How and when should I begin my admission application?
When are applications due?
Does Princeton offer Early Decision?
Is financial aid available?
How and when do I apply for financial aid?
Do students apply to specific academic departments or schools?
How can I let the admission staff know about my special talent in the arts?
How can I let the admission staff know about my special talent in athletics?

You should begin reviewing Princeton's application requirements and materials after the spring of your junior year and plan on beginning your application in the summer before or during the fall of your senior year. The online Common Application and Princeton's Supplement to the Common Application is available July 1. Learn more about applying for admission.

January 1 is our final postmark or electronic submission deadline. We encourage applicants to submit their portion of the application by December 15, if possible. See more important application dates and deadlines.

No. We eliminated the Early Decision option in order to evaluate all applicants in one process. Admitted students who qualify for financial aid will be able to compare financial aid offers in April.

Yes. Princeton's need-based financial aid program is one of the strongest in the country. All applicants for admission are considered without regard to their family financial circumstances, including international students. Any student who feels his or her family resources will not cover the full cost of attendance is encouraged to apply for aid. Princeton meets the full demonstrated need of every admitted student with a combination of grant aid and a campus job. Students are not required to assume loans as part of Princeton’s financial aid package.

You should apply for financial aid by February 1 of the year you plan to enter college. To learn more, review the information and instructions for applying for aid.

We ask you to tell us on the application which degree program you may be most interested in following: A.B. (liberal arts), B.S.E. (engineering) or undecided. We look closely at the math and science preparation of students considering engineering studies. However, students apply to the freshman class of Princeton University, not to the engineering or liberal arts programs, and are not locked into a degree program (or a specific department within that degree program) upon admission. Students in the engineering school choose a concentration (major) by the end of the first year; liberal arts students have two years to choose a concentration.

Please send samples of your work in the arts to the admission office by December 1, following the guidlines listed in Princeton's Optional Arts Form. Do not submit or follow the guidelines for submission of materials listed in the Common Application Optional Arts Background form. To the best of our ability, we’ll have arts faculty review your submissions and advise the admission staff regarding your abilities. Learn more about what to include in your admission application.

Talented student athletes interested in one of our varsity Division I programs should contact our coaches for more information about varsity athletics at Princeton. Coaches will advise the admission staff about applicants with exceptional athletic talents. Note that we do not accept the Common Application Optional Athletic Background Supplement form.