Princeton Acceptance Rate & Admission Requirements Guide

Princeton University, established in 1746, is one of the oldest and most prestigious institutions in the Ivy League. Located in the heart of New Jersey, it has earned a global reputation for academic excellence and attracts talented applicants from around the world.

Getting into Princeton University requires more than just strong grades and test scores—it’s about presenting a well-rounded application that showcases your academic achievements, extracurricular involvement, and personal qualities. As one of the most selective universities, Princeton evaluates applicants holistically, seeking individuals who will thrive in its rigorous academic environment and contribute meaningfully to its community.

Below, we’ve outlined key insights into Princeton’s admissions process to help you assess your competitiveness and identify ways to strengthen your application.

Princeton University Acceptance Rate

Like all the other Ivy League schools, Princeton University’s selectivity is no secret. In 2023, Princeton’s acceptance rate was just 4%, with more than 96 out of every 100 applicants being denied. This figure includes a slightly higher acceptance rate for single-choice early action applicants, meaning the regular decision acceptance rate was even lower—closer to 3%.

Standing out in such a growing competitive pool is essential. While these numbers might seem intimidating, understanding Princeton’s priorities and tailoring your application to align with their expectations can significantly enhance your chances.

Princeton GPA Requirements

Let’s start with your grade point average (GPA). Princeton admissions officers will calculate this based on your high school transcript, which you’ll submit with your overall application.

It is important to understand that a strong unweighted GPA, while taking as many AP, IB or honors courses as your schools offers. Weighted GPAs are not always as useful to determine how you are performing because high schools weight GPAs differently and because they can hide how far you are from a high enough GPA for Princeton. In truth, you need close to a 4.0 unweighted GPA to get into Princeton. That means nearly straight As in every class, while also taking the highest rigor classes available to you at your high school.

SAT Score and ACT Score Requirements

Princeton, like the rest of the Ivy League and most other colleges, prefers that you have either an SAT score or ACT score for admission. In the past few years, Princeton has been test-optional, but Princeton most definitely prefers applicants who have standardized testing scores. Princeton has no particular preference between the SAT and ACT, so choose the test that’s a better fit for you, thoroughly prepare for it, and plan to take it multiple times.

The SAT scores and ACT composite scores for students admitted to Princeton varies. The table below shows the 25th through 75th percentile SAT and ACT scores, with the average Princeton SAT score being 1520 and the average Princeton ACT score being 34. However, remember that unless you fall into certain privileged categories (athletes, legacies, donors, etc.), your SAT score or ACT score should be closer to the top of the listed range to help increase your chances of being admitted.

Princeton Average ACT Scores and SAT Scores, 25^th to 75^th Percentile Data

Test	Average Admitted Student Score Ranges	Average Score of Admitted Student
SAT Total Range	1460-1570	152o
ACT Composite Range	33-35	34

* Note that Princeton University superscores the SAT, not the ACT. That means they will mix and match section test scores from different days for the SAT, but only look at composite ACT scores from single test dates.

Other Princeton Application Requirements

Those are the overall academic requirements for Princeton. But what about everything else? Students who get admitted to Princeton have a lot more than just impressive standardized test scores and high GPAs. In addition to considering your academic resume, the college admissions officers at Princeton are interested in hearing about all the other parts of your life. In addition to reporting your grades and test scores, there are a few more key aspects of the Princeton admissions process:

• Two teacher recommendations and one counselor letter
• A high school transcript
• A mid-year report
• A $70 application fee or fee waiver
• A completed Common Application
• Princeton-specific essays

Letters of Recommendation

First, to gain a more holistic view of who you are as a student beyond your transcripts and test scores, Princeton will ask for letters of recommendation from two of your teachers as well as your school counselor. When deciding who to ask, don’t focus only on the teachers who gave you the best grades, but the people who know you well and will write great, personal letters.

Princeton also allows for Additional Recommenders, which can be submitted through the Common Application. We highly recommend that students take advantage of this to showcase their leadership and/or character. Princeton cares a lot about who you are and how others in your community view you. These letters can certainly help you stand out.

Counselor Recommendation & School Documents

Second, in addition to your transcript and his/her letter, your school counselor will submit a few additional documents:
• A school report, which includes your school’s demographics and its most notable features (like if there’s a limit on how many AP classes you can take)
• A mid-year report, which will update Princeton on your senior year grades that might not be officially posted when you apply.

These items will also help Princeton contextualize your application.

The Common Application & Essay

Then, you’ll need to submit the Common Application (or Coalition Application). When you apply to college, you’ll quickly become familiar with this online interface; it’ll be where you go to apply not only to Princeton but to Harvard University, Dartmouth College, and Yale University, too! Much of the Common Application is standard demographic and educational information. You’ll also fill out an activities section, where you’ll detail all your extracurricular involvement. The activities section of the Common App is an important way that students can demonstrate what they have accomplished outside of the classroom during high school. For Princeton, this is one important way for students to distinguish themselves from other applicants, provided that grades and scores have already been considered.

On top of that information, the Common Application asks for a single personal essay that will be submitted to all your schools. This essay, of 650 words or less, is your chance to tell Princeton and the rest of your schools about an important moment or theme in your life. A strong Common App essay is key to a competitive application, so plan to revise it several times! The Common App essay is your change to give Princeton a glimpse of who you are beyond your grades and test scores. Can you tell a story that helps the Princeton admissions officers “see” you in real life?

Supplemental Essays

Princeton’s supplemental essays provide a unique opportunity to showcase your individuality and demonstrate how you align with the university’s values and culture. These essays go beyond academics, allowing you to explore your passions, reflect on your experiences, and explain how you’ll contribute to Princeton’s dynamic community. The prompts change each year, but they consistently focus on personal growth, meaningful experiences, and your perspective on the world.

For instance, recent essay topics include:

1. Sharing the significance of a meaningful activity, job, or hobby in your life.
2. Discussing a time you engaged in a challenging conversation and the insights you gained.
3. Identifying a song that captures your current life’s soundtrack.

Writing compelling supplemental essays requires thoughtful planning and a strong sense of your personal narrative. Developing authentic responses that tie your experiences and values to Princeton’s mission can significantly strengthen your application.

Application Fee

The application fee to apply to Princeton costs $70. This fee can be waived if you show proof of financial hardship.

Application Deadlines

As you finalize your application to Princeton, it’s crucial to be mindful of the following deadlines:

• Single-Choice Early Action applications are due by November 1, with decisions released in mid-December.
• Regular Decision applications must be submitted by January 1, with decisions announced in April.

Admitted students have until May 1 to confirm their enrollment. Keeping track of these dates and submitting your materials well in advance can help you avoid any unnecessary complications during the application process.

Demographics of Admitted Students at Princeton

Princeton University welcomes prospective students from across the United States and around the world, reflecting a commitment to diversity in its student body. For the Class of 2026, here is admissions data of the demographic profile of enrolled students:

• 49% male applicants and 51% female applicants
• 25% identifying as Asian American
• 9% identifying as African-American or Black
• 8% identifying as Latinx
• Less than 1% identifying as Native American or Pacific Islander
• 17% who are first-generation college students
• 15% are international students

Crafting a Balanced College Application Strategy

Princeton’s highly selective nature means that even the most qualified applicants should consider applying to other competitive schools, such as Harvard, Yale, or Cornell. To build a well-rounded application strategy, it’s also important to include schools with slightly lower admission hurdles to keep your options open.

Best of luck as you navigate the application process! If you’re feeling unsure about anything—whether it’s interpreting your GPA, deciding when to take standardized tests, choosing extracurriculars, planning summer activities, or tackling your essays—don’t hesitate to reach out for guidance from an admissions consultant. A thoughtful approach can make all the difference.

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