45 Facts About Princeton University

1.

Princeton University is a private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey.

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2.

Princeton University uses a residential college system and is known for its upperclassmen eating clubs.

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3.

The school's athletic team, the Princeton University Tigers, has won the most titles in its conference and has sent many students and alumni to the Olympics.

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4.

Princeton University, founded as the College of New Jersey, was shaped much in its formative years by the "Log College", a seminary founded by the Reverend William Tennent at Neshaminy, Pennsylvania, in about 1726.

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5.

Princeton University was chosen for its central location in New Jersey and by strong recommendation by Belcher.

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6.

The college's home in Princeton University was Nassau Hall, named for the royal William III of England, a member of the House of Orange-Nassau.

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7.

In 1879, Princeton conferred its first doctorates on James F Williamson and William Libby, both members of the Class of 1877.

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8.

Princeton University brought about great expansion to the university, with the creation of the School of Architecture in 1919, the School of Engineering in 1921, and the School of Public and International Affairs in 1930.

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9.

The period saw the desegregation of Princeton University, which was stimulated by changes to the New Jersey constitution.

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10.

Princeton University began undertaking a sharper focus towards research in the years after the war, with the construction of Firestone Library in 1948 and the establishment of the Forrestal Research Center in the 1950s.

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11.

In 2001, Princeton University shifted the financial aid policy to a system that replaced all loans with grants.

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12.

That same year, Princeton elected its first female president, Shirley M Tilghman.

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13.

In 1961, Princeton University admitted its first female graduate student, Sabra Follett Meservey, who would go on to be the first woman to earn a master's degree at Princeton University.

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14.

Princeton University's grounds were designed by Beatrix Farrand between 1912 and 1943.

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15.

Princeton University Chapel is located on the north side of campus near Nassau Street.

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16.

Since the 2008 plan, Princeton University has aimed at reducing its carbon dioxide emissions to 1990 levels without the purchase of market offsets and predicts to meet the goal by 2026.

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17.

Princeton University released its second Sustainability Action Plan in 2019 on Earth Day with its main goal being reducing campus greenhouse gases to net zero by 2046 as well as other objectives building on those in the 2008 plan.

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18.

Princeton University is composed of the Undergraduate College, the Graduate School, the School of Architecture, the School of Engineering and Applied Science, and the School of Public and International Affairs.

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19.

Princeton University did host a Princeton University Law School for a short period, before eventually closing in 1852 due to poor income.

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20.

Princeton University is a member of the Association of American Universities, the Universities Research Association, and the National Association of Independent Colleges and Universities.

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21.

Princeton University ranked fourth for undergrad teaching for 2021, falling from first place in the 2020 rankings.

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22.

Princeton University is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very high research activity.

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23.

Princeton University is a member of the New Jersey Space Grant Consortium.

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24.

Princeton University offers several methods to apply: the Common Application, the Coalition Application, and the QuestBridge Application.

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25.

Princeton University's application requires several writing supplements and submitting a graded written paper.

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26.

From 1977 to 1995, Princeton University employed an early action program, and in 1996, transitioned to an early decision program.

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27.

In February 2011, following decisions by the University of Virginia and Harvard University to reinstate their early admissions programs, Princeton announced it would institute a single-choice early action option for applicants, which it still uses.

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28.

Princeton University reinstated its transfer students program in 2018 after a three decades moratorium; the program encourages applicants from low-income families, the military, and community colleges.

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29.

In 2001, expanding on earlier reforms, Princeton became the first university to eliminate the use of student loans in financial aid, replacing them with grants.

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30.

In September 2022, Princeton University announced that it would cover all costs for families earning $100, 000 a year or less, with reduced costs for higher income families as well.

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31.

Princeton University has one graduate residential college, known as the Graduate College, located on a hill about half a mile from the main campus.

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32.

Princeton University is home to a variety of performing arts and music groups.

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33.

Current traditions Princeton University students celebrate include the ceremonial bonfire, which takes place on the Cannon Green behind Nassau Hall.

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34.

Princeton University students abide by the tradition of never exiting the campus through FitzRandolph Gates until one graduates.

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35.

Princeton University has several traditions that have faded into the past.

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36.

Princeton University has made significant progress in expanding the diversity of its student body in recent years.

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37.

The New York Observer wrote that Princeton was "long dogged by a reputation for anti-Semitism" and that this history as well as Princeton's elite status caused the university and its community to feel sensitivity towards the decrease of Jewish students.

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38.

Princeton University wouldn't admit its first Black students until in 1945 when Princeton University instituted the V-12 program on campus.

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39.

Princeton University supports organized athletics at three levels: varsity intercollegiate, club intercollegiate, and intramural.

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40.

The Princeton University administration considered naming the mascot in 2007, but the effort was dropped in the face of alumni opposition.

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41.

Princeton University is an NCAA Division I school, with its athletic conference being the Ivy League.

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42.

Princeton University's sailing team, though a club sport, competes at the varsity level in the MAISA conference of the Inter-Collegiate Sailing Association.

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43.

Carril's final victory at Princeton University came when the Tigers beat UCLA, the defending national champion, in the opening round of the 1996 NCAA tournament.

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44.

From 1896 to 2018, 113 athletes from Princeton University have competed in the Olympics, winning 19 gold medals, 24 silver medals, and 23 bronze medals.

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45.

Princeton University graduates played a major role in the American Revolution, including the first and last Colonels to die on the Patriot side Philip Johnston and Nathaniel Scudder, as well as the highest ranking civilian leader on the British side David Mathews.

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