When Do Princeton Decisions Come Out?

---

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 2/13/24

‍

When does Princeton release decisions? If you’re curious about when you’ll hear back from Princeton, read on! 

‍

Princeton University, located in Princeton, NJ, is ranked by U.S. News World and Report as the best national university. The school receives tens of thousands of first-year applications each cycle. If you've applied to Princeton, you're probably wondering, "When do Princeton decisions come out?" 

Read on to learn more about when Princeton decisions come out, the pros and cons of each application timeline, and more. If you haven’t applied yet, take a look at our Princeton guide for tips on how to wow the admissions committee.

About Princeton

Princeton University is an Ivy League school, making it a popular top choice for ambitious high school students. The school’s unofficial motto, "Princeton in the nation's service and the service of humanity," reflects the institution's commitment to service and scholarship while inspiring students to live purposeful lives. 

Undergraduate Princeton students benefit from the school’s status as a top-tier teaching and research university with abundant resources. Students can cultivate their creativity and innovation as they explore a curriculum of liberal arts in: 

• Humanities
• Arts
• Social sciences
• Natural sciences
• Engineering

At Princeton, you’ll receive a world-class interdisciplinary education to prepare you for any path.

Pros and Cons of Each Program 

Now that you know when Princeton decisions come out, you can choose which program works best for you. Below, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of each method.

Single-Choice Early Action

While most Princeton applicants apply through Regular Decision, there are some benefits to applying early: 

• Generally higher acceptance rates (although this can be attributed to the quality of early applications) 
• You’ll receive your admissions decision sooner (Princeton EA release dates are in December)
• You still have the option to compare financial aid packages at other schools 
• You don’t necessarily need to attend Princeton if you’re accepted

It’s equally imperative to consider the downsides of EA: 

• Your application and materials are due much sooner 
• You can’t apply to an early program at any other university 
• You may be deferred to Regular Decision 
• Although you'll be competing against fewer applicants, these students typically produce impressive applications: you'll need to work harder to stand out 

If Princeton is your first-choice school and you’re confident you can perfect your application on time, EA might be right. 

Regular Decision 

These are some benefits of applying through Regular Decision at Princeton: 

• More time to work on your application
• You have more time to make an admissions decision
• You can apply to early decision at other schools if Princeton isn't your first choice

As with all programs, these are other factors to consider: 

• You’ll have to wait longer for decisions to come out (the Princeton RD release date is in March)
• You may have a tough choice to make regarding where to attend 
• Statistically, RD acceptance rates are lower than ED or EA (but this makes sense since many more students apply through RD) 

We don't recommend basing your program decision on statistics alone. RD may be better for you if you need more time to create a stellar application. Remember, though, that as an Ivy League school, Princeton attracts tens of thousands of Regular Decision applicants yearly. 

Transfer Applications 

Princeton University transfers must follow the same application timeline; there aren’t the same pros and cons as there are for first-year students. 

If your transfer application is successful, you’ll gain entry to Princeton! However, you should know that admission is competitive. During the 2022-2023 transfer cycle at Princeton University, there were 1,201 applicants. The university offered admission to 35 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 2.91%.

Princeton Decisions FAQs 

Read on to learn more about Princeton's decisions! 

1. What Time Do Princeton Decisions Come Out? 

Princeton Regular Decision notifications are typically released between 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. EST on Ivy Day. 

2. When Do Princeton Early Decisions Come Out? 

Princeton's early decisions come out in mid-December. 

3. What Is Princeton’s Acceptance Rate? 

Princeton’s acceptance rate is approximately 5.78%. 

4. Should I Apply to Princeton Through Early Action?

You should consider applying through Early Action if Princeton is your first-choice school and you're sure you can create, refine, and submit your application on time. 

5. How Hard Is It to Transfer to Princeton? 

Few Princeton University transfers are accepted annually. The current Princeton transfer student acceptance rate is around 2.91%. 

6. What Type of Students Get Into Princeton? 

Princeton seeks students “with intellectual curiosity, who have pursued and achieved academic excellence. We also look for students with strong personal and extracurricular accomplishments.”

7. When Does Princeton Send Out Likely Letters? 

Princeton sends out likely letters between October and March. However, don’t fret if you don’t receive one; many applicants are accepted to Princeton without receiving likely letters. 

Final Thoughts 

Waiting to hear your admissions decision is tough, but you'll soon know your application's fate. Now that you know when Princeton decisions come out, you can watch out for your admissions decision.

While you’re waiting, ensure you keep up with your grades and pursue meaningful activities. Good luck!