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princeton university
United States

Princeton University in the US

Princeton University is a private, Ivy League research university, established in 1746 as the College of New Jersey, and renamed in 1896 – which makes it the fourth oldest academic institution in the United States.

Princeton has the largest endowment per student in the US and is located in New Jersey. This is why is often called the most beautiful campus in North America. 

Students numbers are approximately: 5267 undergraduates and around 2946 graduates. Princeton has a low acceptance rate of 5.5 per cent, so getting in is a real achievement.

It is ranked 7th in the world by the THE and 5th by Forbes, and this stunning, elite and prestigious university has, unsurprisingly, produced 65 Nobel prize winners, 215 Rhodes Scholars, 14 Turing Award winners, two American Presidents, countless billionaires, heads of state, politicians, judges and leading international figures. 

Where is Princeton University situated? Is it convenient?

The university is in the town of that name, with a population of some 30,000, close to both New York and Philadelphia. The campus Dinky Train takes students to Princeton Junction, where they can get an Amtrak to Boston or Washington, or catch a New Jersey Transit directly to Newark International Airport. Certainly, the transport links are excellent and the campus has both a bikeshare and a carshare scheme, as well as regular shuttles around the campus itself. What is more, the town caters to students, but many choose to enjoy nights out in New York, or to take advantage of the events laid on by their college – since Princeton University has a residential college system, similar to that of Oxford and Cambridge.

What is Princeton University famous for, in academic terms?

  • the excellent teaching of its faculty members
  • groundbreaking research
  • outstanding national rankings in every subject, with every Princeton University department featuring in the US Top 10
  • its status as 5th in the world for research citations

Which are the most popular subjects at Princeton University?

  • Social sciences
  • Engineering
  • Biological and biomedical sciences
  • Computer and information sciences
  • Public administration

Does Princeton University have a School of Law?

No.

Princeton University does not have a School of  Business, Law, Medicine or Education. 

What are the rankings of Princeton University?

As we all realise, rankings vary according to the source, but they do give us a clear picture of the academic standards of specific universities. Thus, Princeton University has been consistently ranked first or second for the quality of its teaching over the last 20 years. However, its world ranking varies from 4th to 9th and, in its national rankings, it has been placed 1st in the US for:

  • economics
  • history
  • mathematics
  • sociology

What is the admission policy?

Admissions are processing on a need-blind basis, so that your financial status plays no part in whether or not you are offered a place. Further, it has been recently calculated that 61 percent of students at Princeton University receive financial aid. As of 2001, the university converted its loans into grants, so students no longer have to repay any financial assistance they may receive. To sum up, Princeton is generous with scholarships and rewards excellence.

When it comes to SAT scores, the average applicant scores between 1470 and 1560, so it demands hard work!

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What accommodation is offered?

Approximately 98 percent of students live on campus in residential colleges, which currently number six for undergraduates. On the other hand, postgraduates and their dependants have their own block. Each college can provide accommodation for 500 students, as well as a dining hall, dormitories, libraries and a social calendar. It includes organised trips to ballet and opera performances, guest speakers, eating clubs, sports and visits to Broadway shows. The main campus covers 500 manicured acres with 17 individual gardens.

Students attending to undergraduate courses have dormitory accommodation for all four years. Many of the buildings on Princeton University campus are High Gothic and the fabulous Putnam Collection of Sculptures is scattered across the campus, all the way to (artificial) Lake Carnegie, which was built to encourage students to consider taking up rowing.

Is studying at Princeton University hard and stressful?

Undergraduates attend seminars or lectures two to three times every week. The Princeton University expects them to do a great deal of independent work. In addition, they must attend precepts, which are seminars focusing on discussions. Although students have a wide choice when it comes to electives, the university requires Arts graduates to complete 31 classes, take a foreign language for 3-4 terms and show distribution (i.e. variety) in their choices. Science undergraduates have to do independent research for two terms and complete 36 classes. Depending on your course, you may also have to write 1-2 junior papers, which are in-depth pieces of research, and a thesis.

So yes, you will work hard at Princeton University! Of course, this might not prove stressful, since the 1289 faculty members are renowned for their support and helpfulness and you will have access to a number of amazing, comprehensive libraries.

What can I do on campus at Princeton University?

Varsity sport of every description; participate in the social events organised by your college; join a club or society; become a member of the Greening Princeton organisation; take part in the dozens of traditions for which Princeton is famous – including the tug of war against Rutgers which takes place on Cannon Green – or watch the football matches against Harvard and Yale. They are traditionally followed by a bonfire when Princeton wins. The choice is virtually endless…

If you are looking for peace and reflection, why not go to the Princeton Art Museum and feast your eyes on Warhol’s Blue Marilyn, Monet, Cézanne and Van Gogh, or wander through its impressive collection of pre-Colombian and Chinese art?

The Princeton campus will meet all your needs and  interests. What is more, will ensure that you have a wonderful holistic experience for the years you are studying there.

I am interested in applying to Princeton University, what is the next step? 

Contact us, here at Elab, and we will talk through the SAT exam, visas, the application process, courses and options. In addition, it is never too early to start the process of gathering paperwork and preparing an outstanding application to one of the world’s most prestigious universities. So, call or email us and we will maximise your chances of being accepted at glorious, elite Princeton University.

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