in a style that reflects your own voice.” - Princeton Admissions
What are Princeton’s Extracurricular Activity Requirements?
Princeton’s seeks students who will be engaged in their community or field of interest, and will make an impact on campus and beyond. This is an area where many students go wrong. You should develop a spiked passion in a particular field of interest. Here are some examples of extra-curricular activities of past, successful students in the admission process:
Started a Small Business
Deep Convolutional Neural Network for Predictions of Several Aspects of Trees with respect to Air Quality via Ardunio Sensors
Created a Novel Technique to Write and Run Neural Networks in C on x86_64 CPU Architecture
Wrote a Research Paper on Climate Policy in China versus Taiwan and Submitted to the Journal of East Asian Studies
ISEF Finalist
USACO Gold
Quantified Human Lung Toxicity During Space Travel by Regolith in Project Funded by NASA
Create a Literary Journal that Focuses on Mental Health
These are examples of top-tier extracurricular activities. If your activities do not resemble something similar, then we suggest scheduling a consultation to learn how we can create a game plan for your activity section. It is important to schedule a consultation to tackle this part of the process sooner rather than later. You don’t want to look as if you are doing projects last minute just for the college application.
What are Princeton’s Application Deadlines?
Single-Choice Early Action: November 1st
Regular Decision: January 1st
Does my Race or Ethnicity Affect my Acceptance Rate at Princeton?
Yes, Princeton considers race and ethnicity. Students who identify as East Asian, Southeast Asian, or South Asian have significantly more difficult chances at admission. Many of our students fall into this category, and we make it our mission to help them stand out in a highly competitive pool.
This is backed by data from the National Centre for Education Statistics. Below is a graph that shows how, even as the Asian American population increases, the % of enrolled students has remained constant at top schools.
Does my Choice of Major Affect my Acceptance Rate at Princeton?
Yes, Princeton will compare you to other students who are seeking similar majors. In general, students will face the highest level of competition, and lowest acceptance rates, in majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, Mathematics, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics. This is especially true since the school has one of the best programs in the sciences.
What is the Average Salary of a Graduate of Princeton University?
Princeton graduates, on average, make $113,900 ten years after finishing undergrad. This number is dependent on the choice of major and career. The top 10 percent of Princeton grads are making upwards of $250,000 by the time they're 32, and graduates who enter fields like consulting, technology, or finance regularly make a starting salary of $120,000 to $200,000.
For all students, the price of professional help in the admission process is well worth it in terms of return on investment. The last thing you want is for your student’s hard work in high school to go to waste.
Final Thoughts
Gaining admission to top schools is not an easy feat. Princeton is looking for students who will contribute positively to their campus, upholding the school’s values, and who are ambitious and yearn to contribute to their field of interest.
Ivy Brothers helps students to stand out in the competitive admission process through one-on-one mentorship. Schedule an initial consultation to learn how we help students achieve their educational and career goals.
