US holisticUnited States · Bachelor’sResearched 1d ago

Computer Science

Princeton University

PortPath researches criteria from public sources and can be incomplete or out of date. Always verify against the program’s official announcement before relying on it. PortPath never predicts admission chances.

Overview

Princeton admits first-year applicants to the university, not directly to the Computer Science major. For undergraduate Computer Science, applicants indicate A.B., B.S.E., or undecided interest, but admission is still university-wide and holistic; academics and writing carry the clearest emphasis, while portfolios are not a standard CS admission factor.

Admission criteria

PortfolioLow

Princeton does not use a Computer Science project portfolio as a standard first-year admission requirement. The only portfolio-like option is an optional Arts Supplement for applicants with significant achievement in architecture, creative writing, dance, music, music theater, theater, or visual arts, so this is not a normal factor for CS applicants.

Bar to clear: Not used by this program

Statement of PurposeHigh

Princeton places real weight on applicant writing. First-year applicants must answer Princeton-specific essay prompts, including an academic-interest prompt tied to A.B. or B.S.E. interest, and all applicants must submit a graded written paper. Princeton says these materials help assess writing, intellectual interests, potential contributions, and ability to thrive in its rigorous academic environment.

Bar to clear: Strong Princeton essays plus a graded analytical paper from English, history, or social studies

Academics & GPAHigh

Academics are a decisive factor in Princeton's holistic review. Princeton looks for intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, and the most rigorous courses available in context. For students considering engineering, Princeton says it looks closely at math and science preparation; recommended preparation includes four years of math with calculus for engineering, plus physics and chemistry for engineering.

Bar to clear: Top grades in the most rigorous curriculum available; for B.S.E.-leaning CS, calculus plus physics and chemistry

Test scoresMedium

For the current 2026-27 admission cycle, SAT/ACT is test-optional for first-year applicants seeking fall 2027 enrollment, and Princeton says applicants without scores are not disadvantaged. If submitted, scores are considered as one part of holistic review and stronger academic performance was associated with submitters in Princeton's review of the test-optional period. English proficiency testing is required for applicants whose native language is not English and whose school is not English-medium.

Bar to clear: SAT/ACT optional for fall 2027 entry; TOEFL, IELTS, DET, or PTE required if non-native English and not in English-medium school

Application components

Princeton-specific essaysGraded written paperTranscript / school gradesSAT or ACT score report if submittedEnglish proficiency test report if requiredOptional Arts Supplement only if applicable

How to stand out

→Treat Princeton CS as university-wide admission: write for fit with Princeton's academic model, not as a narrow direct-entry CS application.

→If you may choose the B.S.E. path, show strong preparation in calculus, physics, and chemistry as well as computing interest.

→Use the academic-interest essay to connect your curiosity to Princeton's liberal-arts-plus-research environment and, for B.S.E., to your engineering exposure.

→Submit a graded paper that shows clear analytical writing, teacher feedback, and strong reasoning rather than creative or data-heavy work.

→Prioritize top grades in the hardest courses available at your school; Princeton explicitly values rigor in context.

→Submit SAT/ACT only if it strengthens your file in the current test-optional cycle; do not skip required English testing if it applies to you.

Source confidence

92%Well sourced

Sources

Princeton Admission: Academics

admission.princeton.edu/academics

Official page stating students apply to Princeton University, not to individual departments, programs or schools; notes Computer Science offers both A.B. and B.S.E.

Princeton Admission: Application Checklist

admission.princeton.edu/apply/application-checklist

Official checklist describing transcript, Princeton-specific questions, graded written paper, optional arts supplement, English tests, and holistic review with no fixed weights.