Overview
Princeton welcomes applications from students around the world. Information for international students applying for undergraduate degrees(Link is external) are available on the Office of Undergraduate Admission website(Link is external). International students considering applying to a master’s or Ph.D. degree program can learn more on the Graduate School website(Link is external).
Princeton considers U.S. citizens and non-U.S. citizens alike in the admission and financial process. In fact, Princeton is one of only a handful of schools in the country that do not limit financial aid for international undergraduates, treating international and U.S. students the same in the financial aid process.
Undergraduate Applicants
The Office of Undergraduate Admission reviews all applications in the same manner, regardless of citizenship or country of residence. For undergraduate admission, you apply to Princeton and not to a particular department or school. More information for international students(Link is external) is available on the undergraduate admission website(Link is external).
Financial Aid
The full need of all admitted international students is met the same as it is for students from the United States. Your family’s ability to pay for your university education is not a factor in our admission decision. Our financial aid program is entirely based on need. Princeton does not offer academic or athletic merit scholarships.
English Proficiency
If English is not your native language and you are attending a school where English is not the language of instruction, you must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System Academic (IELTS Academic) or the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic), in addition to the SAT or ACT.
Application and Test Requirements
We encourage you to visit the Office of Undergraduate Admission website(Link is external) for a helpful application checklist(Link is external) for undergraduates, as well as information about standardized test requirements(Link is external) and deadlines.
Graduate Applicants
Students from around the world are encouraged to apply for graduate admission to Princeton. More than 40 percent of Graduate School students are citizens of other countries. The application to a master’s or Ph.D. program is the same for U.S. citizens, permanent residents or international applicants. More information about graduate admission(Link is external) is available on the Graduate School website(Link is external).
Admission Process
Graduate admission decisions at Princeton are made by faculty in your proposed field of study. The Graduate School coordinates the admission process and establishes minimum requirements for admission. You can learn more about the application process(Link is external) on the Graduate School website(Link is external).
English Language Tests
Graduate students must demonstrate a level of oral proficiency in the English language(Link is external) sufficient to participate successfully in all the activities that comprise a graduate education, including classwork, research, presentations, project teamwork and the teaching of undergraduates. You can learn more about the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Policy(Link is external) and get answers to your questions about English language testing(Link is external) for graduate admission.
Costs and Funding
Princeton guarantees funding for its regularly enrolled, degree-seeking Ph.D. candidates for all years of regular program enrollment, contingent upon satisfactory academic performance. The funding for master’s candidates varies by department.
Resources for International Students
If you are admitted to Princeton, you can take advantage of the many resources on campus that support international undergraduate and graduate students. During your first days of campus, you also will participate in an orientation program to welcome you to the United States and the University.
Visas
The Davis International Center helps international students with all aspects of the visa process in order to study Princeton. You can learn more about obtaining and maintaining a visa(Link is external) on the Davis International Center’s website(Link is external).
English Language and Other Resources
Once on campus, you can participate in a variety of social, cultural and adjustment programs(Link is external) that focus on enhancing the well-being of international students, scholars and their families. The Davis International Center and McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning also offer English language classes and tutoring(Link is external).
Davis International Center
The Davis International Center(Link is external) offers specialized support for international students and scholars to help you adjust to your life at Princeton. Dedicated advisers can assist you with questions about your immigration status and your practical adjustment to the United States. You will have an opportunity to develop social connections and gather information that will help you as you settle into the U.S. culture.