Many think of Princeton University as the college that plays second fiddle to the likes of Harvard and Yale. But if you ask the 2026 US News & World Report annual college ranking, this couldn’t be further from the truth, as this publication places Princeton as the #1 college in the United States (just as it has for each of the last 15 consecutive years)! Getting into Princeton is naturally no cakewalk. How should prospective Tigers go about planning their applications?

What Is Princeton University?

Located in Princeton, New Jersey (imagine that!), Princeton consists of a student body with 5,916 undergraduates. According to the 2025-26 Common Data Set, 2,889 full-time undergraduate males and 2,936 undergraduate females are currently enrolled. The Class of 2029 profile reveals that 25% of current first-year students are eligible for Pell Grants due to their low-income status, and 14.1% are international students.

Princeton Admissions Requirements

Getting into Princeton is no small feat. It’s not simply good grades that make the difference between an applicant who gets in and one who doesn’t. Every year, countless students with perfect grades and test scores face rejection. But by reviewing the characteristics of competitive applicants and the strategies they use to gain admission that Princeton often won’t tell you, a clearer picture emerges.

Princeton University GPA Requirements

There is, technically, no minimum GPA requirement to get into Princeton, and admissions officers certainly would not claim otherwise to the many starry-eyed but underqualified applicants who help drive down Princeton’s acceptance rate when they apply. However, the Common Data Set tells a different story: 72% of admitted students in the Class of 2029 had a 4.0 GPA on their high school transcripts. The average GPA of admitted students was 3.96, and 99% submitted GPA data.

So, while there is no official minimum GPA requirement for Princeton admission, in practice, anything less than perfect grades won’t impress a Princeton admissions officer.

Does Princeton University Look at Class Rank?

Princeton admissions officers do not necessarily look at class rank, as many elite high schools have turned away from calculating rank to cut down on competitiveness within their student bodies. But as a general rule of thumb, applicants stand the best chance of admission if they graduate in the top 10% of their high school’s graduating class (at schools that do calculate rank).

Princeton SAT/ACT Score Requirements

Princeton has kept its test-optional policy in place through the 2026-27 admissions cycle, with applicants to the 2027-2028 being required to submit scores. So even though your application might not yet require SAT and ACT scores, as is the case with a lot of the advice we give on this list, we do not recommend you take Princeton’s word that they don’t care if you submit test scores. The reality is that students who don’t submit scores will always be at a disadvantage compared to those who do. Let’s look at the data:

Amongst members of the Princeton Class of 2029, 60% submitted SAT scores, and 20% submitted ACT scores. 

	SAT	ACT
Median	1,530	35
Mid 50% Range	1,490 — 1,560	34 — 35

Does Princeton Superscore Students’ SAT or ACT scores?

A superscore combines the highest section scores from each individual test sitting for admissions evaluation. Princeton does superscore results to an extent. As Princeton Undergraduate Admissions explains:

We allow applicants to use the score choice feature of the SAT and accept only the highest composite score of the ACT, but we encourage the submission of all test scores. Note: We do not superscore between the paper test and the digital test; you can only utilize score choice if the tests are in the same format.

At Ivy Coach, we caution against submitting more than one test administration for admissions evaluation. Submitting multiple scores shows Princeton that you had to work harder than many to achieve your highest scores and that your testing performance has inconsistencies. That said, while it’s not ideal, sometimes students have no choice but to superscore.

What High School Courses Does Princeton Require?

Princeton recommends the following high school curriculum to prepare for the academic rigor of the College:

• Four years of English (including continued practice in writing).
• Four years of mathematics (including calculus for students interested in engineering).
• Four years of one language.
• At least two years of laboratory science (including physics and chemistry for students interested in engineering).
• At least two years of history.
• In addition, most candidates have had some study in the visual or performing arts.

Of course, it’s not advisable to take history (or any core subject, for that matter) for fewer than four years. Highly selective institutions across America look for students who have excelled in their core subjects for all four years of high school. What’s more, foreign language study should begin by eighth grade.

What Extracurriculars Does Princeton Look For in Applicants?

There is no silver bullet in extracurricular activities that will automatically wow Princeton admissions officers. Applicants should focus their efforts on pursuing their one passion or specialty to the fullest extent possible. As Princeton itself puts it:

We look for students with intellectual curiosity, who have pursued and achieved academic excellence. We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments.

As you prepare your application, help us to appreciate your talents, academic accomplishments and personal achievements. We’ll ask for your transcript and recommendations, and we will want to know more than just the statistics in your file. Tell us your story. Show us what’s special about you. Tell us how you would seize the academic and nonacademic opportunities at Princeton and contribute to the Princeton community. Above all, please write in a style that reflects your own voice.

To give this piece of advice a proper Ivy Coach decoding, Princeton is not seeking well-rounded students. Such students do not cut it because they do not contribute much to the variety of an incoming class. On the other hand, the world-class painter, groundbreaking scientist, or budding historian will always stand out over the well-rounded applicant.

Princeton University Application Requirements

Princeton accepts both The Common Application and the Coalition Application. Students must submit a counselor letter of recommendation, two teacher letters of recommendation, a graded written paper, and Princeton-specific supplemental essay responses. 

Let’s focus on each individual component and discuss how students should complete them to give them the best shot at admission.

Who to Ask For Letters of Recommendation

Applicants to Princeton should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects, in addition to their school counselor for letters of recommendation.

Does Princeton University Require an Alumni Interview?

No, any interviews conducted with Princeton alumni are at the discretion of the admissions committee. Students will only be assigned to interview with a Princeton alum according to where they live. Across all highly selective colleges, the interview component of any given application is one of the least important aspects.

What is Princeton’s Graded Paper?

Perhaps the most unique aspect of Princeton’s application, the Graded Paper is essentially an opportunity for the admissions office to gauge your ability to conduct academic writing at a college level. Princeton provides the following guidance:

• The paper should be from an academic course in English, social studies or history, from the last three years of secondary school, including senior year. You may send a paper, essay, research paper or in-class essay exam. Note that we are most interested in seeing expository, thesis-driven analytical writing rather than science research, creative writing, personal narratives or papers mostly focused on data analysis.
• Papers should be at least one page in length.
• Please include the entire paper as well as the prompt, the grade you received and any available comments.
• The paper should be originally written in English (no translations).

Naturally, the paper chosen should be the strongest example of your work, which is why Ivy Coach’s admissions assistance for Princeton applicants focuses explicitly on assembling a strong paper reviewed by Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers before it arrives at your teacher’s desk for grading. 

What are Princeton’s Supplemental Essay Topics?

In addition to The Common Application Personal Statement or the Coalition essay, Princeton applicants have to complete the Princeton-specific questions, which are as follows:

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

For B.S.E Degree Applicants

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

Your Voice

Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?  (Please respond in 500 words or fewer.

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Please respond in 250 words or fewer.)

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

• What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?
• What brings you joy? 
• What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?”

Princeton University Application Deadlines

Princeton’s two admissions rounds are termed Single-Choice Early Action and Regular Decision. 

Single-Choice Early Action applications are due on November 1st of each year. Admission through this round is non-binding. Regular Decision applications are typically due on January 1st of each year. 

Princeton University Acceptance Rate and Statistics

The competitiveness of Princeton admission is notorious across the world, but just how competitive is the process? For admission to the Class of 2029, 42,303 students applied, and 1,868 were accepted for a 4.42% overall acceptance rate.

How Much Does Princeton University Cost?

In the 2026-27 academic year, the full cost of attendance for undergraduates at Princeton will be $94,624, which breaks down as follows: 

• Tuition: $68,140
• Housing: $13,010
• Food: $9,110
• Fees: $314
• Estimated miscellaneous expenses: $4,150

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Princeton

70% of Ivy Coach’s package clients who applied Early Action to Princeton over the past five years have earned admission. That’s more than two out of every three! We know what Princeton’s admissions officers are looking for because our team once worked at the admissions offices at Ivy League schools.

If you’re interested in Ivy Coach’s assistance in optimizing your child’s case for admission to Princeton, fill out our complimentary consultation form, and we’ll be in touch.