Schedule of Events
NOTE Attendance is required at these [*] meetings; students may not attend any other events at these times.
Campus map & Key (PDF)
- Saturday, September 3 (Pre-Orientation)
- Saturday, September 10
- Sunday, September 11
- Monday, September 12
- Tuesday, September 13
- Wednesday, September 14
- Thursday, September 15
- Friday, September 16
Pre-Orientation Saturday, September 3
(for students participating in Outdoor or Community Action)
| 8:00 a.m.–3:00 |
* | Dormitory check-in. Baker Rink. |
| 1:30–2:30 | Center for Jewish Life Hillel at Princeton University reception for members of the Class of 2015 and their parents. Center for Jewish Life, 70 Washington Road. | |
| 3:00–4:30 | Student check-in for Outdoor Action at Dillon Gym and Community Action at Murray-Dodge Hall. | |
| 3:00–4:30 | Receptions for parents in residential colleges including welcoming remarks by college masters. | |
| 4:15–5:30 | Parent orientation to University Health Services. A two-part presentation will address the health program at Princeton and the medical, nursing, and counseling services available to students. Professional staff from various departments will answer questions and concerns. The second part of the presentation will describe how the University Student Health Plan works for students needing medical care while at Princeton. 101 McCormick, Art Museum. | |
| 4:30–5:00 | Students participating in pre-orientation trips meet briefly with their residential college advisers (RCAs) in residence halls. | |
| 5:00–6:30 | College barbecues for students only. | |
| 5:30 | Departure time for parents | |
| 6:45 | Outdoor Action students reconvene at Dillon Gym. Community Action students reconvene at Murray-Dodge Hall. |
Saturday, September 10
| 8:00 a.m.–3:00 | * | Dormitory check-in. Baker Rink. |
| 10:00–1:30 | Brunch for freshmen only in the residential colleges. | |
| 12:30–3:00 | * | Freshman sign-in for members of the Class of 2015. Students should bring I-9 and identification. (See “General Information” section for more details.) Dillon Gym. |
| Butler College, 12:30 Forbes College, 12:55 Mathey College, 1:20 Rockefeller College, 1:45 Whitman College, 2:10 Wilson College, 2:35 |
| 1:00–3:00 | * | Freshmen must pick up information packets. Residential colleges. |
| 2:15–3:00 | Organizational meeting for all student workers in the Department of Dining Services at their assigned dining halls. | |
| 3:00–5:30 | * | Students meet with their residential college advisers (RCAs) in residence halls. (This and all subsequent events are for students only.) |
| 5:30–6:00 | * | College masters address the Class of 2015. Residential colleges. |
| 6:00–7:00 | Dinner for new members of the colleges, RCAs, and college staff. |
| Butler College, Wu Dining Hall Forbes College, Dining Hall Mathey College, Dining Hall Rockefeller College, Dining Hall Whitman College, Dining Hall Wilson College, Wilcox Dining Hall |
| 7:30–9:00 | * | Opening meeting for all new students. Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. |
| 9:00–11:00 | Clash of the Colleges: A spirited intercollege competition. Dillon Gym. | |
| 11:00 | Welcome event, movie presentation (open to all students). Refreshments will be served. South Lawn, Frist Campus Center (rain location in Frist Multipurpose Room). |
Sunday, September 11
| 10:00 a.m.–10:45 | Information meeting on advanced placement and advanced standing. 50 McCosh Hall. | |
| 11:00 | Princeton University Chapel ecumenical worship service. University Chapel. (Please visit www.princeton.edu/religiouslife for a full schedule of services at Princeton.) | |
| 11:45–12:30 | Meeting for students interested in preparing for medicine or health-related professions (premedical, preveterinary, predental). 50 McCosh Hall. | |
| 12:30–1:30 | Foreign language placement tests for the following languages only. Please bring two sharpened No. 2 pencils and an eraser. |
| Arabic, 60 McCosh Hall Hebrew, 62 McCosh Hall Latin, 64 McCosh Hall Russian, 66 McCosh Hall |
| 1:30–2:15 | 9/11 Gathering of Remembrance. President Shirley M. Tilghman, the Honorable Bill Bradley ’65, Kwame Anthony Appiah, Professor of Philosophy and the University Center for Human Values, and others will speak at this commemoration of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. Cannon Green | |
| 2:30 | * | All freshmen assemble on Cannon Green with residential colleges to form procession for Opening Exercises: A University Convocation. President Shirley M. Tilghman addresses the University community. Undergraduate prizes for academic distinction are awarded during this interfaith service. University Chapel. |
| 4:00–6:00 | Pre-rade, welcome for the Class of 2015, sponsored by the Undergraduate Student Government and the class governments. A celebration of Princeton spirit at the start of a new school year, followed by a barbecue dinner. Bring your TigerCard for meal swipe. Alexander Beach. | |
| 5:30 | Step Sing, sponsored by the Princetoniana Committee. Learn the alma mater and other traditional Princeton songs. Blair Arch. | |
| 7:30–9:30 | * | Assembly for the Class of 2015: “History, Collective Memory, and the Power of Images” delivered by Rachael DeLue, Associate Professor of Art and Archaeology. Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Professor DeLue’s talk will be followed by discussion groups in the residential colleges. |
| 11:00–12:30 | “Tiger’s Roar”: All singing groups perform and teach the Class of 2015 to sing “Old Nassau.” Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. |
Monday, September 12
| 7:00 a.m.–midnight | * | Online academic year verification of personal information for all students at www.princeton.edu/SCORE. (See “General Information” section for details.) |
| 9:00–9:30 | Lewis Center for the Arts open house for Creative Writing, Dance, Princeton Atelier, Theater, and Visual Arts Programs. Followed by breakout session until 10:30 a.m. Applications accepted for fall courses. 185 Nassau Street, James M. Stewart Theater. | |
| 9:00–1:00 | Athletic physicals for all first-year intercollegiate athletes (except crew). McCosh Health Center. Contact your coach for assigned times for your team. | |
| 10:15–11:00 | “Learning Foreign Languages at Princeton.” Faculty/student panel and discussion. 50 McCosh Hall. | |
| 11:15–12:30 | “The Arts and Humanities at Princeton.” Faculty panel and discussion. Moderator: Brigid Doherty, Professor of German and Art and Archaeology. 101 McCormick, Art Museum. | |
| 11:30–1:00 | “Women in Science, Math, and Engineering.” Faculty panel followed by light lunch. Panel in Whig Hall Senate Chamber; lunch in Whig Hall Lounge. | |
| 1:15–2:15 | * | Meeting for all F-1 (visa) status, non-U.S. citizens (including Canadians) who are not permanent residents of the United States or U.S. citizens living abroad. Please be sure to bring your I-20, I-94 card, and passport to the meeting for required reporting purposes. 302 Frist Campus Center. |
| 1:45–2:45 | “Integrating Study Abroad into a Princeton Education.” Panel discussion of study abroad options. 50 McCosh Hall. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | * | All new students meet with their residential college dean, director of studies, and director of student life in designated locations. |
| Butler College, Wu Dining Hall Forbes College, Forbes Dining Room Mathey College, 301 Frist Campus Center Rockefeller College, 50 McCosh Hall Whitman College, 185 Nassau Street, James M. Stewart Theater Wilson College, Wilcox Dining Hall |
| 4:00–4:30 | * | A.B. students continue to meet with their dean and director of studies in designated locations. |
| 4:15–5:15 | * | Meeting for B.S.E. students. 101 Friend Center (Auditorium). |
| 4:30–5:30 | * | A.B. students meet with their academic advisers in the residential colleges. (Details available in the college offices.) |
| 5:15–6:00 | * | B.S.E. students meet with their academic advisers. Engineering Quadrangle and Friend Center. |
| 5:30–6:30 | * | Dinner for A.B. freshmen and academic advisers in the residential colleges. |
| 6:00–7:30 | * | Dinner for B.S.E. students and academic advisers. Friend Center Courtyard. |
| 7:00–9:00 | Student Advising Fair. Peer advisers available. Residential colleges. | |
| 10:00–12:30 | “Tiger Night”: Theater, dance, and other performance groups, including the band, give the Class of 2015 a taste of their art. A dynamic show not to be missed. Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. |
Tuesday, September 13
| 7:00 a.m.–midnight | * | Online verification of personal information for all students at www.princeton.edu/SCORE. (See “General Information” section for details.) |
| 9:00–5:00 | * | Individually scheduled academic advising appointments. Friend Center. |
| 10:00–11:00 | Global Health and Health Policy Program open house. 219 Burr Hall. | |
| 10:00–11:00 | Philosophy Department open house. Tower Room, 1879 Hall. | |
| 10:00–noon | Media Services/Humanities Resource Center/New Media Center/Broadcast Center open house. Students interested in working as audio/visual operators, Humanities Resource Center assistants, New Media Center advisers, or website advisers should attend. Refreshments served. 100 Level, Lewis Library. | |
| 11:00 | Chemistry Department open house. Informal meeting to introduce the general chemistry program and delineate placement procedures. Information about majoring in chemistry will be presented, followed by a “question-and-answer” period led by chemistry concentrators. Taylor Auditorium, B02 Frick Laboratory. | |
| 11:00–noon | Anthropology Department open house. 216 Burr Hall. | |
| 11:00–noon | French and Italian Department open house. 010 East Pyne. | |
| 11:00–noon | Psychology Department open house. O-S-6 Green Hall. | |
| 11:00–noon | Spanish and Portuguese Languages and Cultures Department open house. 103 Chancellor Green, East Pyne. | |
| 11:00–1:30 | Office of Religious Life open house with the Deans and campus chaplains. Lunch served. Murray-Dodge Hall. | |
| 11:15 | Historical campus tours. See “General Information” section for details. | |
| 11:30–1:00 | Materials Science and Engineering Program open house with poster session, lab tours, and opportunity to speak with current students and PRISM faculty. Pizza and refreshments. Bowen Hall Atrium, second floor. | |
| Noon–1:00 | Center for Jewish Life activity fair for student groups affiliated with CJL. 70 Washington Road. | |
| Noon–1:00 | Comparative Literature Department open house. Lunch available. 127 East Pyne. | |
| Noon–1:00 | Latino Studies Program open house. 216 Burr Hall. | |
| Noon–1:00 | Neuroscience Institute open house. Refreshments served. 107 Schultz Laboratory. | |
| 1:00 | Historical campus tours. See “General Information” section for details. | |
| 1:00–2:00 | Center for African American Studies open house. 201 Stanhope Hall. | |
| 1:00–2:00 | Engineering Biology Program open house. A-224 School of Engineering and Applied Science. | |
| 1:00–5:00 | University Library open house. Meet in the front lobby of either Firestone or Lewis Library and bring your Princeton TigerCard. Tours will leave regularly. Refreshments served. (See “General Information” section for details.) | |
| 2:00–3:00 | East Asian Studies Department and Program open house. Refreshments served. 202 Jones Hall. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | English Department open house. 28 McCosh Hall. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Gender and Sexuality Studies Program open house. 113 Dickinson Hall. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Geosciences Department open house. Great Hall, Guyot Hall. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Glee Club open house. Meet members and learn about joining Princeton’s oldest and biggest singing group, as well as the University’s Chamber Choir. Auditions held this week. For information, contact cgreenbe@princeton.edu. McAlpin Auditorium, Woolworth Center. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Hellenic Studies Program open house. 103 Scheide Caldwell House. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Judaic Studies Program open house. 203 Scheide Caldwell House. | |
| 2:00–5:00 | Career Services open house. Formal presentations on an ongoing basis. Stop by to learn about the services available for students as they seek out job and internship opportunities during and beyond college. Career Services, 36 University Place, second floor. | |
| 2:30–5:30 | Mathematics Department open house. “The Surreal Numbers.” John Conway, the John Von Neumann Professor in Applied and Computational Mathematics. Taplin Auditorium, Fine Hall, second floor. Reception will follow lecture at 4:00 p.m. in the Fine Hall Common Room, third floor. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Ecology and Evolutionary Biology Department open house. 10 Guyot Hall. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | History Department open house. 211 Dickinson Hall. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Integrated Science open house. Refreshments served. 280 Icahn Laboratory. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Religion Department open house. Department Lounge, Room 140, 1879 Hall. | |
| 3:00–4:30 | Music Department and Musical Performance Program open house. 102 Woolworth Center. | |
| 3:30 | Historical campus tours. See “General Information” section for details. | |
| 3:30-4:30 | Near Eastern Studies Department and Program open house. “Getting the Middle East in Perspective.” Michael Cook, Class of 1943 University Professor of Near Eastern Studies. Refreshments served. 102 Jones Hall. | |
| 4:00 | Environmental Studies Program open house. Guyot Hall Atrium. | |
| 4:00–5:00 | Applications of Computing Program open house. (Held in conjunction with the Computer Science Department open house.) Tea Room, 201 Computer Science Building. | |
| 4:00–5:00 | Computer Science Department open house. (Held in conjunction with the Applications of Computing Program open house.) Tea Room, 201 Computer Science Building. | |
| 4:00–5:00 | Linguistics Program open house. Joseph Henry House (back porch). | |
| 4:00–5:00 | School of Architecture open house. N-107, Architecture Building. | |
| 4:00–6:00 | Astrophysical Sciences Department open house. (Held in conjunction with the Planets and LifeProgram open house.) Grand Central Meeting Room, Peyton Hall. | |
| 4:00–6:00 | Planets and Life Program open house. (Held in conjunction with the Astrophysical Sciences Department open house.) Grand Central Meeting Room, Peyton Hall. | |
| 4:15–6:00 | “Reflections on Service,” sponsored by the Pace Center. Join alumnus Shantayanan Devarajan ’75, chief economist of the World Bank’s Africa region, and four Princeton student leaders in a panel as they highlight their experiences and answer questions, introducing new students to civic engagement at Princeton. 50 McCosh Hall. Followed by an ice cream social and civic engagement activities fair in the McCosh-Chapel Courtyard. | |
| 7:00–7:45 | * | Public Safety for the Community. Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. |
| 8:00–10:30 | * | Class meeting: “Reflections on Diversity.” Matthews Theatre at McCarter Theatre Center. Followed by discussion groups in the residential colleges. |
Wednesday, September 14
| 7:00 a.m.–5:00 | * | Online verification of personal information for all students at www.princeton.edu/SCORE. (See “General Information” section for details.) |
| 10:00–noon | * | “Making the Most of Princeton.” A student panel for all members of the Class of 2015. Residential Colleges. |
| Noon–1:00 | Athletics Department orientation for freshman athletes. 50 McCosh Hall. | |
| Noon–1:00 | Latin American Studies Program open house. 216 Burr Hall. | |
| Noon–3:00 | Frist Campus Center annual open house. 100 Level, Frist. | |
| 1:00–2:00 | Art and Archaeology Department open house. Lounge outside 106 McCormick Hall. | |
| 1:00–2:00 | Molecular Biology open house followed by question-and-answer discussion with students. 107 Schultz Laboratory. | |
| 1:00–2:00 | Physics Department open house. Joseph Henry Room, Jadwin Hall. | |
| 1:00–2:00 | Woodrow Wilson School open house. Dodds Auditorium, Robertson Hall. | |
| 1:00–3:00 | Chemistry placement test for entry into Chemistry 202 or 303/304 (for students who have taken AP chemistry or an advanced chemistry curriculum, but have not taken the AP test). A10 Jadwin Hall. | |
| 1:00–5:00 | Athletic physicals for all first-year intercollegiate athletes (except crew). Contact your coach for assigned times for your team. McCosh Health Center. | |
| 1:00–5:00 | University Library open house. Meet in the front lobby of either Firestone or Lewis Library and bring your Princeton TigerCard. Tours will leave regularly. Refreshments served. (See “General Information” section for details.) | |
| 1:30–2:30 | “Special Opportunities for Engineering Students.” Discussion of study abroad, certificate programs, and internships. 101 Friend Center (Auditorium). | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Economics Department open house. Room 103, 26 Prospect Avenue. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Medieval Studies Program open house. 209 Scheide Caldwell House. | |
| 2:00–3:00 | Sociology Department open house. 165 Wallace Hall. | |
| 2:00–4:00 | McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning open house. Workshop offered at 2:00 and 3:00. (See “General Information” section for details.) 328 Frist Campus Center. | |
| 2:30–3:30 | “Computing with Magic: Quantum Mechanics and the Art of the Impossible,” Andrew Houck, Assistant Professor of Electrical Engineering. 101 Friend Center (Auditorium). | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Classics Department open house. Prentice Library, 143 East Pyne. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Finance Program open house. 26 Prospect Avenue, 103 Bendheim Center for Finance. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | German Department open house. 207 East Pyne. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Slavic Languages and Literatures Department open house. 237 East Pyne. | |
| 3:00–4:00 | Teacher Preparation Program open house. Teacher Preparation Office, 41 William Street. | |
| 3:00–5:00 | “Thriving at Princeton.” An undergraduate orientation program for culturally diverse students. An informal opportunity for students to meet key administrators, faculty, and student leaders from a wide range of University departments and programs. Fields Center. | |
| 3:00–6:00 | Physics placement test for placement out of Physics 103–104 (for students who have taken AP physics or an advanced physics curriculum, but have not taken the AP test). Note: This exam is not for placement into higher physics courses. For that, immediately contact the course instructor or see the physics placement officer at registration at the Friend Center. Students should meet at 3:00 p.m. and expect the exam to last three hours. 343 Jadwin Hall. | |
| 3:30–4:30 | American Studies Program open house. 42 McCosh Hall. | |
| 3:30–4:30 | Politics Department open house. 127 Corwin Hall. | |
| 4:00–5:00 | Art Museum open house with scavenger hunts and prizes. Meet in the lobby of the museum, McCormick Hall. Refreshments served. | |
| 4:00–5:00 | “Crumpets in the Crypt.” Reception for freshmen interested in Chapel Choir. (For information, contact Penna Rose at prose@princeton.edu or 8-3654.) Chapel Crypt. | |
| 4:00–5:00 | McCarter Theatre tour. Students gather in the main theater to learn about the coming season’s music, dance, and theater. | |
| 5:30–7:00 | Center for Jewish Life HabibiQ (BBQ). Frist South Lawn (rain location in Center for Jewish Life). | |
| 7:00–10:00 | * | “Sex on a Saturday Night?” sponsored by SHARE and the Residential Education Program. Richardson Auditorium, Alexander Hall. Freshmen will participate in a post-performance discussion facilitated by their residential college advisers and SHARE Peer Advisers at their respective residential colleges. |
| 7:00–8:00 | * | Performance for residents of Butler, Forbes, and Wilson colleges only. |
| 9:00–10:00 | * | Performance for residents of Mathey, Rockefeller, and Whitman colleges only. |
Thursday, September 15
| 8:00 a.m. | Classes begin. | |
| 5:00–7:00 | “Nassau Street Sampler” at the Princeton University Art Museum. The museum stays open late to welcome the Class of 2015 with food, drinks, giveaways, and entertainment. | |
| 7:00–9:00 | * | “Alcohol and the Princeton Social Scene” sponsored by the residential college advisers and the Residential Education Program. Small group discussion/activities devoted to dispelling myths and discussing the role of alcohol on campus. Residential colleges. |
Friday, September 16
| 9:00 a.m.–1:00 | Athletic physicals for all first-year intercollegiate athletes (except crew). Contact your coach for assigned times for your team. McCosh Health Center. | |
| Noon–3:00 | Activities fair. More than 300 student groups participate looking for new members. Dillon Gym. |