Lori Meadows
Getting into Princeton as an international student is challenging, with an acceptance rate of around 4%-5%. The university offers 36 departments, 45 doctoral programs, and 24 interdisciplinary PhD options for international students. The application process requires students to submit transcripts, letters of recommendation, English proficiency test scores, and extracurricular activities. Princeton does not consider financial need in the admissions process and meets the full need of admitted international students, although it does not offer academic or athletic scholarships.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Acceptance rate | 4% or 5.3% |
| Application deadline | December 15 |
| Application portal | Princeton University Graduate Portal |
| Academic record | Include internal grades, external exam marks, and national leaving exam results |
| English language proficiency | Must take the TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic if English is not your native language or the primary language of instruction at your school; Duolingo English Test is also accepted |
| School report | To be completed by a school official such as a principal or vice principal if your school does not have a university counselor |
| Midyear report | Include new internal or predicted grades after the first semester or trimester of your final year |
| Graded written paper | Submit in English, can be from O- or A-level coursework |
| Financial aid | Need-blind; full need met for admitted international students, who will receive a grant |
| Number of departments | 36 |
| Number of doctoral programs | 45 |
| Number of interdisciplinary PhD options | 24 |
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What You'll Learn
Application requirements
Princeton University is an Ivy League university with a 4% acceptance rate for first-year applicants. The university offers admissions in Spring, Summer, and Fall, with Fall being the most popular intake. The Fall deadline is 15 December.
The Office of Undergraduate Admission reviews all applications in the same manner, regardless of citizenship or country of residence. For undergraduate admission, you apply to Princeton and not to a particular department or school. The application requirements are the same for US citizens, permanent residents, or international applicants.
If English is not your native language and you attend a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take one of the following English language tests:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
If your school does not have a counsellor, a school official, such as a principal, vice principal, or dean, should complete your School Report. This should include internal or predicted grades after the first semester or trimester of your final year.
Your academic record should include any available internal grades from classes, achieved marks from external exams (for example, IGCSE, British A-Level, International Baccalaureate, or national leaving exams), or a combination of both. If your school or national education system does not provide internal grades, you are not required to report them. A graded written paper must be submitted in English, and it should not be translated from another language.
Princeton does not have a minimum GPA to apply, but the average for those admitted is around 3.9. The admissions team does not give preference to any particular educational system, and they are trained to understand the educational systems of different countries. You can, however, provide additional context for how you learned in the 'additional information' section of your application if you feel it’s necessary.
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English language proficiency
International students applying to Princeton University must demonstrate English language proficiency. This is a common requirement for international applicants to universities in the United States.
Tests
If English is not your first language, and you are attending a school where English is not the primary language of instruction, you must take one of the following English language tests:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
- International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic)
- Duolingo English Test (DET)
- Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
You are exempt from taking these tests if English is your native language or if you have spent at least three years at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction.
Graded written paper
As part of your application, you must submit a graded written paper in English. This can be taken from O- or A-level coursework, as long as it meets all other requirements. The paper must not be translated from another language into English.
Oral proficiency
Graduate students must demonstrate a level of oral proficiency in English sufficient to participate in all graduate activities, including classwork, research, presentations, project teamwork, and teaching.
Additional context
Princeton's admissions team is trained to understand the educational systems of different countries. However, you can provide additional context for how you learned in the 'additional information' section of your application if you feel it is necessary.
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Financial aid
Princeton University is committed to making education affordable for all students, regardless of their financial circumstances. The university's financial aid program is entirely based on need and is recognised as one of the most generous in the country. Notably, Princeton is one of only a handful of schools in the US that does not limit financial aid for international undergraduates, treating international and domestic students the same in the financial aid process.
The university's need-blind admission policy ensures equality of opportunity for students who cannot afford the full cost of attendance. This means that applying for financial aid will not disadvantage an applicant in the admissions process. Princeton meets 100% of the demonstrated financial need of admitted students with grant aid. The university has a no-loan policy, ensuring that financial need is met through grants rather than loans. Since 2001, grants have replaced student loans in the Princeton financial aid package for all aid recipients. As a result, Princeton students can graduate with little to no debt.
To apply for financial aid, students must first apply for admission and create a Princeton Applicant Portal account. The Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA) is free and accessible through this portal. Students will be asked to upload their parents' tax returns or non-filer information. For each year of attendance at Princeton, students must submit a new financial aid application.
It is important to note that Princeton does not offer academic or athletic merit scholarships. However, any outside scholarships earned by students will be included in their financial aid award, along with Princeton grants and federal work-study if eligible.
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Acceptance rates
The university has not released admissions data for the Class of 2029, but the acceptance rate for the Class of 2028 was between 4.3% and 5.3%. The university has a target to expand its undergraduate student body by about 500 people, which may influence the acceptance rate.
The university is need-blind, meaning that an applicant's ability to pay is not a factor in the admissions decision. Financial aid is based on need and is available for international students, with 71.5% of all students receiving it.
The university considers a wide range of factors in its admissions process, including grades, the rigorousness of the course schedule, class rank, test scores, essays, recommendation letters, extracurricular activities, talent, ability, and character/personal qualities. Interviews, first-generation status, legacy status, geographical location, volunteer work, and paid work experience are also considered.
To be competitive, applicants should aim to be in the top 10-25% of their graduating class. For the Class of 2028, the mid-50% SAT range was 1500-1560, and the mid-50% ACT score was 34-35. Although Princeton is test-optional, about 77% of enrolled students submitted test scores.
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Student demographics
In terms of numbers, the class of 2027 at Princeton includes international students representing 64 countries, with 15.3% of respondents to a survey identifying as international students. This equates to around 700 international students out of a total of 5,600 undergraduates, or approximately 12.5%. The largest contingent of international students comes from Asia, particularly China, with 437 students, followed by Canada with 189 students. Other countries with high representation include the United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Greece, and Israel.
The university also has a significant population of graduate students from other countries, with more than 40% of graduate school students being citizens of countries other than the United States.
To support its international student body, Princeton offers comprehensive resources and an orientation program to help international students transition to life in the United States and on campus.
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Frequently asked questions
Princeton considers international students to be any students applying from schools outside the United States. The admissions team does not give preference to any particular country or educational system outside the US. However, if English is not your first language, you must take a language test. You will also need to provide your academic record, including any available internal grades, achieved marks from external exams, and a graded written paper in English.
Princeton meets the full need of all admitted international students in the same way as it does for US students. The university's financial aid program is entirely based on need and does not offer academic or athletic merit scholarships. Princeton does not consider location when making financial aid decisions, so international students are not exempt from financial support.
Princeton has an overall acceptance rate of around 4-5.3%. The university has approximately 5,600 undergraduate students, 12.5% of whom are international students.
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