About FSI
The Academic Program
Freshman Scholars take two full, credit-bearing courses that count towards graduation requirements: "Ways of Knowing" (HUM 250/STC 250) and a course in quantitative reasoning. In Summer 2013, we will offer two different courses in quantitative reasoning: "Visualizing Data", a course for students who are interested in the humanities or social sciences or who have not yet studied calculus; and "Problem Solving in Mathematics" (APC 151), an intensive introduction to calculus-based mathematical modeling featuring techniques useful for those who intend to pursue study in the physical, health, or social sciences.
Co-curricular workshops introduce students to campus resources and help them to enhance their learning strategies. Writing Center Fellows are available to consult with Scholars as they draft and revise papers for "Ways of Knowing," and Scholars work collaboratively with their peers (tutors and fellow Scholars) on problem-solving assignments in mathematics.
A Living and Learning Community
Intellectual inquiry is an integral part of Princeton life, and the knowledge students acquire outside the classroom is as important to self growth as what they learn in the classroom. FSI classes, which are all small in size, are held in the morning. In the afternoon and evening, students participate in activities that encourage teaching and learning in different environments: students meet one-on-one with faculty; converse with advisers and campus leaders over meals; work individually or with peers on course assignments; and learn about University life from experienced Princeton undergraduates. The community that evolves among students as a result is especially close-knit. As Scholars approach the fall semester, they do so with a sense of confidence about who they are as learners and how to deploy this knowledge strategically in the face of the many choices and opportunities that await them.
Is FSI Right for Me?
The transition to college is challenging for all freshmen: every student must learn how to recognize and respond to the demands of their new learning environment. Certain factors, however, can make this period of adjustment even more demanding. Students invited to FSI already have met Princeton's high admission standards and are among the most outstanding high school graduates in the country. They also face some combination of the following circumstances:
- They are the first in their families to go to college.
- They attended high schools that offered relatively limited opportunities for advanced course work.
- They are likely to encounter extraordinary time constraints during their first year: for example, they may plan to enroll in one of the University's intensive, double-course sequences (e.g., Humanistic Studies) or are required to take several courses in science, engineering or mathematics.
Unlike prefreshman programs at some colleges and universities, FSI is an entirely voluntary program. Our curriculum is designed to help accomplished students with diverse academic strengths and interests achieve the goals they have set for themselves and thrive in all aspects of their lives at Princeton.
