Chartered in 1746, Princeton University, a member of the Ivy League, is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. It was originally known as the College of New Jersey and was officially renamed Princeton University in 1896. Princeton’s latest institutional profile reports approximately 5,826 undergraduate students for the 2025–26 academic year and 3,280 graduate degree candidates for the 2024–25 academic year.
Each year, many students apply for a place at Princeton. For 2025–26 undergraduate admission, Princeton reported 42,303 applicants and 1,868 admitted students. Prospective students should prepare their academic records, recommendations, required written materials, and details about relevant accomplishments. Because Princeton is highly selective, applicants should present their experiences clearly and in context.
In this article, we provide a step-by-step guide and practical tips for applying to Princeton University.
Admissions Process at Princeton University
Below is a list of steps for students preparing an application to Princeton. Applicants should always review the official requirements for their applicant type and intended admission cycle because policies and deadlines may change.
Step 1. Follow the Application Checklist
Whether applying for undergraduate or graduate study, applicants should read the relevant application guidance carefully to make sure they are on the right track.
The undergraduate application checklist can be found on the university’s official website. Graduate applicants should review the Graduate School’s Prepare Your Application and Apply pages. After submitting a graduate application, applicants can view their application checklist and manage recommenders through the applicant portal.
Step 2. Pay the Application Fee
Princeton charges a nonrefundable application fee of $75 for undergraduate and graduate applications. For undergraduate applicants, all lower-income students and applicants who are serving or have served in the U.S. military are eligible for the Princeton-specific fee waiver. Graduate applicants may be eligible to request a fee waiver based on criteria such as financial hardship, participation in an eligible program, or attendance at a qualifying recruiting event or virtual workshop. Graduate applicants should review the Graduate School’s fee-waiver page for the complete criteria.
Step 3. Prepare your Documents
Required documents vary by applicant type and, for graduate applicants, by degree program. First-year undergraduate applicants must submit the Common Application, the Princeton-specific Questions, an application fee or fee waiver, and a graded written paper. They must also request an official transcript, a School Report, a counselor recommendation, two teacher recommendations, and a midyear School Report. Graduate applicants should review their field-specific admission requirements. Common graduate application elements include an academic statement of purpose, a personal statement, a résumé or curriculum vitae, letters of recommendation, transcripts, and any required testing or writing sample.
First-year undergraduate applications become available in mid-August. The main application deadline is Nov. 1 for single-choice early action and Jan. 1 for regular decision. The optional Arts Supplement is due Nov. 6 for single-choice early action and Jan. 8 for regular decision. Applicants preparing optional portfolios or requesting recommendation letters should follow the applicable checklist and deadlines.
The graduate application opens in September for admission beginning in the fall term of the following academic year. The graduate application process is fully electronic, but deadlines vary by degree program. Graduate applicants upload unofficial transcripts during the application process. Applicants who accept an offer of admission must submit final official transcripts later. Always check Princeton’s graduate admission page for the current requirements and deadlines.
Step 4. Submit Additional Reports / Examinations
For applicants considering one of the best US universities, testing requirements should be checked for the intended entry year. For first-year and transfer applicants seeking to enroll in fall 2026 or fall 2027, Princeton remains test-optional. Applicants who apply without an SAT or ACT score will not be disadvantaged in the admission process. Beginning with applicants seeking fall 2028 enrollment, Princeton will require SAT or ACT scores, with an exception for active military personnel. For graduate admission, GRE requirements vary by degree program, so applicants should review the requirements for their chosen field carefully.
English-language proficiency requirements also differ for undergraduate and graduate applicants. Undergraduate applicants whose native language is not English and who attend a school where English is not the language of instruction must submit a TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo English Test, or PTE Academic score. Undergraduate applicants are exempt if English is their native language or if they have spent at least three years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction.
Graduate applicants whose primary language is not English may be required to submit TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test scores. Graduate exemptions are defined separately by the Graduate School. PTE Academic is listed as an undergraduate option but is not included in the Graduate School’s current list of accepted English-language proficiency tests.
Step 5. Apply for the Financial Aid Opportunity and Respond to the Admission Offer
Undergraduate applicants seeking need-based financial aid should complete the Princeton Financial Aid Application. The financial aid deadline is Nov. 9 for single-choice early action applicants and Feb. 1 for regular decision applicants. Admitted students who have completed the financial aid application are notified of their financial aid award when they receive their admission offer.
Single-choice early action decisions are released in mid-December, while regular decision notifications are released in late March. Admitted undergraduate applicants must respond to Princeton’s offer by May 1. Graduate applicants should follow the instructions in their admission offer; the Graduate School states that responses to graduate admission offers must be submitted by April 15 at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time.
Tips to Get Into Princeton University
Admission to Princeton is highly competitive. Even applicants with strong academic records should take care to submit a complete and thoughtful application. The following tips reflect Princeton’s published guidance for prospective students.
Tip 1. Portray Your Leadership Skills
Princeton encourages applicants to tell their story, explain how they would use the university’s academic and nonacademic opportunities, and describe how they would contribute to the Princeton community. Applicants should write in their own voice and present their achievements in context.
Princeton also encourages applicants to describe leadership activities, interests, special skills, extracurricular involvement, employment, and responsibilities at home. Applicants should focus on meaningful experiences rather than trying to match a single ideal applicant profile.
Tip 2. Support Your Application with Additional Tests or Portfolios
For applicants seeking fall 2026 or fall 2027 enrollment, SAT and ACT scores are optional. Princeton states that standardized testing is only one part of its comprehensive and holistic review process. Applicants who choose to submit scores should follow Princeton’s official testing instructions. Applicants with relevant artistic accomplishments may also consider submitting an optional Arts Supplement.
Additional materials should strengthen the application and provide relevant context. Applicants should follow Princeton’s instructions carefully rather than submitting unnecessary materials.
Tip 3. Be Engaged in Extracurricular Activities
Princeton considers the talents and interests applicants would bring to the university outside the classroom. The university does not value one type of activity over another. Instead, it looks for sustained commitment and takes particular note of leadership, exceptional talents, and accomplishments. Applicants may also describe jobs, family responsibilities, and other meaningful commitments.
FAQs: Studying at Princeton University
What is the Acceptance Rate Of Princeton University?
For 2025–26 undergraduate admission, Princeton reported 42,303 applicants and 1,868 admitted students. This equals an acceptance rate of approximately 4.4%, or about 1 admitted student for every 23 applicants.
Princeton combines undergraduate teaching with graduate education and research. Applicants should consider academic fit, financial aid, and their personal goals when deciding whether to apply.
Admission to Princeton can be challenging, and the application process requires careful preparation. Applicants should use the official checklists and deadlines, present their achievements in context, and explain how they would contribute to the Princeton community.
For aspiring students who want to get into Princeton or another Ivy League institution, visit our Study in the USA and Available Courses for International Students sections for more information about scholarship and program opportunities.
