Princeton University is a private Ivy League university located in Princeton, New Jersey. It is the fourth-oldest institution of higher education in the United States and one of the nine colonial colleges chartered before the American Revolution.
What is Princeton University?
Princeton University, founded in 1746 in the city of Elizabeth, then known as the College of New Jersey, moved to Newark in 1747. It moved to its current site in 1756, but was not called Princeton University until it became an official university in 1896.
Testing Scores for Admission
According to the college, the average SAT score ranges from 1470 to 1560, while the average ACT score is between 33 and 35. The average unweighted GPA of acceptance is around 3.91 and 91% of students placed in the top decile of their graduating class. As such, GPA is just as important as the main two standardized tests.
Acceptance & Graduation Rate
To get into Princeton, a student’s standardized test scores and high school GPA have to be exceptional. This is reflected in the acceptance rate as it is 4%. However, this school has enrolled some of the brightest students as the graduation rate is 98%.
How Are Applicants Rated?
Princeton considers nine factors as “very important” to the admissions process: rigor of high school course load, class rank. GPA, SAT/ACT scores, essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities. Items that are “considered” as part of the admissions process are: interview, first generation, legacy status, geographical location, ethnicity, volunteer work, and paid work experience.
Tips to Get Into Princeton
- All Ivy Leagues, including Princeton accept the Common App so students should use that to their advantage by filling out the activities section.
- Princeton does not consider “demonstrated interest” so you will not be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc.
- Princeton is looking for genuine excellence in one or more activities. For example, you won a well-regarded physics, chemistry, or math competition, you are one of the top cellists in the United States, you conducted original scientific research with a university professor, or you started a charitable organization that made a significant local, national, or global impact.
- Princeton does invite some qualified applicants to participate in an alumni interview. While this is not a required component of one’s application, students should avail themselves of the opportunity if an interview can be arranged in their geographic area.
How Does Princeton Compare to Other Top Universities?
Princeton’s yield rate is an astoundingly high 82%. They are similar only to schools like MIT, Harvard, and Stanford in this regard. For comparison, elite schools such as Georgetown, Pomona, Bowdoin, Barnard, Vanderbilt, Northwestern, and Duke all have yield rates under 60%. The bottom line is that Princeton is the first choice of the vast majority who apply.
Are you or will you be attending Princeton University?
Stock up on gear to show your pride for the Tigers. Grab this sweatshirt, decals for your laptop, or this Princeton University pennant.
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