No. The master’s programs are separate programs that terminate with the master’s degree.

There are two types of master’s programs: Master of Science in Engineering (M.S.E.) and Master of Engineering (M.Eng.). The M.S.E. is available in all departments except Electrical Engineering and is typically funded (tuition and stipend). The M.Eng. is available in all departments except Computer Science and Operations Research and Financial Engineering.

If you are interested in obtaining a Ph.D., you should apply directly to the Ph.D. program in your field. Most departments offer a master’s degree “en route” to the Ph.D. (usually after your second year).

The school takes a “holistic reading process” approach to reviewing applications. All aspects of the application, including undergraduate coursework, test scores, research experience, and letters of recommendation, are considered.

Strengths in any of these areas may compensate for weaknesses in any other areas, and while it is not necessary to possess an impeccable record in all areas, strength in each is correlated with admission.

In short, there is no formula for gaining admission. Meeting even a small group of current students will help you realize the diverse backgrounds of our admitted students.

There are no strict cutoffs or quotas pertaining to GRE scores and admission. Averages are reported in some university publications and media such as U.S. News & World Report.

The majority of scores for recently admitted students were over 550 on the verbal portion and over 700 on the quantitative portion, with specific results varying across departments and programs.

Please do not let scores you perceive to be low discourage you from applying, as strengths in other areas can and regularly do compensate.

Not necessarily. It is not required that you contact faculty members at Princeton, nor is it clear that doing so will help you gain admission. The answer varies from one faculty member to another.

If you have a specific question about a faculty member’s research, you are welcome to send him or her an email. However, please keep in mind that faculty members are very busy, so you should not feel discouraged from applying if you do not receive a response.

In fact, some faculty have a policy of not responding to emails from prospective students to avoid issues of advantage or fairness. Please be sure to visit the faculty member’s web page first to see if he or she encourages emails from prospective students.

If you are planning to visit the campus as a prospective student, please email the graduate program administrator for your department to arrange meetings with faculty members with whom you would like to meet. Please see the department web pages for contact information for your prospective graduate program administrator.

No. Many of our students majored in other disciplines as undergraduates.

Since the school emphasizes both engineering and applied science, a large number of these students majored in the sciences and are now pursuing more applied work. Other students come from non-science fields.

All departments do, however, have core competency requirements that usually must be fulfilled within the first two years in the program. These requirements vary in terms of the background knowledge expected of incoming students.

Please consult the departmental web sites and graduate program administrators for specific information.

The short answer is no, although you must apply to only one department.

Departments and research groups take varying approaches in this matter, though all departments have some flexibility so that students are not committed to one faculty member or research group from the day they arrive.

Many departments do, however, request that students indicate a division of interest on their applications, and they assign first-year advisors based on these interests. Please check with the department’s graduate program administrators for further information about this question.

Generally, yes. Your personal statement should detail why you would like to attend Princeton Engineering for graduate school and should indicate that you are aware of the research opportunities available in your program and have considered faculty members and research groups that are a good match for your background and interests.

Often this information is used by departments to ensure that appropriate faculty members have a chance to review relevant applications and to help in making decisions such as first year advisor assignments. However, it is also important to be selective and show thoughtfulness. Simply listing the names of every professor in your program or division will not impress anybody.

It is a two-semester, course-based Master of Engineering degree.

No courses taken while an undergraduate may count toward the M.Eng. degree, and no courses may be retaken to count toward the M.Eng. degree.

Those admitted to candidacy for the M.Eng. degree must demonstrate full external financial support – typically provided by an employer or through an external fellowship.  The M.Eng. program does not admit self-supporting applicants. Princeton does not offer institutional funding for students in this program.

Eligibility requirements will vary by department. Some departmental programs are only open to Princeton students from designated majors. You are advised to read carefully each department’s graduate application webpage for eligibility requirements, deadlines, and submission materials.

Questions about specific requirements such as GPAs, or from non-BSE Princeton students, should be directed to the departments of interest.

Applications from BSE students and non-BSE students in departments other than the one for which they are applying will be assessed to determine level of preparation for completing graduate coursework.

The graduate application can be found at: https://gradschool.princeton.edu/admission/applying-princeton/apply.

Final decisions and official notifications will be sent by the graduate school in March, and admitted applicants will have until April 15 to accept the offer of admission.

You can find information on the application fee waiver on the Graduate School’s Deadlines and Fees Page.

You apply for a fee waiver in the graduate application itself. As you fill out the application for admission you will offered the opportunity to request a fee waiver based on one of several criteria: 

Financial Hardship

If you request a waiver based on financial need, you will be asked to submit documentation to support your request. To allow time to process your request, be sure to submit your application 2-3 days early. Students should not try to apply on the night of the deadline for admission and a fee waiver based on financial need.

Recruiting Event Attendee

The application form will show you a list of recruiting events eligible for fee waivers. Click any that you attended.

Participation in a Program

The application form also will show you a list of programs designed to help students prepare for applying to graduate school. Students with past or present participation in one of these programs are eligible for fee waivers. Only programs from the listed are accepted.

For example: Princeton Engineering offers two such programs: Hidden Curriculum or Pathways to Graduate School. Applicants should do the following:

1. Select YES for Applying for a Fee Waiver
2. Select Participating Program
3. In the selection box, scroll down to Program Name and select it
4. Enter the date you attended the webinar
5. Click continue