Application FAQ

What does PiB look for in its applicants?

Our criteria are good motivation, good aptitude, solid earlier training, and strong need for learning Chinese.  We look for strength in the basics of the language, including accurate pronunciation.

How can I improve my chances of getting in?

The best way to improve your chances is by completing your application at an early date -- before December 31, if possible. In past years most applications have come in very near the February 1 deadline. Since admissions are handled on a rolling basis, and since we receive many excellent applications, we usually have to deny admission to many highly qualified candidates. Sending in your application well ahead of the deadline will not only improve your chances but also make our job easier.

The only exception to this rule is that of students in their first year of Chinese study. Waiting until you have a solid enough foundation to turn in an audio tape with few errors in pronunciation and tones may mean that first year students would be better served by turning in applications in early January.

I am a first-year college student and don’t have any course grades yet. Do I still need to submit a transcript? What should I do about my grades?

If you have final grades for the fall term at the time you apply, you must submit an official transcript. (Princeton students--but only Princeton students--may substitute a print-out from SCORE.) If you have not finished the fall term at the time you apply, give us an unofficial record of your mid-term grades, for example by print-out from your own school's website. Once you finish the fall term, please have an updated, official transcript sent to the PiB office.

I am having trouble getting in touch with my Chinese teacher for a recommendation. What should I do?

While we prefer a recommendation from your most recent Chinese teacher, we understand that getting such a recommendation is sometimes impossible. Hence we do accept recommendations from other teachers, supervisors, or persons who can accurately judge character, study habits, and suitability for the program.

Should the recommendation from my Chinese teacher be written in English or Chinese?

Either is fine.

I'm currently living abroad, and it could take several weeks to obtain transcripts and letters of recommendation. Can I just have them sent to you directly from the institutions?

Yes. If you are living in an area where recommendations would take weeks to arrive or the local postal service is unreliable, we will allow parts of your application to be sent in separately. As far as is possible, though, try to send all your materials in a single package.

I applied last year but wasn’t accepted or chose not to go. Do I need to start from scratch this year?

If you applied last year, you are required to send in another application fee, a new tape, a revised transcript (if you have taken additional Chinese classes since then), any personal information that has changed, and, if you are applying for financial aid, you or your parents' most recent tax return and your home school's most recent needs analysis. Whether or not you submit a new recommendation is up to you. As with other applicants, please send all of your materials in a single mailing. All applicants’ files are kept for one year.

If I am accepted, what kind of obligation am I under to attend?

If accepted, you will be asked to pay a $500 nonrefundable deposit to secure your position in the program. If your deposit does not arrive by the time specified, you will forfeit your position in the program. If you are accepted and choose not to attend, please inform us as soon as possible so that we can offer your place to someone else.

When is the earliest date I can send in my application?

Applications will be made available during late September or early October. You may apply as soon as you wish. To avoid the rush and to leave time for mail delays and such, we recommend that you try to send your application in a month before the deadline. (If you are a first-year student applying for second-year Chinese, your application will be stronger if you can show at least a partial record of your first-year study.)

How long will it take for an application to be evaluated?

Most applicants will be notified of decisions in mid to late February. For some applications, though, we cannot say firmly "yes" or "no" after the first evaluation is done.  These applications are waitlisted pending further information on the student, on the number of spaces available, or on the competitive pressures of the course the student is applying to.

Can I apply online?

No, we do not offer online applications. Please download the application forms available on this site and send them in to us.