Colleges Princeton University

Princeton University www.princeton.edu

Princeton University is a private institution that was founded in 1746. It is situated on a 660-acre campus in the quaint, suburban town of Princeton, New Jersey, which is situated between New York City and Philadelphia, with train service to both cities. Princeton is the fourth-oldest college in the United States. Within the walls of its historic ivy-covered campus, Princeton offers a number of events and activities, and features more than 500 student organizations. The university guarantees housing for students for all four years, with more than 98% of undergraduates living on campus. Freshman and sophomores are required to live on campus, specifically in one of the university’s seven residential colleges. Princeton’s unofficial motto, “In the Nation’s Service and in the Service of All Nations,” speaks to the university’s commitment to community service.

Academics

Princeton follows a liberal arts curriculum and offers two bachelor’s degrees to students: a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Science in Engineering. Students can choose from nearly 40 concentrations or create their own. Through courses that focus on cross-disciplinary learning, students can explore timely topics such as artificial intelligence, climate science and entrepreneurship, and also find meaningful ways to connect academic and service endeavors. Princeton students have the flexibility to shape dynamic academic programs and independent projects that prepare them for leadership and lifelong learning. The student-faculty ratio at Princeton is 5:1, and the school has 74% of its classes with fewer than 20 students. Popular majors include Computer Hardware Engineering, Economics, and Public Policy Analysis.

Special Highlights

McGraw Center for Teaching & Learning. The McGraw Center is at the heart of efforts to integrate innovative educational technologies into the academic experience. The center encourages the exploration of new media and digital tools in and around the classroom to encourage active, collaborative and creative learning. The McGraw Center supports faculty, undergraduate and graduate students through various resources and funding initiatives. Its aim is to remove barriers to engagement and learning, and strengthen the university community in creating greater opportunities.

StudioLab. This is a versatile, welcoming, and engaging space for collaboration and creation across STEM disciplines plus the arts, humanities, and social sciences. The space features motion capture, virtual reality, theater lighting, sound system, dance flooring, robots, 3D printing, conductive fabric and sewing, laser cutting, CNC milling, electronics, computers, building, and more. Programmatic initiatives include courses, labs, studios, student projects, student-led and staff-led activities and workshops, open creative hours, and thematic “hackathons”.

School Mission & Unique Qualities

Students live in one of six residential colleges that provide a residential community as well as dining services but have the option to join one of more than 10 eating clubs for their junior and senior years. The eating clubs serve as social and dining organizations for the students who join them. One unique aspect of Princeton’s academic program is that undergraduate students are required to write a senior thesis, or for students in some engineering departments, take on an independent project. According to Princeton legend, if a student exits campus through FitzRandolph Gate prior to graduation, he or she may be cursed never to graduate. Nassau Hall is the University’s oldest building and former capitol of the United States.

Student Reviews…

“I greatly enjoy the overall ambience of Princeton. Academic resources are outstanding, and the amount of help offered to students is nearly overwhelming. The alumni system is very structured, ensuring a connected student body with those in industry or academia.”