Apply

Applications are open from September through January for admission commencing in the fall term of the following academic year. We do not accept late applications, and our application process is fully electronic. There is no spring admission, and graduate study at Princeton is offered on a full-time basis.

You may apply only to one academic degree program for one degree per year. The Graduate School will not offer admission to an applicant seeking a second Ph.D. in the same or similar field of study. After the application is submitted, you will be able to view the application checklist and manage recommenders.

The Online Application

Understand the basics of Princeton University’s online application, and then manage it with our Application Checklist. The application and all materials submitted to the Graduate School become the property of Princeton University and will not be returned under any circumstances.

As part of the application process, Princeton University collects from its applicants certain demographic information covered by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. You are not required to provide this information. If you choose to provide this information, it will not be shared with or considered by University faculty members, administrators, or others who are involved in evaluating your application during the admission review process. In addition, declining to provide any of this information will not subject you to any adverse treatment.

The University uses application data to help prepare certain disclosures regarding students required by state and federal laws, and to enable the University to conduct analyses that support the University’s planning. This information will be combined with other University data and used for administrative and policy purposes only after the admissions process has concluded. Any information that you share is subject to the University’s Data Privacy policies.

Enter your name in the last name field and a period (.) in the first name field.

• Major not listed: Please choose the closest major in the drop down menu. You can provide more specific information about your major in your résumé/CV or your personal statement.
• Double majors: There is an option to choose two majors in the electronic application. If you have more than two majors, clearly indicate your multiple majors in the education section of your résumé.

Applicants who have applied before must complete a new application, upload all supporting documents, and submit the required application fee. There is no limit on how many times an applicant may apply.

If you have already submitted your application and paid the application fee, you can log into your application portal to view your application checklist. Please note: Duplicate materials and items that are not required as part of the application will not appear on the checklist. Checklists are only updated after the application is submitted and the fee is paid.

• Confirmation email: When you submit your application you will receive a confirmation email.
• Notification of completed application: No notification will be sent. Please monitor your application status.
• Application status: Please research the requirements of the department or program to which you are applying and confirm they have been received by tracking your submitted application checklist. You can verify the receipt of letters of recommendation and test scores. Any item that has been received will have a date next to it. Tests that have been received will show the test date.

Can’t find your application? This may happen if you have created two application accounts with two different email addresses and have logged into the wrong one. Please make sure you have used the correct email address and password for this account.

Experiencing technical difficulties? Email [email protected] .

File Upload Requirements

During the application process, you will be required to upload a statement of academic purpose, resume/curriculum vitae, transcripts, fall semester grades, and additional required files as specified by the individual degree program requirements. We suggest gathering these materials in advance and reviewing the file upload requirements below to make the application process as easy as possible.

• Files must not exceed 25 MB.
• Uploaded documents may contain no more than 75 pages.
• We support the following file formats: .doc, .docx, .odg, .odp, .odt, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .rtf, .wpd

We support media files as large as 5GB, but please be advised that larger files will take longer to upload from your Internet connection and may stall if you are on a wireless connection or one that cannot sustain a connection for the necessary period of time.

• We support the following file formats:
  • Video: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv
  • Audio: .aac, .m4a, .mka, .mp3, .oga, .ogg, .wav
  • Slide: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .jpeg, .png, .tif, .tiff
  Additional Requirements
  • Files cannot be password protected.
  • PDF files cannot have a digital signature.
  • Files should not be poster size.
  • Each file should be saved separately.
  Scanned Material

  When scanning hard copy materials to upload into an application:

  • The resolution should be no more than 300 dpi.
  • Black and white is recommended.
  • Removing images will help reduce the file size if necessary

  Application Tips

  Prior to beginning an application, review the helpful tips below:

  • Requirements: Application materials should only be uploaded online in the appropriate spaces provided and under the additional information section of the application. Princeton does not accept paper application materials, with the exception of architecture portfolios. Please refer to the file upload requirements for specific instructions. Also, please be sure to review any additional department or program requirements.
  • Test Scores: All test scores must be sent directly from the test center to Princeton University. Department codes are not used at Princeton and are not required by Educational Testing Services (ETS). Please refer to the Required Tests page for specific information on the tests. Please allow extra time for test scores to be received and reflected on the application checklist.
  • Recommendations: Do not delay submitting your application because you are waiting for recommenders to submit their recommendations. See the Recommendation Letters page for more information.
  • Revisions: Before submitting an application, double-check it. No revised documents will be accepted after the deadline.
  • International Students: There is only one application, which can be used by U.S. citizens, permanent residents or international applicants for any academic department or program.
  • Application fee: The application fee of $75 is nonrefundable. View information regarding application fee waivers.

  Admission Decisions

  March 15

  Admission decisions are emailed separately by department or program starting at the end of January through March 15. All decisions are sent to all applicants no later than March 15. Decisions will not be released by telephone or fax. If placed on the waitlist, it might be closer to April 15 before receiving a final admission decision. If the email used in the application changes, please let us know by emailing [email protected] .

  April 15

  The Graduate School must receive a submitted acceptance by April 15, 11:59 p.m. ET or the offer of admission may be rescinded. An offer of admission may also be rescinded based on the Policy on Rescinding an Offer of Admission.

  Unexpected and Emergent Events

  Unexpected and emergent events such as natural disasters, political unrest or armed conflict, and widespread internet or power outages may make it impossible for applicants from an entire region or country to meet an application deadline. Due to the highly decentralized, degree program-based nature of graduate admissions, the Graduate School cannot make blanket changes to application deadlines, nor can we guarantee that any accommodations are possible. Such blanket changes would prevent the University from meeting its own deadlines for making admission decisions and informing all applicants of outcomes. However, prospective applicants from affected regions or countries are encouraged to send an email to [email protected] . When possible, the Graduate School and departments or programs will work with prospective applicants on a case-by-case basis.

  The University GDPR Privacy Notice is available on the University Registrar’s site.