Princeton University

Princeton University's campus covers nearly 200 hectares in the center of Princeton, New Jersey. It is known for its distinctive architecture and its wide green spaces. Gothic, Romanesque and modern styles come together in a striking, historically rich setting. Buildings such as Nassau Hall and University Chapel are prime examples of this architectural heritage. Nassau Hall once served as the capital of the United States during the Revolutionary War. University Chapel is one of the largest university chapels in the world.

Carefully landscaped gardens and public art, including works by Picasso and Henry Moore, add to the cultural life of the university. Notable facilities include Firestone Library, one of the largest university libraries in the world, with more than 7 million books. The Princeton University Art Museum holds more than 92,000 works of art spanning 5,000 years. The campus also has advanced research facilities. Among them are the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment and the Icahn Laboratory, a center for genomics and biological sciences.

Central to student life is the residential college system, six colleges that provide housing, meals and social activities. They form small communities within the larger university setting. Alongside extensive sports facilities such as Princeton Stadium and Jadwin Gymnasium, these colleges play an important role in student engagement and well-being.

Student life at Princeton covers a wide range of interests, with activities and organizations to match. You can choose from more than 300 student organizations. These include cultural groups, arts collectives, political organizations and service initiatives. The academic year is marked by major events such as Princeton Reunions and Lawnparties. Princeton Reunions is a large alumni gathering each spring, with parades, parties and discussions. Lawnparties is an outdoor music festival at the start of each semester, and it draws big-name artists and bands.

The university also emphasizes civic engagement through the Pace Center for Civic Engagement. The center supports volunteering and service projects both locally and globally. Academically, you benefit from a range of special programs and traditions that add to your education. Princeton is known for its challenging academic environment and its unique senior thesis requirement. The thesis lets you carry out in-depth research under the guidance of faculty advisors. The residential college system enriches social life, as students live and dine together in a close-knit community.

Each residential college hosts its own events, including formal dances, special dinners and academic talks. Dining clubs, the private institutions lining Prospect Street, serve as social and dining organizations for many freshmen and seniors. They add another layer of social interaction among students. Together, these parts of student life create a dynamic, supportive setting for personal growth and academic achievement.

• James Madison 
• Woodrow Wilson
• Samuel Alito
• Sonia Sotomayor
• Elena Kagan
• Jerome Powell
• Michelle Obama
• Aaron Burr
• Jeff Bezos
• F. Scott Fitzgerald
• John Forbes Nash
• Meg Whitman
• Eliot Spitzer