<p>@Darkfireguitar: Harvard, unlike Princeton, did not specify a word limit, so in reality an applicant will not be accused of “not reading the instructions” for writing over 500 words. On the other hand, Princeton states that they would like an approximately 500-word essay. In my opinion, “approximately” usually indicates that it is okay to exceed the limit by ~50 words, MAX 600 words, but no more.</p>
<p>Are teacher references, secondary school report w/ counselor recommendation, and official transcript supposed to be mailed in addition to submitting them online through the common application?</p>
<p>My common app says that Princeton Downloaded all of those items, but my application tracking service account says that all of those items are missing. </p>
<p>However, it says that my Princeton application and supplement were received. Does it take a few days for the items to be pulled out of the application? Just a lag period?</p>
<p>@Imagineer
When I applied SCEA, I submitted everything online at the same time, but they acknowledged receipt of my teacher references and secondary school report a few days after everything else. I think it’s pretty normal for them to do that</p>
<p>Do all applicants receive a Princeton interview? I was emailed the day after I submitted my application about an interview. Is there any significance in this or is this what happens to all applicants???</p>
<p>Thanks in advance to whoever answers this :)</p>
<p>^They will try to accommodate interviews for all applicants, but it will depend on the availability of alumni interviewers in your area. Whether or not you receive an interview has no bearing on the status of your application.</p>
<p>How soon after everything is submitted and complete do you get an interview request?</p>
<p>@ialan137: I got mine today and I submitted my app on 12/30. I think they’re still processing information, so perhaps around this month?</p>
<p>Thank you!</p>
<p>Does the interviewer see the application?</p>
<p>No, unless you show him/her your application yourself.</p>
<p>Thank you.</p>
<p>I am an Undeclared major applicant. I would like to know how does Princeton’s education cater to students like myself who have not decided on which major to concentrate on yet? I feel that I may venture into either the science field or the business field. I understand that the first two years in Princeton is basically a ‘General Curriculum’ where students get to study subjects from many different disciples, but basically my question is, how does the way the teaching works or how does the school help a student find out his/her niche?</p>
<p>Thank you in advance! :)</p>
<p>Does being the grandchild of a Princeton alum help at all? Thanks!</p>
<p>@jchick: Basically, you can take more or less random classes during your first two years. Note that Princeton doesn’t have a business program, so if that’s one of your potential interests, you may want to look elsewhere.</p>
<p>You’ll have a lot of freedom here to explore whatever you want, but don’t expect that to translate into the school “guiding” you towards something. You have to keep in mind the pre-reqs for different departments. There are also tons of open houses, dinner talks, etc from different departments / majors throughout the year, where you can talk to both professors and current students about a particular major. I think that there are also ways to get in touch with people in a major you’re considering.</p>
<p>But mostly, take random classes → keep taking ones you find interesting → eventually decide is the path most people take. Depending on which science you’re considering, though, you might have to start taking relevant classes early.</p>
<p>In math / science / engineering, you CANNOT take random classes your first two years. In many cases, you’re going to have to be doing a lot of catch up if you don’t start taking the pre-reqs freshman fall. You can have a few majors in mind and take all the necessary classes for each of them, but you should be looking carefully at the requirements for every major you’re considering before freshman year starts.</p>
<p>Hmm… okay. Thanks for the input- gave me a lot to think about.</p>
<p>Take a look at the websites for some of the science majors - they generally have a few typical course schedules. (for example, [Princeton</a> University - Department of Molecular Biology - Typical Routes](<a href=“Department of Molecular Biology”>Department of Molecular Biology) and [Typical</a> Courses - Physics Department, Princeton University](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/physics/undergraduate-program/program-of-study/typical-courses/]Typical”>http://www.princeton.edu/physics/undergraduate-program/program-of-study/typical-courses/))</p>
<p>What has been your experience with academic advising? If I am not mistaken, you are assigned someone in your college? Any academic decisions that you regret?</p>
<p>Ehhhh. We have “advisers.” Lots of 'em. Honestly, though, I haven’t found them to be useful at all – it’s impossible for an advisor to know everything about every department and every course. Engineers get specific engineering advisers, AB students get advisers based on their residential college. So, if you’re a BSE student, your adviser will at least be in the engineering dept; if you’re AB, you could have an Anthro professor or a Physics professor as your adviser. Pretty random.</p>
<p>Your advisor has to sign off on your courses. This means, for example, that they will discourage freshman from taking 5+ courses in the fall semester. They will sort of, sometimes make sure that you’re filling your distribution requirements.</p>
<p>However, honestly what you /have/ to do is make sure that you’re fulfilling the prerequisites for your potential majors, like stlkarategal said, and you’ll be fine. (For example: I’m a computer science major, so there are 3 COS courses I have to take by the end of sophomore year, plus some math.) </p>
<p>You can also stop by your college office if you need to talk about things. You have an RA (or RCA, as we call them.) There are “peer advisors” you can meet with. Upperclassmen are generally willing to dispense advice. Etc.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long reply. Basically: I haven’t found my advisers to be particularly helpful, though I do happen to know my current one pretty well since he’s taught two of my classes. That was lucky, though! I depend more on the course evaluations on the registrar’s site and talking to upperclassmen. I personally had a mentor through a COS group last year, and that was helpful.</p>
<p>I haven’t made any academic decisions I regret, though!</p>
<p>Wow! I have checked out the course prerequisites and it looks like they prepare one well from freshmen year towards one’s major. I will make up my mind soon on whether to do social sciences or more hard/pure sciences such as engineering. Personally, I love both just as much, and I can’t decide on one. Correct me if I am wrong, but pure sciences appears to give one more flexibility because that majors enables one to be well read in social sciences and pure sciences whereas a social science major may not have as strong of a foundation in math/science? Do correct me if I am wrong, this is just a thought/observation.</p>