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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." That's because Princeton students emphasize that "Academics come first," which is typified by "a tendency to overwork" and dedication to studying. "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." This variety means that it's actually "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...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." Though students gush that "the campus is gorgeous year round," 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."

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Deborah DeRosa
Admission Visit Manager

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

Phone
6092583060

Email
visitus@princeton.edu

Experience College Life

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

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

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
Monday-Sunday
9am-5pm (summer hours 8:30am-4:30pm)
6092583060

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 1 hour

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
No

Information Sessions
Available

Times
Monday through Friday; in-person and virtual

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available

Arrangements
Contact Athletic Department

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Varies

Arrangements
Students may contact academic departments directly.

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

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 connecting trip to campus described below); A1 Limo or a taxi/ride hail service (Lyft/Uber) is available for the trip to campus. 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 or SEPTA?s Trenton Line to the Trenton Transit Center and transfer to NJ Transit?s Northeast Corridor train service to Princeton Junction. Rental cars are available at both airports. Limited Amtrak train service to Princeton Junction is available through NYC and through Philadelphia. From Princeton Junction the Princeton campus: NJ Transit?s Princeton Branch service, a 1-car train known as the Dinky, makes the 5-minute trip to Princeton. (Note: The Dinky does not meet every train; please check NJ Transit?s schedules online or by contacting customer service before making plans.) On weekdays, TigerTransit, Princeton University?s free bus service, will pick up and drop off University students, commuting staff and faculty, and those traveling to Princeton on University business or campus visits. Please see the TigerTransit webpage for more information. 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
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. Visitor parking is available at Stadium Drive Garage (lat./long. ?40.345037, -74.644822?), with frequent, free TigerTransit bus service to stops on Washington Road, Nassau Street and University Place. Visitors using the garage are asked to register for a daily parking permit. Registration can be done online in advance or at the garage during arrival. On weekends and evenings, visitors may also park in most other University lots and garages. Metered parking is available on streets around campus. Please note, some admissions events may provide alternative parking instructions.

Admissions

Applicants: 39,644
Acceptance Rate: 4%
Average HS GPA: 3.94







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