Admissions FAQ

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STANDARDIZED TESTS

1. Do accepted international students in general have lower SAT scores than accepted American students? We do not break up standardized testing information by region. Detailed statistics for the entire admit group can be found here: http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/admission_statistics/.

 2. If I take the SAT more than three times, will that be negative because it means it took me many tries to reach a decent score? No, you may take it multiple times. We consider the highest score from each section of the SAT or the highest composite ACT score. We also place the greatest emphasis on your top two SAT Subject Tests, if you take more than the required two.

 3. How important is my TOEFL score? Is there a big difference if I get 110 or 115? It is an important piece of the application if English is not your first language or if you are not in an English-speaking program of study. You need to demonstrate that you are proficient in the language.

EXTRACURRICULAR ACTIVITIES

4. How much weight is given to that I have already participated in extracurricular activities that I can continue to pursue in college, for example Model UN?

 5. How do you view business-related extracurricular activities? I ran my own company during high school but that great time commitment stopped me from engaging in academic extracurriculars.

Svar på både 4 och 5: We are interested in the talents and interests you would bring to Princeton outside the classroom. We don't value one type of activity over another. Rather, we appreciate sustained commitment to the interests you have chosen to pursue. Some of the students we admit have one well-honed talent; others have participated in a range of activities. We take particular note of leadership and exceptional talents or accomplishments. 

 6. In Sweden, we do not at all have a tradition of engaging in extracurricular activities. Unlike in American high schools, we do not have a wide range of groups, sports and organizations to participate in. Do you take this into consideration if my list of extracurriculars is not as impressive as those of U.S. students? We take this into consideration and recognize that opportunities for non-academic activities may be limited for international applicants.

ADMISSION PROCEDURE

7. What is the process like when you review applications? Are there separate readers for international students? Every single file is considered for admission, and our entire staff reads international applications.

8. How much time do you spend on each application? Do you go over all parts in every application or do you have initial elimination rounds where you read only essays, for example? We spend a lot of time with your file – anywhere from 10 to 45 minutes – depending on how compelling you are as a candidate. All parts of the application are read for every applicant.

9. Will you accept only a certain number of people from each country? I.e. do I have a smaller chance of being accepted if many people from my country apply? No, there are no quotas.

10. If I applied and was rejected from Princeton last year and apply again this year, does that increase or decrease my chances of being accepted? It gives you neither an advantage nor a disadvantage.

11. Do you read additional essays that are sent after the Common App deadline? You may send additional materials, but please make sure they add value to your application – it’s about quality, not quantity. We’ll try our best to review extra essays but can’t promise that every single one will be read.

12. Can letters of recommendation from famous people increase my chances of being accepted? Do you read such letters if they are sent after the Common App deadline? The value of a letter of recommendation has more to do with the information it shares about your qualities as a person rather than who submitted the letter on your behalf.

COURSEWORK AND GRADES

13. In Sweden, the maximum GPA is 20.0. Does it make any difference if I have 19.6 or 20.0? We consider all of these measures within the context of each applicant’s school and situation. Our most promising candidates tend to earn strong grades and have comparatively high scores on standardized tests. We also look at other parts of the application, including teacher references and essays, to learn more about what kind of student you are and how you approach learning.

14. In high school, do you prefer that I take introductory courses in many different subjects or that I take advanced courses in a few subjects? We expect applicants to have taken courses in the following, if possible: English, mathematics, foreign language, laboratory science and history. (Full details are given on the Academic Preparation page, see http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/preparation/) In addition, we look for applicants who have challenged themselves with honors, advanced placement (AP) and dual-enrollment courses available to them. We evaluate International Baccalaureate (IB), A-levels or another diploma within the context of the program’s curriculum.

OTHER

15. How much consideration is given to unusual personal/family circumstances if the applicant is otherwise academically qualified? We evaluate everything about your application in context, including personal and family circumstances.

16. I took a gap year after graduation. Do I have to tick the box "I did/will take a gap year" on the form "Educational Interruption" on Common App? I missed to tick this box. Can I send in a letter afterwards to explain what I did on my gap year? You should check the box, if possible. Regardless, all applicants taking a gap year should tell us what they are doing during this time.