international students, and they fully take part in academics, extracurricular activities, study abroad and other elements of a Princeton education. International students are also eligible for Princeton ‘s financial aid policy, which provides grants instead of loans, allowing students to graduate debt-free. Princeton also considers home-schooled applicants.
How does the university weigh GPA, SAT scores, extracurricular activities and college essay and recommendations during the application process?
Princeton ‘s application process is a holistic one – the admission staff reviews each application individually to get a sense of the student’s strengths. That being said, a student’s intellectual curiosity and academic excellence are the most heavily weighted factors. Grades, test scores and teacher references provide a multi-faceted way to evaluate a student’s academic abilities. We also examine the student’s record of integrity and leadership, distinctive extracurricular talents and personality in selecting an interesting mix of individuals for each class.
What is the student-teacher ratio?
The ratio of students to teachers is 5 to 1. Princeton ‘s full-time faculty is made up of professors who are leaders in their fields, including Pulitzer Prize—winners and Nobel Laureates. Since Princeton is focused on undergraduates teaching, all professors are required to teach in addition to conducting research. Students have extensive access to professors outside of class, whether it’s through casual conversations over meals, during office hours or through academic advising. Additionally, all students are required to complete an independent research project in their senior year, working in close contact with a faculty adviser.
What is the university’s housing situation like? Is it difficult for freshman/sophomores to get housing?
Princeton guarantees on-campus housing for all four undergraduate years, and most students (98%) live on campus for all four years. For the freshman and sophomore years, students are assigned to a residential college, a supportive community for living, dining, academic and social experiences. The residential college also includes facilities such as lounges, libraries, computer clusters, dance and art studios, theaters and game rooms. In the junior and senior years, students may choose to remain in a residential college or move to an upperclass dormitory while still participating in activities within their residential college.
How active is the college in helping students find internships and full-time jobs?
Princeton has many resources available for students who are interested in finding internships and full-time jobs. Our Office of Career Services helps students with identifying a career and then offers numerous services through which students can pursue their plans. The office coordinates campus job fairs and recruiting, maintains a database of employment opportunities and connects students to alumni in their field of interest. In addition, the University offers funding and assistance for international and service internships, as well as specialized advising for students interested in the business, health, legal and teaching professions.