Princeton University is a prestigious training under the “Code of Honor. Princeton University: Tuition Fees, Faculties and Professions, How to Apply to Princeton

Princeton University (official website http://www.princeton.edu/) is one of the oldest universities.

The history of its formation has more than one century. It was first founded in 1746 as a college in New Jersey, and after its transfer to the city of Princeton (New Jersey) in 1756, it was awarded the title of university.

Princeton University building

Many famous politicians, writers, researchers, public figures and actors graduated from Princeton. This educational center of the country is famous for its first-class teaching staff. At one time, prominent scientists and researchers lectured here, including Albert Einstein. It is Princeton teachers who are the developers and creators of the famous TOEFL language test.

On the territory of the university there are many historical buildings, the photos of which amaze with their majesty and solemnity. Near one of these structures - erected in 1756 Nassau Hall - graduation ceremonies are traditionally held.

Academic structure of Princeton University

Alexander Hall (photo by asergeev)

The main components of the complex mechanism of the educational structure of the educational institution are: a college, schools of public and international relations, graduate departments, as well as several research centers with excellent laboratory and technical equipment. An impressive part of the equipment used is the result of scientific implementations of university scientists.

The list of students has about 8,000 people, who are taught by more than 1,100 teachers.

The list of main areas of study at Princeton University includes the following faculties:

Architecture of Princeton University (photo by asergeev)

• geological and geophysical sciences
• philosophy
• mathematics
• astrophysical sciences
• biological
• sociology, psychology, politics
• architecture and urban planning
• physics
• economy
• technical and applied sciences
• physical culture.

Numerous art libraries, studios, a large educational theater, and the most valuable archives of historical and scientific literature are at the service of students and graduate students.

To accommodate students, there are 6 comfortable hostels.

Admission conditions

To be admitted to Princeton students, applicants will be required to:

sculpture by Henry Moore, Princeton University (photo by asergeev)

• TOEFL or IELTS certificates
• diplomas, diplomas and certificates, indicating any merits of the applicant
• a document on the previous stage of education of an international standard (especially relevant for foreign applicants who decide to study abroad)
• successfully passing entrance exams based on the so-called "Code of Honor" - a policy of academic integrity created by Princeton employees back in 1893.

I must say that this educational institution conducts a very strict selection of students for enrollment. Less than 10% of the list of applicants who have expressed a desire to receive a Princeton education become students. In the face of fierce competition and a fairly high cost of education, there are not so many foreign students here (a completely different situation is observed in such US educational institutions as or).

Cost of education

fountain of freedom, James Fitzgerald (photo by asergeev)

It is the first university to stop issuing tuition loans to needy students and has introduced a broad practice of using grants. About 60% of Princeton freshmen receive financial aid, which averages about $35,700, assuming an estimated annual fee of $37,000. As additional expenses for students, the cost of accommodation and meals is listed.

For everyone who wants to get a prestigious education, I suggest watching a video tour of Princeton University:

Princeton University is famous all over the world for its famous alumni and unique scientific developments. The educational institution is among the top ten universities in North America. Therefore, graduates from all over the world dream of entering this prestigious university. From other educational institutions, Princeton is distinguished by a scrupulous approach to teaching not only technical and natural sciences, but also humanitarian subjects. The curriculum developed by the university management meets the modern needs of the labor market, the demands of employers and the interests of young people.

Creation of the university

In 1736, the British colonial administration decided to create a new educational institution in North America - the New Jersey School. It was planned that within the walls of the New Jersey School, students would receive a classical education. After 32 years, J. Witherspoon became the head of the educational institution. Under him, the requirements for applicants became tougher, and the curriculum began to include the subjects most in demand in practical life. The merit of Witherspoon was the fact that he tried to attract private investors to his institution.

The school of New Jersey became a university only at the end of the 19th century, after the number of curricula was increased. Then it was decided to name the university in honor of the city of Princeton, where the central campus was built. In 1900, the School of Postgraduate Education appeared at the university, where undergraduates and graduate students studied.

Another famous head of Printon was W. Wilson, who in 1913 became the 28th President of the United States. He created at the university and the current system of colloquia and seminars, and also issued an order for the reading of lecture courses that met the needs of each student.

University structure

The main building of the university occupies a huge territory, the area of ​​​​which is 202.3 hectares. The university campus unites 180 different buildings - classrooms, research laboratories, gyms, dormitories. Each of these buildings has its own unique architectural style, from colonial and Romanesque to Gothic and Art Nouveau. In addition, a part of the university are: convenient parking lots, forests, squares, parks, a lake, bicycle and pedestrian paths. Among other infrastructure facilities, it is worth noting the following:

• Lewis Arts Center, where students who want to connect their lives with culture and art study. Theatrical performances are also held here;
• Theaters and galleries;
• Cafes and restaurants;
• Supermarkets and boutiques;
• Museums of Culture and Natural History;
• Art Gallery;
• Publishing house;
• Faculties and colleges;
• Libraries;
• Research Institute.

Educational complexes

There are a large number of departments at Princeton University: various faculties, colleges and high schools. Some of them graduate only bachelors, others - masters and doctors of sciences. The structure of the university includes such colleges as:

• College for the preparation of bachelors in applied sciences and the humanities;
• Graduate school designed for graduate students and masters. Here you can improve your skills in natural, applied, humanitarian or social sciences;
• School of Engineering and Applied Sciences for bachelors, masters and graduate students. Here, students receive not only excellent theoretical training, but also consolidate their knowledge in practice;
• School of Architecture, where bachelors, masters and graduate students can study in urban and architectural studios;
• Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, where bachelors and masters can study.

In total, Princeton has more than thirty bachelor's degree programs. Also, almost all faculties have master's and postgraduate studies.

Students live in six dormitories located next to the academic buildings.

Financial support

The university has a multidisciplinary program for providing material assistance to students. Students may be eligible for scholarships, grants or assistance with internships. An application for financial assistance can be submitted along with other documents to the selection committee. At Princeton, more than 60% of students study using the university scholarship fund. Scholarships are either partial or full. However, the university administration pays a 100% scholarship in very rare cases.

There are also several dozen special grants. Bachelors, masters and doctoral students can apply for them. Talented students involved in the implementation of projects in the field of security can count on the Boren Scholarship. For lovers of travel and cultural exchanges under the age of 25, there is a Laura Bush Scholarship. You can also apply for an internship from DAAD (Germany), receive a so-called summer scholarship from Martin A. Dale, or request financial assistance from the Princeton Dean's Foundation to attend a conference, seminar, symposium or summer school.

Double degree

Princeton students can receive a diploma in two specialties at the end of their studies. This program is designed for undergraduates who want to study in the main and additional areas. You can get a double degree in materials science, engineering, social policy, neuroscience, demography and public law.

The second degree is awarded by one of Princeton's partner universities, such as Stanford, California, Yale, Pennsylvania, or Chicago.

It is impossible to get an MBA directly from Princeton, so many students enroll in joint programs at. With this university, the rector's office of Princeton has signed an appropriate cooperation agreement.

Dormitories and clubs

Students have the opportunity to live in dormitories that are located next to the main campus. Life in the dormitories is organized on a collegiate system, like at Stanford and Harvard. This allows young people to receive support in education, research, leisure and sports. You can live in a hostel for 4 years, while the bachelor's program lasts. But masters and graduate students also prefer to rent a room in one of the university residences, since renting an apartment or apartment in the city is quite expensive. The cost of living in a hostel will cost 300-400 dollars a month.

Princeton students decide on their own how to organize their meals. You can choose from:

• Canteens at colleges;
• Cafe;
• Restaurants;
• Dining clubs.

The Princeton Dining Club is more than just a place to grab a bite to eat. Such clubs combine the functions of a dining room and a place for debates, communication and meetings with classmates. There are ten such clubs in total. Five of them accept everyone if there are free places, and in order to get into any of the remaining clubs, you need to go through a special selection procedure. Each candidate is discussed by the current members of the club, who decide whether to accept a newcomer or not. Since participation in the club is expensive, a certain amount is included in the scholarship programs for lunches in such establishments.

Clubs are an important part of the university, so their traditions are honored and respected by all Princeton students. Each exclusion of a student from the club becomes a real precedent.

Previously, there were eleven clubs, but in 1937 one was closed, turning it into a writer's center. In Princeton, disputes about the legitimacy of such a decision still do not subside.

In addition to clubs, there are closed student communities that operate in secret.

How to get into Princeton University

Princeton provides an opportunity to get to know the university even before admission. You can do this by visiting the official website of the university, looking at the personal blogs of teachers and getting acquainted with the history of a particular college or department. The administration of Princeton University supports the development of computer and information technologies, so you can also find out about the educational institution through the free iTunesU application. This application has a separate IPrinceton program where you can watch podcasts, videos about scientific and educational projects, news, theater productions and various events from student life.

There are two ways to submit documents:

• Single Choice Early Action Option - designed for those who will only submit papers to Princeton. This can be done before November 1 of each year, and the results will be known on December 15;
• Regular Decision - for applicants who apply to several universities. The deadline for submission is January 1 of each year, and the decision on admission or refusal is sent by March 31.

The set of required documents that must be sent to the admissions office includes the following papers (for more information about the admission process to Princeton, see the link: https://admission.princeton.edu/how-apply):

• Common University Application, which can be downloaded from: http://www.commonapp.org/ (Common Application) or https://uca.applywithus.com/apply/to/princeton (Universal College Application);
• Addition to the main form, which is downloaded from the link: https://admission.princeton.edu/how-apply/application-checklist/princeton-supplement;
• Additional application for foreign citizens - International Application;
• High school diploma or diploma translated into English;
• Extract of grades for the half year;
• Recommendations from two teachers;
• SAT or ACT exam results;
• Sometimes you need to pass an interview, which is conducted by one of the graduates of Princeton University;
• Certificate of Proficiency in English. Most often, they ask to provide the results of the international TOEFL exam.

Remember that documents are not accepted from applicants who are already studying at another university.

Almost every applicant can become a student of this prestigious university, since Princeton has fairly liberal admission conditions. A big plus for an applicant who wants to enter Princeton will be success in dancing, painting or sports. Before entering, applicants should direct their efforts to any socially useful or scientific projects in order to stand out from other applicants.

Each applicant must pass a series of entrance exams:

• SAT or Academic Assessment Test, which is taken in all universities in the United States;
• The ACT or American Testing is another college or university entrance test;
• SAT Subjects (two subjects to choose from);
• Write two essays.

You can take the SAT and ACT in your home country. If this is not possible, then you can submit papers without them. But this makes it difficult to fully assess the capabilities of applicants. Essays should be written on current topics: about a person, an event, a certain acute issue. The problem of an essay should be important for society, so you should take a responsible approach to writing an essay. All arguments must be stated clearly and understandably, it is advisable to adhere to a pre-written plan, draw intermediate conclusions and conclusions.

How much does it cost to study at Princeton?

The average tuition fee for the last academic year (2016-2017) was $63.4 thousand. Of these, the curriculum fee was more than $45,000, and room and board cost a little more than $8,000.

On average, expenses for one academic year at Princeton University will consist of the following items:

• Cost of education;
• Food;
• Textbooks, notebooks, manuals;
• Visit to the gym;
• Fare;
• Books;
• Entertainment;
• Stationery;
• Payment for accommodation;
• Medical insurance.

A bachelor's degree for one student per year will cost around 49.5 thousand dollars. Of these: 37 thousand - training; 3.6 thousand - food and textbooks; 6.6 thousand - hostel; 2.3 thousand - medical insurance. Master's degree will cost a little more. For example, a master's program will cost 38.6 thousand; textbooks, meals, stationery - 3.6 thousand; medical insurance - 2.3 thousand; hostel - 6.6 thousand people

University achievements

• 30 Nobel laureates;
• Allocation of funds to ensure the work of 75 research institutes, two national laboratories in geophysical hydrodynamics and plasma physics (have national status);
• Employees and teaching staff of the university are the authors and developers of the international test for knowledge of the English language TOEFL;
• At Princeton, new ways were discovered to capture and convert carbon dioxide;
• The presence of external sources of funding for scientific and research activities, allowing you to receive hundreds of millions of dollars every year;
• Several thousand scientific projects are carried out at the university every year, and half of them are funded from outside.

Famous Alumni

• The fourth President of the United States, James Madison, studied at Princeton and later became the drafter of the United States Constitution;
• Japanese prose writer, essayist and translator Haruki Murakami;
• Former US First Lady Michelle Obama;
• Francis S. Fitzgerald, who wrote The Great Gatsby but never graduated from university.

Princeton University is located at a distance of 70 kilometers from New York and the same distance from Philadelphia, in the small quiet town of Princeton, New Jersey. The university was founded in 1746, which makes it one of the oldest educational institutions in America. Princeton was the first university to offer financial assistance to needy students in the form of grants (not to be confused with loans). Princeton University is in the Ivy League.

In the 2014-2015 academic year, Princeton University has 5,200 undergraduate and 2,600 graduate students, with more than 1,100 faculty members.

Among the famous graduates of Princeton University there are many Nobel Prize winners, famous writers, mathematicians, economists and politicians, among which are US Presidents James Madison and Woodrow Wilson, Nobel Prize winner John Nash and writer Haruki Murakami.

Students who graduate from Princeton receive bachelor's or master's degrees in the humanities, engineering, natural sciences, or social sciences.

Tuition at Princeton University

Tuition fees at Princeton as of 2015 are:

Course of study - 41820 $

Dorm room – $7570

Meals - 6050 $

Other expenses (books, supplies, etc.) – $3525

In total, one year of study at Princeton University will cost you $58,965. This amount is huge not only for visiting foreigners, but also for the average American, so there are many loans and savings accounts that have been set aside for decades. But, even having the necessary amount, this does not guarantee you admission to this temple of knowledge. On average, about 10% of applicants will get to study at Princeton University.

Rules for submitting applications for admission to Princeton University are equal for all applicants, including international applicants with low and middle income levels. Princeton has a grant system. Today, about 60% of first-year students receive financial aid. Students who fail to receive a grant can get a job on the campus of the university, working there during the academic year and summer holidays.

Princeton has about 5,000 undergraduate students and about 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students applying for master's and doctoral degrees. The ratio of men and women among students is approximately equal to 51:49. Foreign students on average make up about 9% of all undergraduate students.

It is believed that getting into Princeton is more difficult than any other university in America. Thus, out of 18.9 thousand people who applied in 2007, only 1245 people, or 9.6%, were admitted. Entries included 8% African American, 15% Asian American, 8% Hispanic, about 1% American Indian, and 6% of mixed ethnicity and racial origin. 11% of enrolled students in 2007 were foreigners.

The number of teachers at Princeton is more than 1200. Among them there are Nobel Prize winners in physics, literature, economics and medicine.

Tuition at Princeton

Tuition at the university is one of the highest in the United States. In the 2007-2008 academic year, it amounted to 47.4 thousand dollars a year. This included $33,000 in tuition, about $11,000 for room and board, and various mandatory expenses for textbooks, telephone, recreation, sports activities, and the like. - 3.4 thousand dollars. The average annual amount of financial assistance from various sources (loans, grants, scholarships, student work) for those who entered in 2007 amounted to 31 thousand dollars.

Tuition fees at Princeton University for 2014-2015

Princeton is not only a recognized leading center for the preparation of undergraduate and graduate students, it is one of the world's major research centers. On average, the university annually spends more than 140 million dollars on research in various fields. These funds come from government departments, private corporations and non-profit foundations. The endowment of the university (a non-profit fund created for development purposes) reaches almost 16 billion dollars. Every year, scientists and teachers of the university publish more than 2.3 thousand units of printed matter. The university has more than 60 research institutes, centers, programs and projects in various fields of knowledge.

The library fund of the university is unique. The main library is located in Fireston - the length of the bookshelves in it is more than 70 miles, more than 2 thousand students can study here at the same time. Its funds contain over 4 million volumes. The library collections of all Princeton libraries contain more than 11 million titles - this is undoubtedly one of the largest book collections in the world.

Student life at Princeton is extremely diverse. The university has more than 200 student organizations of cultural, religious, political, ethnic and other orientations. The campus has six drama theatres, a university orchestra, a choir and jazz ensemble, an opera house and a church choir.

Princeton is well known in the sports world as well. More than 1,000 students annually take part in inter-university competitions, the university field 40 teams in various sports, it is consistently ranked in the top ten US universities for its sporting achievements.

Sergey Tugarinov has recently turned 21 years old, behind his shoulders - studying at Eton College, a collection of music awards and the title of first violin and accompanist of a symphony orchestra. Two years ago, Sergei entered Princeton, and this year he was selected for an internship and went to study at the Paris Higher School of Politicians and Diplomats Sciences Po. Student and opera singer Tugarinov told how he helps Russian children get into the best universities in the world.

One of the most important stages of selection for a university is an essay (in the English system it is called a personal statement), in which you need to explain why you want to study at this particular university, and how your talents and success at school confirm that you are the best of the applicants. Before me lies an essay, thanks to which Tugarinov was taken to Princeton. In it, he tells how love for Russian music and culture determined his life path. Having lived most of his life in England, Sergei still considers himself Russian.

- I moved to London when I was only 6 years old, and from the age of 13 I studied at boarding school, that is, I actually lived in a boarding school. Under such conditions, I had every chance to become an absolute British, but this did not happen. Since childhood, I have been fascinated by Russian classical music and literature, I am proud of my roots, this is an integral part of me. I think that Russian people are very talented and they can easily compete with the best of Americans, Europeans and Asians.

Two years ago, Tugarinov received offers (“offers”) from several British universities, but chose to study at the American Princeton. A natural question arises: why Princeton, and not Oxford and Cambridge?

- I think that the most important thing is to get into your environment, to find "your" university. You immediately understand that you are in the right place. I was inspired by the example of friends who entered a few years before me. When I first came to Princeton, I immediately knew that I wanted to study there. Of course, the architecture made a great impression, the old buildings that were once built in the image and likeness of Oxford, the city itself is very beautiful, there is a lot of greenery around. But the main thing is similar values ​​in the student community. In Princeton, diversity of cultures and views is valued, which is very close to me. Very friendly atmosphere, does not feel hostile competition. Everyone understands that they deserve their place and support each other. In addition, the university has a very developed musical tradition, and music has always been an integral part of my life.

Tugarinov grew up in a family of musicians, played the violin from an early age, then began to develop an operatic voice. At the age of 12, he was predicted to succeed at the Conservatory, but Sergei decided to continue making music as a hobby. Already in his freshman year, he became a soloist with the main choir of Princeton, with whom he now performs at other universities and travels around the world.

- My very first concert as a soloist of the university choir was at Harvard, it was at the very beginning of the first year. We then performed Rachmaninoff. Later we went to South Africa with the same program, and in January we will have a tour to Spain.

In Princeton, diversity of cultures and views is valued, which is very close to me. Very friendly atmosphere, does not feel hostile competition.

Being engaged in singing for 6 hours a week, Sergey does not forget about his studies and sets himself ambitious goals. To begin with, he plans to gain experience in finance, and then start building his own business by the age of 30. To do this, he is already applying for an internship at large American financial and consulting companies in Boston and New York.

Despite his very young age, Sergey already has experience in building a business in two countries. For the past year and a half, he has been developing the Crimson company, which is engaged in consulting in the field of education. Tugarinov was one of those who opened new offices in London and Moscow, negotiated with partners, hired people into the team, and organized meetings with schoolchildren and parents.

– It is very important for us that everyone who comes to work for us shares our values ​​and understands the culture of our company. We maintain our reputation as a reliable and honest company that is focused on results. We have many clients who want to apply to American universities. Most often, people come through acquaintances whom we helped and who were satisfied. I myself entered Princeton from an English school and I understand well all the features of the process of preparing for Ivy League universities.

Crimson's London office has consultants and tutors who have a track record of successfully preparing students for admission to US and UK universities, but many students target US universities specifically.

- First of all, it is the quality of education and career prospects. Both Oxford and Cambridge are in the top ten international rankings, but there are more choices among American universities. Also, if we are talking about Ivy League universities, they are very well funded. Capable students have every chance to study for free even at the Undergraduate level.

In America, there is a strong tradition of donating money to education, and many graduates who have achieved career heights sponsor their own alma mater in 20-30 years. As a result, the oldest educational institutions are equipped with modern research centers, libraries and laboratories, and applicants can count on a scholarship that is enough not only to pay for tuition, but also for accommodation, meals and educational materials. Thus, 60% of Princeton's enrollment students this year receive an average of $50,000 from the university, which fully covers the cost of education. This year, most students did not pay tuition if their combined family income did not exceed $160,000 a year.

Both Oxford and Cambridge are in the top ten international rankings, but there are more choices among American universities. Also, if we are talking about Ivy League universities, they are very well funded.

There is another reason why students are increasingly opting for American universities. British education becomes narrowly specialized quite early: even at the stage of admission, teenagers choose 3-4 subjects that they want to focus on, and continue to study them in depth all four years at the university. In America, the system is freer.

- Like everyone else, I entered the university as a whole, and not a specific faculty, and only at the end of the second year I chose "major" - my specialization. Teachers understand that objectively at the age of 18-19 it is quite difficult to define a narrow subject area for life, and therefore for the first two years you take several subjects, and then choose those in which you have the greatest ability and interest. I studied a variety of subjects: from microeconomics to the opera class, but in the end I realized that the social and political field is closest to me, so my main subject is international relations and an additional one is French.

How is the preparation for admission, whether it be in an American or British university? First you need to revise your talents and interests, put them together and determine the direction in which to move. On this foundation, a further educational and career path is built, which begins with the choice of a university where your unique skills are valued. Sergei says:

— After meeting with a career consultant, we help to create a kind of roadmap from a dream to a goal: we explain step by step how to prepare, what exams to take, help to find the best tutors, give advice on writing an essay. We also help find a fund and apply for a scholarship. All this is a complex strategic task that we undertake. We advise students to be sincere and not to write an essay according to a template. Teachers can easily figure out when the work is written from the heart, and when - from dictation. To really stand out from the background of thousands of applicants, you need to understand yourself what distinguishes you from others, what is really important to you in life, and write about it.

A lot of details come up along the way. It is very important not to rely on luck and control each intermediate stage. The consultants will tell you how to protect yourself from unpleasant surprises and make sure that the teacher will provide a good recommendation. Some things need to be taken care of beforehand. One of the important selection parameters at leading universities is extracurricular activities. As a rule, by the end of the school, the best students already have a portfolio of completed projects of interest.

“Now, all over the world, students from India and China show excellent results in exams, but do not get into top universities, because they are too one-sided about the issue of admission,” says Tugarinov. “They do what they are told to do. Many prestigious universities are waiting for a more creative approach. Now, in addition to the highest scores, you need to demonstrate your activity. For example, organize a project to protect the environment, join an interest club, raise funds for charity. The Ivy League is a fairly liberal organization, they like projects aimed at helping minorities. But when it stops being something unique, that doesn't work either. It needs to be something personal, close to the heart of the student.

“In a sense, we help to find a way to yourself and your talents, to get to know and realize yourself from a new perspective,” Sergey explains the principle of his company. — Our consultants help to develop a step-by-step plan of how to implement the plan. We recently had a case where a 13-year-old student wanted to organize a philosophy competition for her peers. Even an event of such a modest scale needs its own budget and marketing. We were able to bring in Peter Singer, Princeton professor of philosophy, one of the most famous philosophers today. He supported our project by writing why philosophy is just as important for children as it is for adults. This girl is now 16, and with such a project, her chances of getting into a priority university are very high. This is how we work with all our clients and consistently get good results.