【Princeton University】 Your Guide to Success at Top U.S. Universities: Turning Your Child’s Dream into Reality!

We are reviewing each university’s Freshmen Profile and Supplementary Essay requirements while analyzing the actual profiles of admitted students to understand what kind of students each university is looking for.

Starting today, we will explore universities ranked in the Top 50 in the U.S., according to U.S. News & World Report, with a particular focus on those that Korean students and parents are most interested in.

For our first session, we will take a closer look at Princeton University, which consistently holds the No. 1 spot nationwide. Through this, we will examine how students should prepare throughout their four years of high school to maximize their chances of admission to Princeton.

2023-2024 Freshmen Profile

1. Admissions Data: Number of Applicants, Admitted Students, Enrolled Students, and Acceptance Rates

a. In-State Students

• Total Applicants: 4,563
• Admitted Students: 244
• Enrolled Students: 208
• Acceptance Rate: 5.35%
• Enrollment Rate: 85.25%

b. Out-of-State Students

• Total Applicants: 25,642
• Admitted Students: 1,309
• Enrolled Students: 975
• Acceptance Rate: 5.1%
• Enrollment Rate: 74.47%

c. International Students

• Total Applicants: 9,439
• Admitted Students: 229
• Enrolled Students: 183
• Acceptance Rate: 2.43%
• Enrollment Rate: 79.91%

d. Total (All Students)

• Total Applicants: 39,644
• Admitted Students: 1,782
• Enrolled Students: 1,366
• Acceptance Rate: 4.49%
• Enrollment Rate: 76.64%

2. Key Information

a. Asian Student Population / Total Undergraduate Enrollment

• Asian Students: 1,323
• Total Undergraduate Students (Degree-seeking): 5,579
• Percentage of Asian Students: 23.7%

b. Freshman Retention Rate

• Retention Rate: 97.00%

c. Waitlist Statistics
i. Number of qualified applicants placed on the waitlist: 1,302
ii. Number of students who accepted the waitlist offer: 1,032
iii. Number of students admitted from the waitlist: 52
iv. Waitlist admission rate: 5.04%

d. Admission Requirements: Required/Recommended High School Courses

• Required Courses:
  • English: 4 years
  • Mathematics: 4 years
  • Science: 4 years (including at least 2 lab sciences)
  • Foreign Language: 4 years
  • Social Studies: 2 years
  • History: 2 years
  • Visual/Performing Arts: 1 year

e. Selection Criteria: Important Factors

Academic Factors:

• Very Important: Rigorous high school coursework (AP & College Courses), Class Rank, GPA, Standardized Test Scores, Application Essays, Letters of Recommendation

Non-Academic Factors:

• Very Important: Extracurricular Activities, Talent/Abilities, Character/Personal Qualities, Interview

f. SAT & ACT Policy

• SAT/ACT Submission: Optional (Submitting strong scores is recommended)
• 75th Percentile SAT Score: 1560

g. Class Rank Distribution

• Percentage of students in the top 10% of their graduating high school class: 99.3%

h. High School GPA Distribution (Unweighted, 4.0 Scale)

• Percentage of students with a 4.0 GPA: 73.3%
• Percentage of students with a 3.75-3.99 GPA: 23.8%

i. Average High School GPA

• Average GPA: 3.94

Supplementary Essays

Now, let’s take a look at the Supplementary Essays for Princeton University, which are extremely important in the admissions process.

Apart from the Main Essay, Princeton requires a total of six additional essays, making it one of the universities with a relatively high number of supplementary essay requirements compared to other schools.추가 에세이가 총 6개로 타대학들에 비해 추가 에세이가 많은 편에 속하겠습니다.

Topic 1: As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests? (Max.: 250 words)

Topic 2: Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you? (Max.: 500 words)

Topic 3: Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals? (Max.: 250 words)

Topic 4: What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?(Max.: 50 words)


Topic 5: What brings you joy? (Max.: 50 words)

Topic 6: What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (Max.: 50 words)

The Type of Student Princeton University Seeks

Through its six supplementary essay topics, Princeton University seeks students who possess the following qualities and preparations. Based on these expectations, we offer specific guidance below on how Korean students and parents can best prepare.

1. Intellectual Curiosity and Academic Passion (Topic 1)

Princeton values applicants who have a deep interest in a particular academic field and a strong desire to explore it further. Beyond just achieving high grades, it is crucial to demonstrate genuine passion and engagement through meaningful academic experiences.

Preparation Strategies

Students should develop sustained interest in a particular academic field (e.g., science, arts, social sciences). Engaging in AP courses, research projects, or academic competitions can showcase their passion and commitment. Planning activities that align with Princeton’s academic programs (such as research opportunities and unique courses) and incorporating these interests into their essays is essential.

2. Community Engagement and Open-mindedness (Topic 2)

Princeton values students who can interact with diverse perspectives, respect different backgrounds, and contribute positively to the university community. They expect students to engage in meaningful conversations and foster a sense of community.

Preparation Strategies

Leadership experience and collaboration in school or community activities are crucial. Students should participate in multicultural experiences, volunteer work, or team projects to develop communication skills. They should reflect on the values and lessons learned from family and community interactions and express them effectively in writing.

3. Social Responsibility and Commitment to Service (Topic 3)

Princeton looks for students who are committed to civic engagement and social responsibility. They want to hear authentic stories about how applicants have contributed to their communities and how they plan to continue making an impact.

Preparation Strategies

Engage in consistent community service at school or in the local community. Plan and execute long-term service projects (e.g., environmental campaigns, fundraising efforts). Reflect on how service experiences have contributed to personal growth and connect them to Princeton’s core values.

4. Personal Growth and Skill Development (Topic 4)

Princeton expects students to show a commitment to self-improvement and learning new skills. This factor plays a significant role in evaluating an applicant’s growth mindset.

Preparation Strategies

Explore new skills and hobbies (e.g., coding, musical instruments, foreign languages). Reflect on personal growth experiences and write about the lessons learned through skill acquisition.

5. Self-Reflection and Life’s Joys (Topic 5)

Princeton values students who find joy and passion in their lives and can bring positive energy to the university environment.

Preparation Strategies

Take time to reflect on activities that bring happiness (e.g., music, reading, sports). Go beyond simple hobbies and articulate why these activities bring joy and meaning.

6. Personal Story and Identity (Topic 6)

Princeton encourages students to express their authentic identity through unique personal stories that define their character and experiences.

Preparation Strategies

Identify personal connections to music, books, or art that reflect their experiences. Find ways to connect personal experiences to a broader narrative and express them effectively in writing.

Comprehensive Strategy for Korean Students and Parents

Deep academic engagement: Encourage students to discover and develop their academic interests early through research and advanced coursework.

Community involvement: Create opportunities for students to demonstrate leadership and civic engagement.

Personal story preparation: Help students articulate their life experiences and values through structured essay practice.

Holistic growth: Support students in developing hobbies, passions, and diverse experiences beyond academics.

University-specific preparation: Select activities aligned with Princeton’s mission and values and highlight them in application essays.

These strategies align with Princeton’s admission philosophy and expectations, significantly increasing Korean students’ chances of success in the college admissions process.

Profiles of Admitted Students

Student 1: Alex Kim (Alias)

Academic Performance
GPA:
Unweighted: 4.0/4.0
Weighted: 4.8/5.0

SAT:
Math: 790
English: 750

Major Extracurricular Activities

• Gold medalist in the International Science Olympiad (Physics category)
• Founder and operator of a charitable robotics program providing robotics education to underprivileged students
• Led a medical equipment development project in collaboration with a local hospital

Notable Achievements

• Invited as a TEDx speaker, delivering a talk on “The Future of Youth and Science”
• Published STEM-related research papers in both Korean and English

Student 2: Emma Johnson (Alias)

Academic Performance
GPA:
Unweighted: 3.98/4.0
Weighted: 4.6/5.0

SAT:
Math: 780
English: 770

Major Extracurricular Activities

• Founded and served as editor-in-chief of a literary magazine, winning a regional literary award
• Organized reading and writing workshops at a local community library
• Won first place in a national poetry recitation competition

Notable Achievements

• High school literary publication featured on The New York Times recommended reading list
• Published an academic essay on “The Connection Between Literature and Community”

Student 3: Noah Lee (Alias)

Academic Performance
GPA:
Unweighted: 4.0/4.0
Weighted: 4.7/5.0

SAT:
Math: 800
English: 760

Major Extracurricular Activities

• Captain of the school debate team, finishing as runner-up in an international debate competition
• Participated in drafting youth education policies as a member of the State Youth Advisory Council
• Founded a nonprofit organization providing free SAT and ACT tutoring for underprivileged students

Notable Achievements

• Research project conducted under a Princeton professor’s mentorship was published in a high school academic journal
• Played a leadership role in the Asian American community, receiving invitations to local political events

Common Traits Among Princeton Admits

• Outstanding Academic Performance: Near-perfect GPAs and high SAT scores
• Innovative Extracurricular Engagement: Not just participation, but leadership roles and creative contributions
• Unique Personal Narratives: Activities that tell a compelling story, demonstrating impact on their communities or academic excellence

This is Andy Lee, director of Elite Prep Suwanee, where we provide free assistance with FAFSA applications as well as guidance on securing prestigious awards such as the Presidential Volunteer Service Award.

Thank you.

Andy Lee / Elite Prep Suwanee
1291 Old Peachtree Rd. NW #127
Suwanee, GA 30024
Tel. & Text: 470.253.1004
email: suwanee@eliteprep.com

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