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 for 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.
Contents
Introduction
To the Members of the Class of 2017
Dean Valerie Smith
Planning Your Program for the Fall
Academic Advising and the Residential College
Selecting Courses
University Requirements
Writing Requirement
Foreign Language Requirement
Distribution Requirements
Advanced Placement and Advanced Standing
The Structure of a Princeton Course
Learning Outside the Classroom
Frequently Asked Questions
Looking Toward Sophomore Year
General Guidelines
Course Selection for Sophomore Year
Choosing a Major
Special Options
Early Concentration
Interdepartmental Certificate Programs
Independent Concentration
University Scholar
Other Opportunities
Field Study
Study Abroad
Teacher Preparation
Academic Regulations
Course Load for Underclass Students
Course Deficiencies
Dropping Optional Courses
Pass/D/Fail Option (P/D/F)
Auditing Courses
Courses Taken for Credit Outside Princeton
Deadlines and Extensions
Midterm Examinations
Final Examinations
Submission of Papers and Other Written Work
Honor Code and Other Academic Integrity Regulations
Academic Standing
Academic Probation and Academic Warning
Required Withdrawal
Learning at Princeton
Scheduling Your Time
Developing Effective Learning Strategies
Writing Papers
Consulting Your Professors
Studying for Exams
Taking Exams
Utilizing Academic Support Resources
The McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning
McGraw Study Hall@Frist
Strategic Learning Consultations
Advanced Academic Strategies Workshop Series
Individual Tutoring
Review Sessions
Academic Success at Princeton (ASAP)
The Writing Center
Personal Difficulties and Individual Growth
Summing Up
Useful Resources
Preprofessional Advisers
How to make a telephone call to an administrative office on campus:
Dial 8 and the four-digit extension.
Cell phone use: The area code for campus is (609).
Nondiscrimination Statement
In compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and other federal, state, and local laws, Princeton University does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, disability, or veteran status in any phase of its employment process, in any phase of its admission or financial aid programs, or other aspects of its educational programs or activities. The vice provost for institutional equity and diversity is the individual designated by the University to coordinate its efforts to comply with Title IX, Section 504 and other equal opportunity and affirmative action regulations and laws. Questions or concerns regarding Title IX, Section 504 or other aspects of Princeton’s equal opportunity or affirmative action programs should be directed to the Office of the Vice Provost for Institutional Equity and Diversity, Princeton University, 205 Nassau Hall, Princeton, NJ 08544 or (609) 258-6110.
Published by the Office of the Dean of the College
Coordinated by the Office of Communications
Copyright © 2013 by The Trustees of Princeton University
In the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations
