Princeton University

Founded in 1746, Princeton University holds an important place in American education, producing graduates over the past two and a half centuries who have changed the course of history. The thousands of people who have passed through Princeton’s doors over the years have made groundbreaking contributions to government, science, and the arts. Princeton counts among its alumni Albert Einstein, who spent the last 20 years of his life at the school’s Institute for Advanced Study, and John Nash, a mathematician who won the Nobel Prize and whose life was portrayed in the movie, "A Beautiful Mind." In addition, the school’s graduates helped shape U.S. policy as the country moved into its international leadership role after World War II. Princeton's faculty and alumni have also included Eugene O'Neill, F. Scott Fitzgerald, and Toni Morrison–some of the past century’s most influential writers–securing Princeton's stature in the arts, as well.

Located in a small town by the same name, Princeton is about an hour's train ride from both Philadelphia and New York City. Nearly 1,200 freshmen come to the quiet town each fall to enter Princeton's world-renowned undergraduate program. They enjoy an extremely low student-to-faculty ratio–roughly one faculty member for every five students–and access to incredible art collections and libraries.

Princeton prides itself on its commitment to undergraduate education and its strength as a research university. As such, Princeton requires all undergraduate seniors to complete a senior thesis–a roughly 100-page original work. The theses allow the students to apply what they've learned during their undergraduate years to a topic that interests them. They range from scientific research papers to original works of fiction. At most other colleges and universities, thesis projects generally are required only of graduate students. Yet, Princeton's requirement for undergraduate thesis gives its seniors a sense of achievement they can carry into their careers or graduate studies.

Princeton Graduate Admissions

Princeton University's Graduate School offers Ph.D. programs in many academic fields spanning the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, engineering, and architecture and urban planning. It offers master's programs in many of the same fields. The Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs award master's degrees in public affairs, public affairs and urban & regional planning, and public policy, and doctoral degrees in public affairs. Admission to all of Princeton's graduate programs is highly competitive.

Princeton does not have graduate or professional schools of medicine, law, or business.

Note: This page was last updated on September 18, 2006.

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