May I complete a double major?
Princeton has a "One Degree Rule." While it is occasionally
possible for a student to complete the requirements for concentration
in more than one department, the degree and any departmental
honors are granted in ONE department ONLY. Recognition of
work done in departments other than the designated one, including
any independent work, will be recorded on the student's transcript.
Students can combine departmental majors with one or more
interdepartmental programs (i.e., African American Studies,
Medieval Studies, Latin American Studies, Women's Studies,
etc.). Students who complete all program requirements are
awarded program certificates.
I'm not sure what I want to major in. When do I need to
decide?
Students normally choose a major officially at the end of
their sophomore year. At the beginning of their first term
at Princeton, most students have no firm plans about a major
and are open to exploring a variety of fields. Your academic
adviser, dean, and director of studies can help you plan a
program to explore a variety of potential majors.
How many credits must I have to graduate?
All AB students must successfully complete a minimum of 31
courses; the minimum for BSE students is 36 courses. This
number is reduced in the rare circumstances where an eligible
student elects to graduate in 6 or 7 semesters. (See below.)
How many courses may I take in my freshman year?
The standard course load during the fall term of freshman
year is four courses. Only in very unusual cases will a five-course
first semester be approved. Permission to take 5 courses in
the fall semester cannot and will not be given until a student
matriculates at the university.
What courses should I take in my first semester?
AB students should begin to fulfill the language requirement,
take a course to explore a potential major, and if considering
pre-med, math (calculus) or general chemistry. BSE students
normally begin with physics, chemistry, math, and an elective.
If you have been told that you should fulfill the writing
requirement in the first semester, you should plan on taking
this course as well. Your academic adviser will help you choose
appropriate courses for your program.
Will there be space for me in the classes I want?
Inevitably, some courses will close and you may not be able
to enroll in all of your first choices, but there are plenty
of options available to students in every semester, and students
should not fear that they might be closed out of courses that
they MUST be taking in order to fulfill requirements for various
departments.
May I change my degree candidacy?
Students who are interested in changing their degree candidacy
during Freshman Orientation should meet with Dean Peter Bogucki.
During the academic year, meet with your residential college
Dean or Director of Studies and arrange to meet with Dean
Bogucki. This transfer should take place before the beginning
of the sophomore year, as course requirements for BSE and
AB students differ.
Does Princeton have a Deans List?
Princeton does not calculate GPAs and does not compile a
Deans List. At graduation, however, each department decides
on its basis for awarding honors (i.e., honors, high honors,
and highest honors), and eligible students can also be inducted
into various national honor societies, such as Phi Beta Kappa.
Am I able to receive credit for college-level courses
I have taken prior to my matriculation at Princeton?
No, Princeton does not grant credit for any courses taken
prior to matriculation. However, these courses and any AP-level
high school courses may enable you to place into higher-level
classes. When you fill out the program sheet, you are asked
to fill in all advanced courses taken and placement consideration
will be given upon registration.
May I use my AP scores to reduce my course load in any
given semester at Princeton or to fulfill distribution requirements?
Students cannot use advanced placement in any subject to
reduce the number of courses taken in any term, nor can it
be used to fulfill the writing requirement or other distribution
requirements, with the exception of the language requirement
(see below).
What scores are needed to place out of the language requirement?
An AP score of 4 or a 740 on the SAT II in French, German,
or Spanish will place you out of the language requirement.
Latin requires an AP 4 or score of 720 on the SAT II. An SAT
II score of 740 in Italian or SAT II of 650 in Modern Hebrew
will allow you to place out of these languages. For a complete
list of the AP and SAT II scores needed for advanced standing
at Princeton, please click
here.
If you place out of the language and want to pursue further
studies in a language, you may do so.
If you do not place out of the language, you must complete
3 full semesters of any of the Romance Languages (i.e., French,
Italian, or Spanish) or 4 full semesters of any other language
(such as, Hebrew, German, Japanese, etc.).
May I place out of organic chemistry?
Even if you have an AP 5 in chemistry, you cannot place out
of organic chemistry.
How many units of AP am I able to receive for any given
subject?
The maximum numbers of units of advanced placement that can
be granted for a foreign language, biology, physics, chemistry,
economics, history and mathematics is two. A maximum of one
unit will be granted in art, computer science, and English.
May I receive AP credit if I scored an 800 on the Math
SAT and have taken Calculus in high school?
The Math department will place you in the course they feel
you are most qualified for based on your math background.
The department can award AP credit based on that placement.
Do I receive AP credit for International Baccalaureate
(IB) scores and/or completed British A-levels?
A score of 7 on the IB (higher level) or a grade of A on
the completed British A-levels is considered the equivalent
of a score of 5 on the Advanced Placement test in most subjects;
an IB score of 6 or an A-level score of B is generally considered
equivalent to a score of 4 on the Advanced Placement test.
What score do I need on the IB Math test to receive AP
credit?
The International Baccalaureate in higher level Math will
earn you two units of AP credit provided you have a score
of 7; one unit of AP credit for a score of 6.
May I graduate in less than the normal four years or fewer
than eight semesters?
Some students matriculate at the university with enough advanced
placement credits to graduate in three years. (See the Advanced
Placement Brochure, item IV). VERY FEW students elect this
option, however, since there is no reduction in the number
of required distribution requirements or the amount of junior
and senior independent work. (There is a reduction in total
number of courses required to graduate, however--23 for AB
students and 28 for BSE students.)
With sufficient advanced placement credits, a slightly larger
number of students opt to graduate in 7 semesters--or three
and one-half years. Such students, however, may only choose
to skip either the fall or spring semester of their sophomore
year. |
