Founded in 1746, Princeton University is one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the United States. Located in the charming town of Princeton, New Jersey, its ivy-covered halls have produced U.S. presidents, Nobel laureates, and Rhodes Scholars. But beyond its iconic orange and black branding, what makes Princeton so distinct?

What Is Princeton University Known For?

Princeton is home to around 5,500 undergraduates and 3,400 graduate students and prides itself on its close-knit academic environment. The student-faculty ratio is just 5:1, and nearly 80% of undergraduate classes have fewer than 20 students.

The university follows a liberal arts model, encouraging exploration and interdisciplinary thinking. Every undergraduate earns a Bachelor of Arts (A.B.) or a Bachelor of Science in Engineering (B.S.E.), but that barely scratches the surface of what’s possible at Princeton. Students can choose from over 36 majors and 55 certificates or minors ranging from environmental studies to creative writing. Note: double or triple majors are not allowed at Princeton. Students are encouraged to delve deep into a single field of study and acquire breadth through the liberal arts curriculum and their minors/certificates. 

Why Is Princeton Academically Unique?

1. Academic Research: Every Princeton student completes independent research in the form of one junior paper or project followed by a senior thesis. These capstone projects demonstrate intellectual maturity and are a key part of Princeton’s academic identity. A Princeton tradition is printing a bound copy of the senior thesis and having a photoshoot around the campus!

2. Unparalleled Opportunities: Princeton has more money per student than any other university, and this manifests itself in unique opportunities: courses that include site visits (this author took a course on Italian food that included a trip to Sicily!); funding for independent summer projects; and students are often co-authors on published research. Interested in a fully-funded paid internship abroad? 

3. Liberal Arts: Princeton actively encourages students to cross disciplines. In fact, you can’t even choose a major until at least your second year, forcing you to explore the liberal arts options available to you. This often encourages interdisciplinary work, where a politics major might pursue a certificate in journalism or an engineer might minor in dance or creative writing.

What Is Student Life Like at Princeton?

At Princeton, the academic culture doesn’t end when classes are over. There’s a real focus on undergraduate teaching, and professors often hold extended office hours, invite students to lunch, or serve as formal academic advisors.

This extends into the residential college community. In their first two years (at least), all Princeton undergraduates are required to live in one of the university’s academic colleges, an intellectual community that includes professors, deans and graduate students. In the residential colleges, students are organized into “zee (advisee) groups” under a sole College Residential Advisor (an upper-year undergraduate student) and Resident Graduate Student, who organize activities (both academic and social) for them. While students can eat in any residential college dining hall that they want, their residential college is a supportive and inclusive environment. 

When one thinks of social life at Princeton, the unique eating clubs often come to mind, which function like a blend between dining halls and social communities. About 70% of juniors and seniors join a club. While selective "bicker" clubs get attention, there are also open clubs available to everyone. That said, eating clubs are not a requirement and many an undergraduate gets through all four years without ever stepping foot in one. 

Does Princeton Offer Good Financial Aid?

Princeton was one of the first universities to eliminate loans from its financial aid packages. All aid is need-based, and the university meets 100% of demonstrated financial need. Families making under $100,000 often pay nothing.

Who Gets Into Princeton? What Admissions Officers Look For:

Princeton students are intellectually curious, self-motivated, and open to challenge. Many applicants are high-achieving, but what sets successful admits apart is their authentic engagement — with ideas, with community, and with their own growth.

Do you love asking big questions — even if the answers are hard or unclear? Do you enjoy wrestling with contradictions, making connections across disciplines, or creating something new from your research? If so, Princeton might be your place.

Princeton Essays: How to Stand Out

Princeton’s supplemental essays are as thoughtful as the university itself — and it’s a big part of how they get to know you beyond grades and test scores. You’ll answer a mix of short and long prompts that touch on your values, lived experience, intellectual curiosity, and personality.

Here’s one of the main essay prompts (up to 500 words):

“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?”

This isn’t the time to list accomplishments — it’s a chance to show self-awareness and reflection. Think about:

• What shaped the way you see the world?
• What conversations are you excited to have — and what perspective will you bring to them?
• How do your background, beliefs, or upbringing contribute to the diversity of thought Princeton values?

Other prompts ask about service (a central aspect of Princeton’s ethos), your academic interests, and even fun personal questions (with impossibly short word counts) like “What brings you joy?” and “What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?”

Our advice: write with honesty, insight, and depth. The goal isn’t to impress — it’s to reveal who you are when no one’s looking.

Need help refining your essays? AtomicMind mentors guide students through every step of the process — from brainstorm to final polish — to ensure your writing feels personal, powerful, and Princeton-ready.

When Do Princeton Decisions Come Out?

• The Single-Choice Early Action deadline is November 1. SCEA Decisions are released in mid-December.
• The Regular Decision deadline is January 1. RD decisions are released in late March / early April

Princeton’s Early Action plan is non-binding but restrictive — meaning you can’t apply early to other private schools. It’s a strong choice for students who want an early answer without a commitment.

Is Princeton your dream school?

Reach out to our team to learn more about how we can guide you through the process to be a standout applicant.

About the Author: Vicky holds a PhD in History from Princeton University and earned her BA in English at UCLA. She brings over two decades of experience in education, and as Head Advisor at AtomicMind, she guides students with insight, care, and academic rigor. Vicky is passionate about empowering young minds to discover their passions and achieve their full potential.