Princeton University
Frequently Asked Questions for QuestBridge students ('08 - '09)
The College Match Process
What do QuestBridge finalists need to submit in order to apply through the College Match process or through Regular Decision?
Even though your QuestBridge application will be forwarded to us, we still require you to fill out the Princeton Application (or the Common Application and Princeton Supplement). The following materials must be sent directly to our office in hard copy or, as appropriate, your forms may be submitted online. We require these materials for both College Match applicants and QuestBridge Regular Decision applicants.
- Princeton Application or Common Application with Princeton Supplement (you may use your QuestBridge essays as your Princeton/Common Application essays by copying and pasting the essays into the Princeton/Common Application)
- Secondary School Report from high school counselor
- Two Teacher Reference letters (from teachers in academic subjects)
- Official high school transcript
- Official scores for SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with Writing
- Official scores for three SAT Subject Tests
- Mid-Year Report from high school counselor
- Princeton Financial Aid Application (available online December 1st)
You can apply to Princeton online using one of the following links:
Common Application:
https://app.commonapp.org
Princeton Application:
https://cas.princeton.edu/sso/login
You can find the Princeton Financial Aid Application at:
https://cas.princeton.edu/sso/login
You can find individual printable application forms at:
http://www.princeton.edu/admission/applyingforadmission/forms/
What are your deadlines?
To be considered in the College Match process, QuestBridge finalists need to submit the Princeton Application or the Common Application with the Princeton supplement, along with supporting documents, directly to Princeton's admission office by November 3rd. Those who are matched will be asked to submit the Princeton Financial Aid Application by December 5th.
Those interested in applying Regular Decision should submit their portion of the application to Princeton by December 15th with the final deadline for supporting materials being January 1st. We recommend that you submit your Princeton Financial Aid Application by January 15th, with the final deadline being February 1st. Please do not send us your 2007 tax forms. You will need to send your family's 2008 tax forms when they are available.
How do I get a fee waiver?
All QuestBridge finalists automatically qualify for a fee waiver. When you submit your Princeton/Common Application, please check the ''request a fee waiver'' box on the form. You do not need to submit additional paperwork.
If you were not named a QuestBridge finalist and are applying to us through the general process, you may have your high school counselor request a fee waiver on your behalf by sending a letter to our office.
How will I know if you received all my materials?
For students whose applications are considered in the Regular Decision process, you will be able to check the status of your application online in February. The online application status check will not be available for College Match applicants in November.
When you apply to Princeton we ask you to list your email address and a personal identification number (PIN) on your application. In February you will be able to use this PIN to access your application status online.
Please keep a copy of your Princeton Application, so you have a record of the PIN you listed. We will not be able to give you status updates before February.
When are QuestBridge students notified if they were admitted to Princeton through the College Match process?
College Match applicants will learn if they matched with an institution on December 1st. You will receive an email from QuestBridge.
Students who match with Princeton will receive a follow-up email from us. Non-matched students will not receive notification from Princeton. We will not be able to release decisions by phone. Please communicate directly with QuestBridge to find out if you matched with a school.
All students who submitted the required materials and are not matched with Princeton will automatically be considered in our Regular Decision process. These students will be notified of our decisions along with all other Regular Decision applicants. Princeton will send decision letters around April 1st.
What standardized tests do I need to take?
We require all applicants to take the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT with Writing. In addition, students need to take three SAT Subject Tests. You are welcome to take them in subjects of your choosing. Students interested in our Bachelor of Science in Engineering (BSE) degree should take a Subject Test in math, a Subject Test in chemistry or physics, and a third test in a subject of their choice.
The January testing dates are the last dates students can take the exams and still have their scores arrive in time for Regular Decision consideration. The October testing dates are the latest dates for consideration in the College Match process. Scores should be sent from the testing agencies directly to our office. Our College Board number for the SAT is
2672, and our ACT college code is
2588.
If you attend a secondary school where English is not the primary language of instruction, and if English is not the primary language spoken in your home, you are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). To register to take the test in your country, go to
http://www.toefl.org.
Do you require interviews?
Interviews at Princeton are recommended but not required and are conducted by alumni volunteers. It is unlikely that College Match applicants will be interviewed in November. If you are not matched, and if there are enough volunteers in your area, you will be contacted for an interview in the Regular Decision process.
You do not need to contact us to arrange an interview. Once you submit your official application, one of our alumni volunteers will contact you in the winter months to arrange an interview. Our dedicated alumni work hard to interview most applicants in their regions between January and March. The interview is meant to be mutually beneficial, as it can be a way for you to learn more about Princeton and it's a way for us to learn more about you. We do not have alumni in every region of the country. Students who are unable to interview are at no disadvantage in the admission process. Those students who are not matched will automatically be considered in Regular Decision, and then be interviewed, if possible.
Princeton does not offer on-campus interviews, and visiting campus is not required for admission. If you have an opportunity to see the university, we encourage you to visit.
Can I send in additional materials, such as an arts supplement?
Yes. Those interested in submitting arts materials should use the following form and closely follow the instructions listed on it. It should be returned to our office by December 1st for Regular Decision candidates. We will not be able to review the arts supplements in time for our College Match decisions.
http://www.princeton.edu/admission/pdfs/PU-0809-arts-supplement.pdf.
In addition, we have an optional form titled ''What Else Would You Like Us To Know?'' that you are welcome to fill out or use to send along additional materials. These are not required parts of the application.
http://www.princeton.edu/admission/pdfs/PU-0809-optl-what-else.pdf.
Can I send in more than two letters of recommendation?
Yes. While two letters of recommendation are required, students may choose to send in an optional reference. These references can come from anyone who knows you well and can give us additional information about you. The two teacher recommendations must come from teachers in core academic subjects. It is not necessary to send optional references.
http://www.princeton.edu/admission/pdfs/PU-0809-opt-reference.pdf
If I am admitted to Princeton University, what can I expect for financial assistance? I know that other schools offer a four-year, full-ride scholarship.
Our financial aid is need based, and we meet 100 percent of students' demonstrated need. Princeton's need-based financial aid policy is second to none. Financial aid packages are made up of grants and a small work-study component. Students are not required to take out loans. Our Early Estimator will give you a better sense of what your financial aid package would look like at Princeton. Visit it at
http://www.princeton.edu/admission/financialaid/early_estimator/
Students matched with Princeton through the College Match process must submit the Princeton Financial Aid Application (available online December 1st). Students must apply for financial aid each year and family resources will be reviewed to determine financial need. Individual awards will vary from year to year because of changes to the parents' and student contributions.
Please note: we offer students admitted in the Match process and students admitted Regular Decision the same financial aid packages. All awards are need-based and do not require students to take out loans.
May I apply Early Decision to Princeton as well as try for the College Match?
No, Early Decision is no longer offered at Princeton. All College Match applicants are considered Regular Decision applicants to the University. All students not matched with us will remain in our Regular Decision pool and will receive official decision letters from us in early April.
Do I have a better chance of being admitted if I apply through the College Match process?
No. We apply the same rigorous selection criteria in the College Match process as we do in Regular Decision.
May international students apply to Princeton through QuestBridge's College Match program?
Yes.
If I am not selected as a QuestBridge finalist, may I still apply for the College Match?
No. The College Match is only for QuestBridge finalists. QuestBridge announces its finalists on October 24, 2008. Princeton does not participate in QuestBridge's selection of finalists. Please contact QuestBridge directly if you have questions with regard to their selection process.
How many students will be matched at Princeton?
We don't have a set number we plan to admit and much depends on the applicant pool itself. In the past we have admitted a small number of students through College Match with the majority of QuestBridge admits coming in Regular Decision. Students admitted in the Match process and students admitted Regular Decision receive the same financial aid packages. We are committed to need-based financial aid and fulfilling 100 percent of a student's demonstrated need.
For those who match with Princeton, is the decision binding?
No. While we hope that Princeton will be your school of choice, students who are Matched to Princeton are still allowed to apply to other schools Regular Decision.
Do you offer a fly-in program or a special visit program for QuestBridge students?
No, we do not offer a fall visitation program nor do we host overnight visits. If students are able, they are welcome to visit the campus for an information session and tour. Students are not penalized in the admission process if they are unable to visit campus.
For tour and information session schedules go to:
http://www.princeton.edu/admission/visitprinceton/tours_information_schedule
For a virtual tour, check out:
http://www.princeton.edu/~oktour/virtualtour/index.htm
How do I contact QuestBridge?
QuestBridge can be reached at 1-888-275-2054 or 1-650-331-3280, or via email at questions@questbridge.org. For technology-related problems, email techsupport@questbridge.org.
Again, questions about the status of your QuestBridge application and the College Match process should be directed to QuestBridge.
