<p>In case you guys are curious, a quick interview on the Princeton thesis.</p>
<p>Advisee: What is the Princeton thesis?</p>
<p>Advisor: The thesis is one of the "quintessential" Princeton experiences, as well as by far my best academic experience at the university. The thesis is typically a 40-125 page paper (science theses tend to be shorter, humanities and social science theses tend to be longer) that consists of novel academic research on a very specific topic. To write a thesis, students need apply their knowledge of an academic field with their ability to research and write into a single, major work. </p>
<p>Advisee: How long does it take a typical student to write a thesis?</p>
<p>Advisor: Students typically select their thesis advisor at the end of junior year or very early in their senior year. Some students, especially in the sciences, start their research the summer before the senior year. However, most students start their thesis a few weeks into their senior year. While students typically complain about thesis early on, many don't start "cranking" on it until winter break. Thesis deadlines are in April or May, depending on the department. Thus, if a student starts focusing hard on their thesis during winter break, they have three or four months to write it. In those finals months, many students spend at least a few hours a day on their theses. The number of hours dramatically increases up top 15-20 hours a day in the final weeks leading up to the deadline.</p>
<p>Advisee: How do students have time to write the thesis? </p>
<p>Advisor: Students typically take either 3 classes in the fall and 3 classes in the spring or 4 classes in the fall and 2 classes in the spring - a much lighter schedule than the 4 or 5 classes a semester they take in prior years. </p>
<p>Advisee: Do engineers also have to write thesis? </p>
<p>Advisor: Though many engineers elect a thesis, engineers who are not majoring in Operational and Financial Engineering may elect to do two semesters of independent work tha t does not culminate into a single thesis. </p>
<p>Advisee: How does one select a topic for his thesis? </p>
<p>Advisor: Students select their thesis topics at the end of junior or very beginning of senior year. By then, each student has taken 3 years of classes at Princeton and has likely come across many topics that he would like to take a deeper dive into. Real world events, especially for students studying the social sciences, are also great sources for inspiration. Once students narrow down their topics, they discuss them with their thesis advisors, who are critical in helping students formulate and shape thesis topics. </p>
<p>More on: What</a> Do You Think of Princeton?s Thesis Requirement?</p>
<p>Happy to answer more questions.</p>