“Quintessentially Princeton” (the senior thesis at Princeton)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/thesis/senior_theses_2007.pdf%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pub/thesis/senior_theses_2007.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>“The senior thesis, an independent work that typically runs about 100 pages, gives seniors the opportunity to pursue original research and scholarship under the guidance of faculty advisers.</p>

<p>“In the recently re-issued guide, “The Thesis: Quintessentially Princeton” [use the above link to download the .pdf file], Nathaniel Fintz joins several members of the class of 2006 in reflecting on their experience writing a senior thesis.</p>

<p>“… the most wonderful aspect of the senior thesis is that it provides an opportunity not only to say something original, but also to blaze your own path into scholarly territory that may be largely unexplored or uncharted,” he writes. “Seizing such an opportunity is perhaps the greatest way to approach your biggest undergraduate project, especially if you feel passionately curious about your topic, and if you have your adviser’s good guidance along the way.”</p>

<hr>

<p>The above link will take you to a great pamphlet discussing the senior thesis at Princeton.</p>

<p>This one's for Collegehopeful78 but I thought I'd make it a separate thread so that it can more easily be found. While senior independent work is possible at many of Princeton's competitors, it is usually optional. Princeton is one of the few places in the country where it is mandatory for graduation and is thus one of the great bonding experiences that Princeton undergraduates enjoy.</p>

2

<p>I got this book in the mail a long time ago...it's really interesting.
Also, that was before I had decided on Princeton, and quintessentially is one of my top 3 favorite words ever...and when I saw it, being my lame self, I was thinking "YAY! A SIGN!"</p>

<p>I promise that's not the only reason I chose Princeton though :).</p>

3

<p>Upon being admitted, my child received a version of this booklet that was based upon the work of seniors who had graduated in 2002 and 2003. Although the booklet makes clear that these theses are selected from among the best, I was stilll astounded by the level of sophistication of the analysis that the authors had done. I shall be proud indeed if my child produces a work at a similar level.</p>