Freshman Academic Guide
This guide is intended to address some of the common academic questions and concerns that are likely to arise during your first year at Princeton. Its purpose is not merely to lay out the rules and regulations of academic life, but also to point out ways of thinking about the start of your undergraduate education. Planning carefully and looking ahead will enable you to maximize your opportunities at the University. Knowing when and where to find guidance and counsel is important in ensuring that your educational choices are well considered and make sense in the context of your larger academic goals.
Students who take the initiative and make themselves aware of the many opportunities around them get the most out of their Princeton education. Princeton is a caring and relatively small place, so it is not difficult to find help, advice, information, and just plain encouragement if you look for it. We do assume, however, that you will seek out the help you need. This guide should help you do just that. Please read it, keep it, and use it as a reference for names, offices, telephone numbers, and schedules you will need throughout the year.
Table of Contents
Introduction 3
To the Members of the Class of 2012 4
Dean Nancy Weiss Malkiel
Planning Your Program for the Fall 6
Academic Advising and the Residential College 6
Selecting Courses 7
University Requirements 11
Writing Requirement 11
Foreign Language Requirement 12
Distribution Requirements 13
Advanced Placement and Advanced Standing 15
The Structure of a Princeton Course 17
Learning Outside the Classroom 19
Frequently Asked Questions 22
Looking Toward Sophomore Year 33
General Guidelines 33
Course Selection for Sophomore Year 34
Choosing a Major 35
Special Options 37
Early Concentration 37
Interdepartmental Certificate Programs 37
Independent Concentration 38
University Scholar 38
Other Opportunities 39
Field Study 39
Study Abroad 40
Teacher Preparation 41
Academic Regulations 43
Course Load for Underclass Students 43
Course Deficiencies 43
Dropping Optional Courses 44
Pass/D/Fail Option (P/D/F) 44
Auditing Courses 45
Courses Taken for Credit Outside Princeton 45
Deadlines and Extensions 47
Midterm Examinations 48
Final Examinations 48
Submission of Papers and Other Written Work 48
Honor Code and Other Academic Integrity Regulations 49
Academic Standing 49
Academic Probation and Academic Warning 50
Required Withdrawal 50
Strategies for Academic Success 51
Scheduling Your Time 51
Developing Effective Study Skills 52
Writing Papers 53
Consulting Your Professors 54
Studying for Exams 54
Taking Exams 55
Seeking Extra Academic Help 55
Individual Tutoring 55
The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning 56
McGraw Study Halls @ Frist 57
Review Sessions 57
The Writing Center 57
Personal Difficulties and Individual Growth 57
Summing Up 58
Advising Directory 59
Centrally Located Advising Services 59
Preprofessional Advisers 62
Departmental Representatives and Program Directors 63
Academic Calendar for 2008–09 70
Index 72