Princeton University

Overview

Princeton is a private research university in a small New Jersey town about an hour from both New York and Philadelphia. Undergraduates live in residential colleges, and independent work is a defining feature: most students complete junior papers and a senior thesis under faculty supervision. That emphasis on sustained research writing shapes what Princeton looks for in an application.

How to apply for 2026-27

Princeton accepts the Common Application and the QuestBridge Application. Its checklist does not list the Coalition Application.

• Single-choice early action: due November 1, 2026. Restrictive but not binding.
• Regular decision: due January 1, 2027.
• Graded written paper: required. Princeton prefers a paper from English or history, marked by your teacher.

The graded paper catches many Canadian applicants off guard. Choose a recent analytical essay with your teacher's marks and comments visible, not a creative piece.

Testing: optional now, required for fall 2028

Princeton's testing page says that for first-year and transfer applicants seeking to enrol in fall 2027, Princeton remains test optional, and students who do not submit scores will not be at a disadvantage. Starting with applicants for fall 2028, the SAT or ACT will be required, with no minimum score.

If you do submit, scores must come directly from the testing agency, and Princeton encourages sending all of them. Sit the SAT or ACT by the October date for early action or the December date for regular decision. Students whose first language is not English and whose school does not teach in English must submit TOEFL, IELTS Academic, Duolingo or PTE Academic results.

Costs and financial aid

Princeton's cost and aid page says admission is need-blind, with no disadvantage for aid applicants, and that Princeton is one of a handful of universities applying the same aid policy to international students. Aid is grant-based. Princeton uses its own Princeton Financial Aid Application (PFAA), which it says works for both US and international applicants, rather than the CSS Profile. Check the aid office's instructions for which tax documents a Canadian family should upload.

The illustrative income tables Princeton publishes assume a US household, so use the net price calculator for a realistic estimate.

Choosing your graded paper

Princeton wants to see how you write when a teacher is grading you, not your most polished personal essay. A good choice is a recent analytical piece from Grade 11 or Grade 12 English or history that shows an argument supported by evidence. Leave the teacher's comments and mark visible. If your strongest work is in French, read Princeton's guidance on non-English papers before you upload it. Follow the submission instructions on Princeton's application checklist, and confirm the paper shows as received before the deadline.

Preparing as a Canadian student

The thesis culture rewards students who already read critically and write with evidence. Our critical reading and reasoning deck and the APA 7 citation guide are useful habits to build early. The StudyBrix United States guide explains the wider admission process.