Advising

We want you to succeed in your life at Princeton. You will have the academic resources and personal attention to help you discover your intellectual passions and to grow as a scholar. There is no limit to the ideas you might explore — and the people, opportunities and support networks are here to help you flourish.

Princeton is distinguished by its close student-faculty engagement, where faculty members often serve as mentors to students as they progress in their studies. The University is committed to fostering intellectual growth every step along the path, from admission to Commencement, with a far-reaching support structure.

The Office of the Dean of the College (ODOC) is home base for all aspects of the undergraduate academic experience. The Graduate School supports its students' success and collaborates closely with academic departments. All students are encouraged to take advantage of the many advising and tutoring options throughout their time at Princeton.

Photo by

Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

The Office of the Dean of the College oversees the undergraduate curriculum and has a simple message: Study what you love, take advantage of the opportunities around you and find help when you need it. Students are assigned to faculty advisers who assist with course selection and other academic matters.

Residential Colleges and Advising

It's home — and a place of learning: Academic advising for first-years and sophomores is centered in the residential colleges. Each college has a faculty head supported by deans and directors of studies. Undergraduates are encouraged to explore their academic interests and goals with staff in the residential colleges. Fellow students also are extremely important for academic questions — the residential colleges have undergraduate peer advisers who offer perspectives on the academic experience, while residential college advisers, who are juniors and seniors, serve as mentors. The colleges also have study areas, even libraries, where students can pursue their work. Study breaks at especially busy times can be a fun way to blow off steam with peers.

Meeting Students' Needs

Princeton is committed to the academic success of all its students. Programs and resources are continually being enhanced to meet the specific needs of our students, who come from a wide range of backgrounds.

For example, the Scholars Institute Fellows Program (SIFP) empowers students from first-generation and low-income backgrounds through mentorship, academic enrichment and a support network of faculty, staff and students. Students form an engaged community and build on each others' strengths throughout their time at Princeton.

The Freshman Scholars Institute is a seven-week academic program for select incoming students that immerses them in campus life through academic, co-curricular and extracurricular programming.

Freshman Scholars Institute Bottle Rocket Launch

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Nayana Prasad Nagendra (second from right), celebrates her hooding with her adviser, David August (far right), professor of computer science, and her daughters, Isha, 10, and Darsha, 3.

Princeton's graduate students are a community of scholars who enjoy a high level of engagement with faculty members. Your academic department and faculty adviser are your first point of contact for information and support. Further support is available through the Graduate School's Student Life team, as well as various campus programs for advising and skills development.

Photo by

Denise Applewhite, Office of Communications

Support From the McGraw Center

Get some tips and learn something new: At the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, students can learn strategies to master large reading assignments, take effective notes, study efficiently, prepare for exams and use digital media. You can also get support for specific courses, including individual tutoring and technology training.

Help From the Writing Center

The Writing Center offers Princeton writers free, one-on-one conferences with experienced fellow writers trained to respond to assignments in any discipline.  Fellows at the center offer help to undergraduates and graduate students on writing for various projects and even oral presentations, and to international students adjusting to American academic writing.