Princeton University has offered admission to 13 transfer students for entry in fall 2018, the first transfer admissions since the University reinstated its transfer program. The renewed program is aimed at especially encouraging applicants from low-income, military or community college backgrounds.
The University received 1,429 applications for the transfer program, which looked to enroll a small group of exceptionally well-prepared transfer students from a range of backgrounds. The University’s undergraduate admission office has mailed letters to students in the transfer pool, and applicants were able to see their decisions via secure online access beginning the evening of Tuesday, May 8.
“We are delighted to have reinstituted the transfer process this year, and we are especially pleased with the quality of the admitted transfer students,” Dean of Admission Janet Lavin Rapelye said. “The committee was impressed with their intellectual curiosity, leadership, maturity and diverse perspectives, which they will bring to our campus, and we look forward to meeting them.”
Of the students receiving offers of admission, eight have served on active duty in the military or are currently serving. Three of the students offered admission are women; 10 are men. Eight self-identified as people of color, including biracial and multiracial students. The admitted students come from states including Florida, California, Pennsylvania, Texas, New York and Hawaii. The admitted students have attended community colleges including Miami Dade College in Florida, Fresno City College in California and Tompkins Cortland Community College in New York.
A moratorium on the transfer process had begun in 1990. In January 2016, the Board of Trustees adopted a strategic planning framework identifying key goals and priorities for Princeton and authorized reinstating a transfer program.
The strategic planning framework states: “Experience at other universities shows that transfer programs can provide a vehicle to attract students with diverse backgrounds and experiences, such as qualified military veterans and students from low-income backgrounds, including some who might begin their careers at community colleges.”
The University opened the admission process for transfer students in fall 2017, particularly encouraging applications from students from low-income backgrounds, community college students and U.S. military veterans.
Admitted candidates have until May 22 to accept Princeton’s offer of admission.
Transfer students, like first-year students, must begin their enrollment in the fall semester. Most students will be expected to begin in their sophomore (second) year. However, in some cases, students may begin as juniors, or be required to enter as first-year students. In all cases, Princeton faculty and college deans will determine this standing after an evaluation of transfer credit.
The University’s generous financial aid program provides the assistance necessary to make sure that a Princeton education is genuinely affordable for every admitted student, including transfer and international students. The financial aid program comes in the form of grants, which do not need to be repaid. Over 60 percent of the currently enrolled first-year class receives aid, and the average grant is $50,600 per year. No student is required to take out loans and can therefore graduate debt free. Students who applied for aid with family incomes up to $160,000 typically pay no tuition.