when do princeton supplemental essays come out

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? (Please respond in about 250 words)

This prompt is pretty straightforward. Think about what subjects you have been most drawn to throughout your schooling. Next, trace back where you formed that interest or how you have engaged it. Did your nightly routine of reading bedtime stories ignite your love for creative writing? Are you pursuing Asian studies after your experiences traveling?

Once you have nailed down what intellectually excites you and a short anecdote of its origins, connect it to Princeton. Be as specific as possible in citing how Princeton’s academics will support your goals. For instance, look into course catalogs and find a class that sounds right up your alley. Make sure your Princeton example aligns with the intellectual passion you’ve woven throughout your response.

Questions to consider:

Prompt #1 (for B.S.E degree applicants)

Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. (Please respond in about 250 words)

This prompt is like the first, but with a specific concentration on engineering. Do not be afraid to unleash your curiosity for the subject or brag on relevant work you’ve done. You could go for a more abstract response and describe what it is about designing and building that excites you. You might reference your knack for fixing household objects growing up. Or, you may describe engineering projects you have completed that inspired this career goal. For example, your participation in a robotics club in high school could have been instrumental in forming your enthusiasm.

To help you outline how Princeton can further your interests, dig into its website. Is there a spotlight on students’ research that models what you’d like to explore? Is there a part of the school’s strategic plan that excites you? This track is especially competitive and focused. Aim to show admissions your zeal for engineering and back it up with examples.

Prompt #2 (extracurricular activity and work experience)

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (150 words)

This prompt is very open-ended. It is common to feel overwhelmed by broadness due to the many directions you could take your answer. However, try to focus on the words “particularly meaningful.” If more than one engagement comes to mind, make a list. Write out all the activities you’ve been involved with and why you value each one.

Has one of your hobbies allowed you to find community? Has volunteering for a non-profit given you a cause to fight for? Did you hold a job that solidified why you want to pursue your intended career path? Admissions wants to learn about the experiences that have shaped your character. Your sincerity should shine here!

Prompt #3 (your voice)

At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future? (250 words)

Unlike Prompt #2, this question is very specific. It instructs you to share a particular situation, what you learned from it, and how you are applying those insights going forward. Keep in mind that “diverse perspectives” can reference those with differing political views, socioeconomic statuses, sexual orientations, ethnic backgrounds, and more.

Think about a time when you’ve had to navigate tricky subjects with someone that identifies differently than you do. Did you hear about a friend’s struggles with bullying and vow to never be a bystander? Did you have to talk to your religious parents about your questions about faith? Princeton wants to know how you can work through conflict and come out with a more accepting, informed worldview.

Prompt #4

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.(250 words)

This question wants to know how you have made a mark in your community. Have you volunteered consistently for a particular charity? Did you write a research paper on a social problem that has made you want to get involved? Do you plan to run for student government? Use this space to discuss a cause you are passionate about, whether advocating for animal rights or fostering financial literacy. If you have not had much experience giving back in this space, be sure to reference how you will do so once at Princeton. Be careful not to discuss the same examples in this prompt as prompt #2.

Prompts #5,6,7: More about you

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself! 1. What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? 2. What brings you joy? 3. What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

Trust the admissions team’s encouragement to be yourself! Do not overthink these answers and be authentic in what first comes to mind to best portray your personality.

Have you wanted to play a new instrument or learn a new language? Do you have a “happy place” that brings you joy? Or a hobby like crochet? Has your mood been optimistic like “Walking on Sunshine,” or is there a new hit you can’t stop playing? Let these flow easily from you and have fun!

With the response limit, there is a bit of room to offer more context or explanation. Don’t feel pressured to use all 50 words, though—a simple answer is expected!

Graded written paper

In addition to the supplemental essays, Princeton requires applicants to submit a graded written paper for consideration as a part of their application. Essentially, you will need to submit a paper that you have completed for an academic course, preferably an English or history course, during the last 3 years of high school.

When selecting a graded paper, keep the following in mind:

How to submit the graded written paper

For any questions regarding the graded written paper, visit Princeton’s website or reach out to a Princeton admissions officer.

Final thoughts on writing the Princeton supplemental essays

Now you have broken apart each prompt and jotted down examples to reference in your answers. Before writing, be sure you are taking advantage of the variety of questions to showcase different aspects of yourself. Try not to be repetitive with anecdotes you share across prompts.

You are likely to have too much to say once you start writing with these 250 word limits. We suggest you get all your thoughts down and trim responses later. With proper planning, you can surely find success with the Princeton supplemental essays. We wish you the best of luck !

Also see: All you need to know about Princeton eating clubs

Next steps for students

As you are writing your Princeton supplemental essays, be sure to check out our guides on how many schools to apply to . Make sure you prepare well and also read about how to find safety, reach, and match schools .

With so many colleges and universities going test-optional, you might be wondering, whether or not to send your SAT/ACT scores. Learn about what is best for you to maximize your chances for acceptance. Speaking of acceptances, once you start hearing back, we can help you create a college comparison spreadsheet to make your college choice. Finally, apply and earn all the scholarships you qualify for with our free scholarship search tool . Good luck!

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How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essays: Guide + Examples 2022/2023

What are the princeton supplemental essay prompts.

The Princeton supplemental essays cover a wide range of topics, from extracurricular activities to community and civic engagement to complex dialogue to joy. While the breadth and depth of the Princeton essay questions may seem overwhelming, consider that they may be doing you a favor by giving you a chance to share more (okay, a lot more) about who you are beyond your grades and test scores.

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #1

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (Please respond in 150 words or fewer)

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals. (50-250 words)

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #4

What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words)

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #5

What brings you joy? (50 words)

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #6

What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #7

For Applicants Pursuing an A.B. Degree (or are Undecided): 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? Please respond in 250 words or fewer.

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #8

For Applicants Pursuing a B.S.E. Degree: Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in, or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests. Please respond in 250 words or fewer.

How to Write Each Supplemental Essay Prompt for Princeton

How to write princeton supplemental essay prompt #1.

Quick Tips for this Essay:

#1: Try to tie the extracurricular activity or work experience of choice back to a specific value (or several values) in your life. Rather than just state what you did point-blank, make it resonate for the reader by connecting it to some aspect of what makes you, well, you.

#2: Value content (information) over form (poetry). Space is limited here, so make sure the reader understands what you’ve done and what you’ve learned.

#3: Use active verbs so that readers get a clear sense of what you’ve done. This just makes things more engaging and dynamic overall.

#4: Consider starting your essay with a small challenge or problem you were trying to solve. In fact, probably name the problem in the first couple sentences. Then, tell us what you did about it. Then what you learned. Hey, that’s a simple structure you can use right now.

#5: Write it long first, then cut it. In our experience, this tends to be easier than writing a very short version and then trying to figure out what to add.

#6: Don’t forget to include specific impacts, even if they’re brief. If possible, connect your time and energy with a meaningful outcome. Example: “I did X, and that resulted in Y.” The Y is just as important as the X because it shows your work paid off and (maybe even) inspired some kind of change, either internally (in you) or externally (in the world).

Here’s a great example for this essay:

I look up at the wall. This feels impossible. “Just go for it!” my friend Jack says to me. “It seems harder than it is.” During my first year climbing, I spent much time contemplating all possible routes and strategies. But gradually I’ve realized: because my perspective is limited as I stand on the ground, there’s only so much I can tell from looking ahead. Sometimes it is better to just go for it . Over the last couple of years this lesson has served me well: Had I known the difficult rhyme patterns I’d have to follow, I may not have written my play. Had I known the amount of reading ahead of me, I may not have started my research on Neo-Confucianism. “Come on, [Student]!” Jack again. I look up at the wall. Still feels impossible. But I put a hand on it. Then a foot. Then pull up.

Tips + Analysis:

Start off with something kind of unexpected. In a 150-word essay, we don’t necessarily expect someone to admit that something could go wrong. However, this author is honest about feeling doubt as she looks up at the wall she’s trying to climb. This draws readers in as they question how she’ll overcome this obstacle and find a way to get to the top. It creates suspense and also shows us that the author is willing to be vulnerable.

Make connections. Although this essay is primarily about one activity (climbing), the author cleverly weaves in connections to other activities. She notes that the lessons she learned from climbing have given her the guts to write her own play and the motivation to start research on Neo-Confucianism. Those activities aren’t the focal point of the essay, but they help us learn more about the applicant. Although you actually do have to choose only one activity to answer this prompt, this is a great example of how you can use connections to highlight more parts of yourself.

Show growth. At the start of this essay, the author is at an impasse. Climb the wall or don’t climb the wall? Impossible or manageable? By the end, the author has demonstrated to us that she’s the kind of person who’s willing to take on the seemingly impossible. What we like is that she doesn’t focus on whether or not she actually got to the top of the wall. She’s more interested in the mindset it takes to get started. The growth she demonstrates is subtle, but the fact that she can reflect on it well makes her essay stand out.

Choose an uncommon topic (if you can). Sure, this student could’ve written about being president of the debate club. Or how she’d played piano for eight years. But many students write about those things. You know what many students don’t write about? Climbing.

Pro Tip: While you may worry that a less “impressive” (in terms of accomplishments) extracurricular activity won’t show off your strengths as well, consider using your Activities List and Additional Information section to emphasize what you’ve done, and use this 150-word essay to show a more uncommon side of yourself.

How to write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #2

Here’s a past student’s essay that could have worked well for this prompt:

When I joined the Huntsville Youth Commission, a group of students chosen to represent youth interests within local government, I met Jack. Jack told me his cousin’s body had been stuffed into the trunk of a car after he was killed by a gang. After that, my notion of normal would never be the same. A melting pot of ideologies, skins, socio-economic classes, faiths, and educations, the DYC is a unique collaborative enterprise. Although I was initially intimidated after hearing stories like Jack’s, I soon realized that the members of the HYC never let difference become an obstacle to understanding. Even now, our experiences are like an elaborate network of roads: weaving, bumping, and diverging in unexpected ways. The Commission allowed us to bring our individual experiences into a shared space of empathy. Jack talked about his cousin’s broken body. HYC supervisor Evelyn Scott explained that girls get ten-day school suspensions for simply stepping on another student’s sneakers. Witnessa educated us about “food deserts,” where people can’t count on their next meal. And I talked about being born in Tokyo, moving to London, and living in the south, finding a way to call each place home. How my family’s blending of Jewish tradition and Chinese culture—bagels and lox on weekends and dumplings every Lunar New Year—bridges distinct worlds. My experience in this dynamic space of affirmation and engagement has made me a more thoughtful person and listener. Listening empathetically helped us envision multifaceted solutions to issues facing 21st-century youth. I want to continue this effort and be the woman, student, and friend who both expands perspectives and takes action after hearing people’s stories. Reconciling disparate lifestyles and backgrounds in the Commission has prepared me to become a compassionate leader, eager to both expand perspectives and take collaborative action. (299 words)

Use the prompt to structure your essay. The great thing about this prompt is that it gives you a distinct narrative structure to follow as you write. At a basic level, you might structure your outline like this: a) difficult conversation, b) insight, and c) what now, or what next? If you look at this essay, it pretty much uses this format. The first paragraph discusses the writer’s conversation with Jack, then she transitions into talking about the key insight she learned, which is that difference doesn’t have to be a roadblock to community connection/understanding. Her last paragraph is forward-looking and demonstrates how she plans to incorporate what she’s learned into future interactions.

Bring it back to you. Although the prompt asks you to talk about a conversation you had with someone else, remember that the person reading your application ultimately wants to know more about you. In this essay, the writer mentions important things she learned from Witnessa, Jack, and Mrs. Evelyn. But she doesn’t let that supplant her own contributions to the group. She even works in details about her Jewish traditions and year abroad in London into the conversation. These show she has something to bring to the table without trying to overshadow the stories of the other people she talks about. Think about how you can weave yourself into the story as you write. Why? This will make you an active participant (rather than a passive observer) in your story.

Consider using a hook. This first sentence draws us in. Important: Be careful not to use violence or harm in an overly gratuitous way. But this author toes the line well. You can also bring people in with a funny anecdote or insight, maybe even a pithy one-liner.

How to Write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #3

Two questions to ask yourself as you brainstorm topics for this prompt:

What sort of service and civic engagement projects have you been involved with? Your Activities List is a good place to start.

Are there any essays you’re already writing for another school that you could double with this prompt? If so, it may be a candidate for a Super Essay .

Do you have meaningful examples and anecdotes that bring the values of service and civic engagement to life—like the club you started to teach chess to fifth-graders, or the recycling project you led in your neighborhood, or the comedy skits you put on for the local senior center? Your topic of choice should be something you genuinely care about. You’ll find it much easier to write with enthusiasm if you talk about something you actually find important and interesting.

Once you’ve picked a topic, you’ll notice you’re (probably) writing an extracurricular activity essay. Here’s a complete guide on how to write that. You’ll want to make sure your values are super clear by the end of the essay.

Finally, you may choose to weave in how you’ll continue this work (or continue to explore these values) at Princeton. If so, consider connecting your goals with unique resources at the university. Read this “Why us?” essay guide for tips and examples. This might make up just the end of your essay.

Below is an example of a super essay approach—the student used this essay for many different school prompts, including for Princeton (where he ended up attending).

The rusty spigot spewed a stream of Malibu High’s signature yellow water into my bottle. I raised it to see the visible particles floating around. “I’ll just wait another 5 innings for a drink,” I thought. Malibu High’s water was universally shunned. The only alternative was bottled water, which wasn’t an option for those who couldn’t afford it, and which led to tens-of-thousands of plastic bottles in landfills annually. Our environmental club set out with one goal: to provide everyone on campus with clean, filtered water. With a hint of ignorance, we marched into the school board meeting and made our case for filtration stations. Unfortunately, the board was not as enthusiastic as us. Despite passionate speeches from myself and my environmentalist colleagues, they didn’t see the importance of our mission. So we went rogue. Nearly every student and staff member joined our movement with a pen stroke, and our community united under a common vision for Malibu High’s future. Everyone wanted the water (it’s useful for survival), but the district still refused funding. In response, I set up a GoFundMe, and we rallied community support. The GoFundMe raised over $2,500. The district was out of excuses. We got our water! In only one semester with the stations, we have saved 30,000 plastic bottles. The stations have become the center of the Malibu campus and community: during passing period, students and staff get the rare opportunity to affiliate outside the classroom, all while enjoying a refreshing, non-yellow beverage. — — —

How to Write Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompts #4-6: The Short Answers

Prompt #4: What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? (50 words) Prompt #5: What brings you joy? (50 words) Prompt #6: What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment? (50 words)

Here are some general tips to get you started on the short-answer portion of the Princeton application:

#1: Think of your short answers as an advent calendar. Consider that each of your short answers, no matter how short, is a tiny window into your soul. Make sure the reader finds something inside that's awesome and different from the window before.

#2: Use all or most of the space allotted to explain your answer. You’re given space for 50 words for an answer that could easily be one or two words. So use it up! In other words, you can answer "why," even if the prompt doesn't ask you to. Do this because your core values may be hard to express in 1-2 words.

#3: Get specific. Don’t just give a generic answer followed by a generic reason for your generic answer. Be creative and use details that give you a distinctive/memorable voice.

#4: Feel free to take (calculated) risks on these. Get creative. Push boundaries (a little). To clarify, we don’t mean shock for the sake of shock value; make sure you’re still revealing core values (one of which might be humor, for instance). Speaking of which ...

#5: Don't check your humor at the door. If you're funny in life, feel free to be funny in your short answers. If you're not funny, no need to start now. ;)

#6: Offer a variety of things you're interested in. If you love science and wrote a supplemental essay about science, don't answer prompt #2 with 20 journals, websites, or publications you’ve read on ... science. Show how you find joy in astrophysics but also literature, philosophy, Star Trek, programming, and Godfather 1 and 2 (but not 3.)

#7: Note that there isn’t, like, some magical key/code with these where, if you answer the right thing for your favorite website, then the door to Princeton will be magically opened to you (although imagine that). These are just a chance (well, three chances) for the school to get to know you better. So make the most of them by sharing values and insights, but don’t over-obsess as though your life depends on them. ‘Cuz it doesn’t.

How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #7

For Applicants Pursuing an A.B. Degree or are Undecided: 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? Please respond in 250 words or fewer.

Example 4 (originally for Lehigh University):

I embody two souls: an untamed businesswoman and her introverted companion. I’m one of those people who talks to strangers at auctions for hours, but can’t explain her feelings to friends. At the same time, I’m a leader in my own little universe: daughter, sister, self-reliant real estate magnate (so I’d like to think). In Lehigh I see similar dichotomies: classic, but contemporary by nature; a deeply American institution, but one that celebrates its cultural diversity. At Lehigh, this confident entrepreneur who’s still looking for her voice will thrive on competition. Business is my forte, math is my happy place, and I look forward to majoring in Business Economics with a minor in Mathematics. My future is also firmly tied to my identity as a Muslim woman and my commitment to my faith. As I publicly become the person I am in private, I can see myself as a leader in Lehigh’s MSA, Best Buddies, or the Family Business club. I also look forward to creating collaborative spaces with other like-minded folks in my own “Economics of Food” club. Speaking of which, I’ve been a foodie since childhood, passionately consuming Mauritian Gato Pima, chicken feet, and the Bangladeshi delicacy Sweet Shemai. At Lehigh, I can begin my journey of becoming a great restaurant maven with classes like “Supply, Cost, and Risk Management” and “Entrepreneurship and Enterprise.” As a restaurateur and polyglot who loves to travel, I hope to add three or four languages to my arsenal, starting with “Latin Prose,” “German Conversation and Composition,” and “Elementary French.” And someday, in addition to running my Bengali/French/Italian fusion restaurants, I will become the next Cathy Engelbert, fighting for the next generation of ambitious young women, a journey I started at Lehigh.

— — —

How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompt #8

For this one, rather than general tips, check out our complete guide on the “Why us?” essay . Want the TL;DR version? Here it is …

Don’t talk about things Princeton already knows about itself and hears from tons of other applicants. These are things like weather, location, ranking, or reputation. Also try to avoid taking language directly from the website or brochures. Articulate things in your own words.

Weave in your qualities, skills, and interests. Don’t just talk about why you like Princeton. Explain why you’re a good fit for the school. Remember, it’s a two-way street.

Research—a lot. Find specific resources, programs, or classes that appeal to you. This includes reading student reviews and doing tours (online, in-person, or both). You might even want to talk to the local rep for your area. You can find this person on Princeton’s website.

Connect back to your core values. For each part of Princeton that you like and want to explore, explain how that relates to one of your guiding principles.

Example 5 (note that your essay will be a bit shorter than this one):

The reason I love engineering can be summed up in one of my favorite jokes: “To an optimist, the glass is half full. To a pessimist, the glass is half empty. To an engineer, the glass is twice as big as it should be.” In my pursuit of a chemical engineering degree, it is important to me that Princeton has an ABET accredited School of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering, ensuring that I will be learning material that is both applicable and relevant to the industry. I am especially interested in the new Environmental Biotechnology class offered to CBE students, as I want to learn more about oncolytic viruses and gene therapy. I am confident that I will be able to handle the rigor of this class as I have already taken sophomore and junior level classes, such as Differential Equations and Genetics, at the Georgia Institute of Technology. Through this, I have learned how to study effectively for college courses while also connecting with my genetics professor, Dr. John McDonald, on possibly working with him on functionalized nanoparticle drug delivery to cancer cells. I want to continue working on independent research at Princeton as well. For the past few years, I have been working on designing biosensors for Alzheimer’s detection and a new water purification technology. I want to use Princeton’s unique focus on independent investigations and its requirement of a senior thesis to continue this. More specifically, I am interested in working at the Andlinger Center for Energy and Environment with Professor Jose Avalos of the Avalos Research Group on biosensor and bioremediation research. I feel prepared to handle the rigor of the lab, having already worked in a cleanroom and on my own major research projects with mentors from Georgia Tech and the Indian Institute of Technology. Most of all, I hope to utilize the eLab Incubation Program and Summer Accelerator to bring my research ideas to the market. At Princeton, I would also like to pursue an Entrepreneurship certificate. Students I spoke with highlighted how their certificates weren’t just extra work on a different subject but were woven in with their majors, empowering them to apply the fundamentals of science to the real world. Having been part of the Talented Young Entrepreneurs program as well as writing a business plan for a mock startup company through FBLA, I hope to use Princeton’s certificate program to supplement my chemical engineering degree in order to start my own biotech business one day. Finally, I look forward to continuing my Science Olympiad experience at Princeton, one of the only major schools to run a tournament. My years of not only competing in events such as Chem lab, Hovercraft, and Robot Arm, but also helping organize the largest Division B Invitational in the Southeast, provide me with ample experience for serving in a supervisory role for the Princeton Invitational. And the plethora of poorly run events that I have participated in ensure that no one else will ever have to go through that. My experiences in high school have allowed me to determine only that a glass is too big. But at Princeton, I know I will have the perfect tools to complete my journey to become an engineer, and finally see the glass as exactly “twice as big as it should be.”

Notice the hook. The author starts off with a joke that shows her fondness for the particularities of engineer-types. We like her and want to keep reading.

It’s clearly about the engineering school. This may be fairly obvious, but keep in mind that the question is asking you to reference a specific school within Princeton as a larger institution. The author here doesn’t just say why she likes Princeton as a whole; she shows that she’s done her research about the program named in the prompt. She tells us a specific certificate she’d like to pursue, a research project she’d like to join, and classes she’d like to take. Specifics here are key.

The author brags in a way that makes sense. This author has done a lot of wonderful things in high school that she (justifiably) highlights in this essay. However, as mentioned before, she does this in a logical way, by connecting her past to her future. For every past accomplishment she mentions, she follows it up with a pledge to continue learning by utilizing Princeton’s engineering resources.

By this point you should have all the tools you need to begin writing your own answers to Princeton’s supplemental essay prompts. It’s time to start.

Want advice on dozens of other supplemental essays? Click here

Special thanks to Luci for writing this post.

Luci is an audiophile and storyteller with a love of all things radio and writing. In the wild, you might catch her struggling through a NY Times crossword puzzle, snuggling her abnormally fluffy dog Oreo, or saying her favorite expression “cool beans.” Crosswords, cute dogs, cool beans. What more could you ask for?

Top values: Interpersonal connections | humor | openness to new experience

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Unpacking the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

Padya Paramita

September 12, 2022

Having held that coveted number one spot in the US News Ranking of Best National Universities for the last few years, it should come as no surprise that you need to bring your A-game to get into Princeton University. Obviously, your grades, scores, and extracurricular activities matter a great deal, but don’t underestimate the power of well-written answers to the prompts offered by the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 .

Take the time to perfect your answers to the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 so that admissions officers are not only impressed by the quality of your writing but also believe that you’re a strong fit for an institution as selective as Princeton. To help guide you through the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 , I have outlined each of the prompts, ways to strategize your answers to them, and additional tips for your responses.

Prompts for the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

While none of the questions explicitly ask why you want to attend Princeton (because let’s face it, almost everybody wants to attend Princeton), they do help the school gauge your areas of interest, your academic and extracurricular strengths, and the ways through which you’d contribute to the campus community. Let’s take a closer look at each of the Princeton prompts and some strategies to approach them.

Please briefly elaborate on one of your extracurricular activities or work experiences that was particularly meaningful to you. (Response required in about 150 words.)

It might be difficult to pick only one of your activities for the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 , or the right extracurricular might jump out to you immediately. In either case, it’s okay if this activity is not the one that looks most impressive to others. When analyzing your supplemental essays, Princeton wants to know “ what you care about, what commitments you have made and what you’ve done to act on those commitments. ” What’s key here is that you choose the activity which has had the most influence on you, and allowed you to have an impact on others in return. Choose an activity that has helped your growth, developed your career interest, or is the one activity you look forward to the most every week.

The keywords in this prompt are “particularly meaningful.” Remember to address what makes this activity more meaningful to you than the others. Has it helped you hone your leadership skills? Has it catalyzed your motivation to work with others? Is this what you want to do for the rest of your life? 150 words is extremely short, so don’t spend all of your words summarizing the activity. Throw in a short anecdote, or focus on describing ways that this activity stands out over the rest and why it holds that special spot in your life.

For A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who are Undecided:

This is the closest the university gets to a “why Princeton” essay. Admissions officers don’t just want to know why you’re applying to Princeton generally; they expect you to go into specific detail about Princeton’s academic offerings. You can talk about multiple interests across the humanities, arts, natural sciences, and social sciences.

Notice that this type of essay should mainly cover academics. Princeton’s clubs and student organizations may make it an alluring place for you, but the question explicitly asks about your choice of study. Look through the college website and think about what you can write that won’t be common in other students’ essays. Is there an English professor whose writing resonates with you? Would a particular psychology or sociology class perfectly fit in with your 10-year plan? Remember that admissions officers are trying to figure out how you’d make the most of your experience on the Princeton campus. So, write elaborately about how you would take advantage of the curriculum and give them a sense of the ways in which you’d make a valuable addition to the classroom.

For B.S.E Degree Applicants:

This essay is required if you’ve indicated Bachelor of Science in Engineering as a possible degree on your application, and with good reason. Princeton wants to know whether you are genuinely interested in the field of engineering, and specifically in the Princeton School of Engineering’s offerings. This is a much more standard supplemental essay prompt than the one before. Most engineering programs will require a similar essay, so don’t write a response that could be substituted for an application to any other school. Your answer must be as specific as possible to Princeton’s engineering offerings.

Don’t go overboard with all the reasons you’re interested in studying engineering. Focus on one or two of your most impactful activities and experiences, such as working in an engineering lab over the summer or building a robot at school. Again, you must be specific! Shallow motivations won’t win over Princeton’s admissions officers. If you want to excel with this question, you need to research concrete examples of what appeals to you. For example, you could talk about how working with the Princeton Engineering Education for Kids student organization combines your love for engineering and working with children.

Admissions officers are looking for students who are passionate about their major, involved community leaders, and truly interested in Princeton. This essay is a great chance to show that you check all of the boxes.

Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words.

Princeton wants to know how students will engage in classroom discussions and conversations during meals and or in hallways. The difficult topic you address isn’t limited to academics—it could be about sports, books, music, movies, television, or politics (although I would tread the latter department carefully). You could have been on the more generally agreed-upon side of a common debate, or you may have held a controversial view. The important part isn’t what happened, so focus instead on the latter parts of the question. Dedicate most of your essay to discussing what insight you gained from the conversation, how you’ve acted since, and how you would bring this knowledge to Princeton.

Be careful while answering this prompt, especially if your viewpoint on the topic can be seen as controversial. With a topic like this, it’s easy to get carried away with your writing, especially if you have a lot of feelings on the matter. You only have 250 words at hand, so remember that your goal here is to talk about why this anecdote stands out to you and how it has shaped you. Allow admissions officers to learn more about you, and make sure you haven’t written anything that can offend or harm any individual or group of people.

Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

This prompt is geared towards understanding students' involvement in community engagement and service. If you're passionate about community work and have dedicated yourself to improving your community, this is the place to expand on it. Write about any initiatives or work you have done to positively impact your community, or if you have demonstrated your passion for service and have been recognized for it. For example, if you received a Girl Scout Gold Award, this is the place to include it.

Remember that Princeton is one of the most selective universities in the world. Simply writing about a service trip abroad, or single community service participation won't do. When you write about this topic, think about what you're genuinely passionate about when it comes to community involvement, and how you have conveyed sustained commitment towards it.

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

These questions might throw you off a little. After all, how can you figure out what Princeton is even looking for? Don’t panic. You definitely don’t have to come up with responses that you believe are super deep and intellectual. Don’t mention that your favorite song is a jazz or classical piece if you think these sound impressive even though you don't actually like them. As cheesy as it sounds, the question states that you should be yourself. Admissions officers want to get to know you.

You don’t have to force yourself to be extra witty, but if you can come up with fun or clever answers to questions that allow for it, such as, “what brings you joy,” that’s great! But let it come to you naturally. Admissions officers have had years of experience reading answers to questions like these. They know if you’re trying to guess what you think they want to hear. At the same time, think about what other applicants would say. Avoid super common answers so that you can stand out as memorable. Your answers should be unique to you and your tastes.

Additional Tips for Writing the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023

The Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 might throw you off because unless you’re applying to the School of Engineering, you don’t get a chance to elaborate on why you believe Princeton is the right school for you. However, there are ways you can convey to admissions officers that you’re a great fit for the school by bringing out characteristics that the school values and highlighting them in your essays. Don’t underestimate the difference powerful supplements can make. Good luck!

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2022-23 Princeton Supplemental Essays – Prompts and Tips

Princeton University’s 3.98% acceptance rate for the 2021-22 freshman class was the lowest in school history. When applying to an Ivy like Princeton, even applicants with perfect GPAs and test scores need to find a way to stand out from a pack of equally-credentialed teens. Fortunately, the Princeton supplemental essays provide just such an opportunity. These compositions present the chance for wanna-be-Tigers to showcase superior writing ability. This is an opportunity to craft responses that are authentic, honest, compelling, and potentially needle-moving to the admissions office.

(Want to learn more about How to Get Into Princeton? Visit our blog entitled: How to Get Into Princeton: Admissions Data and Strategies for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

Below are Princeton’s essay prompts for the 2022-23 admissions cycle with accompanying advice about how to tackle each one:

Princeton Supplemental Essays – Extracurricular Activity and Work Experience

Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you. (please respond in about 150 words)..

Take the university at their word and select an activity that is “particularly meaningful to you.” This does not necessarily mean the activity/activities where you earned the most prestigious accolades or held the highest position of leadership (although it could). The school is going to view all of your activities in that section of the Common App —which of those is crying out for more explanation and detail? Which one is closest to your heart and most representative of your unique passions? Pick that one and fire away!

Princeton Supplemental Essays – Your Voice

Please respond to each question in an essay of about 250 words.

1) At Princeton, we value diverse perspectives and the ability to have respectful dialogue about difficult issues. Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?

It’s no secret that we live in a polarized culture, where there seems little room for constructive dialogue between individuals with competing viewpoints. This is a chance to show that you are an open-minded, intellectually curious, truth-seeking young person who is willing to engage in conversations/debates with people who hold opposing positions on important topics. One key thing to remember when addressing this prompt is that you don’t have to be the hero of the anecdote. In fact, you may be one who learned to expand their thinking.

2)Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.

Remember, the admissions committee has already seen the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the number of hours you volunteered at multiple nonprofit organizations. This shouldn’t be a recap of already-presented information. Rather, applicants should strive to share issues close to their heart. We encourage you to share specific details about a time (or two) that you were civically engaged or volunteered on a community service project. Most students will enter something generic in this essay. You can be one of the few who writes something so personal and heartfelt that the admissions reader takes note.

More About You

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

1)What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

You can be straightforward, offbeat, or highly-creative on this one—all with equal effectiveness. The straightforward answer would be something directly related to Princeton’s programmatic or extracurricular offerings. Discussing particular character traits, work habits, or social goals you hope to pursue are fair game as well. If you really hope that college is when you finally take the time to pursue a new hobby, go ahead and share those aims in this space. It could be anything: crossword puzzles, stand-up comedy, yoga, genealogy, journaling, etc.

2)What brings you joy?

What brings you great pleasure and happiness? Universal experiences of joy like family, a beautiful sunset, smiling children, or your cat or dog curled on your lap are perfectly acceptable answers here. However, you could also talk about dreams for the future, more bittersweet moments, abstract thoughts, moments of glorious introversion, or a time that you unexpectedly felt joy.

3)What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

As Plato wrote, “Music gives a soul to the universe, wings to the mind, flight to the imagination and life to everything.” Music can express emotions that are beyond words. What stirs up deep feelings of connection within your soul? Be honest. It doesn’t have to be Bach’s Toccata and Fugue in D Minor. Rather, it might be a piece by Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, or Lana Del Ray. Don’t be afraid to share what music you genuinely connect with even if it isn’t “high-brow”.

How important are the Princeton supplemental essays?

Princeton rates the essays as being a “very important” factor in their evaluation process. The essays are listed alongside GPA, the rigor of high school coursework, class rank, extracurricular activities, recommendations, talent/ability, and character/personal qualities.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

Lastly, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your Princeton supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote today.

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Princeton Supplement
More About You · What is a new skill you would like to learn in college? · What brings you joy? · What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?
Application Dates & Deadlines
... Application and the Princeton Supplement. You can apply to Princeton as a first-year student through single-choice early action or regular decision.
Princeton University 2022-23 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide
Do you take care of stray pets that one day you hope to save through veterinary work? Do your weekly visits with grandma have you declaring a gerontology major?
How to Write the Princeton University Essays 2022-2023
Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would
Princeton Supplemental Essay 2022-2023
Princeton application essays let you show who you are as a person beyond your test scores, grades, and activities. Sometimes, when students are asked to reflect
The Complete Guide to the Princeton Supplement
The Princeton Supplement also requires an Engineering Essay from applicants who have indicated on their applications an interest in pursuing
How to Respond to the 2022-2023 Princeton Supplemental Essay
Has one of your hobbies taught you a new skill you cherish? · Have you participated in travel that challenged your beliefs? · Did growing up
How to Write the Princeton Supplemental Essay
For Applicants Pursuing a B.S.E. Degree: Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your
Unpacking the Princeton Supplemental Essays 2022-2023
The goal of the Princeton supplemental essays 2022-2023 is to provide further information on who you are and what you're all about. There's no
2022-23 Princeton Supplemental Essays
What brings you great pleasure and happiness? Universal experiences of joy like family, a beautiful sunset, smiling children, or your cat or dog