Princeton University, often hailed as the world’s top academic institution, has been America’s best university for 12 consecutive years, according to U.S. News and World Report.

Founded in 1746, it has prestige that draws thousands of hopeful students annually, but only a select few earn a coveted spot.

Freshman admission may seem competitive, but transfer admission is in a league of its own. The Princeton transfer acceptance rate consistently falls between 1-3%, making it one of the most selective transfer processes in higher education.

Princeton University Transfer Acceptance Rates: 2020-2025

Securing a transfer spot at Princeton is a formidable challenge: though acceptance rates have risen slightly in recent years, they remain highly competitive. Princeton didn’t accept transfer candidates for many years until restarting the program in 2018.

Princeton’s 2024-2025 Transfer Admission Rate

For the 2024-2025 transfer cycle at Princeton University, approximately 1,985 applicants applied, and the university extended admission offers to 38 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 1.9 %.

Princeton’s 2023-2024 Transfer Admission Rate

For the 2023-2024 transfer cycle at Princeton University, there were 1,588 applicants, and the university extended admission offers to 49 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 3.1%.

Princeton’s 2022-2023 Transfer Admission Rate

For the 2022-2023 transfer cycle at Princeton University, there were 1,201 applicants, and the university extended admission offers to 35 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 2.91%.

Princeton’s 2021-2022 Transfer Admission Rate

In the fall of 2021, exactly 1,350 transfer applicants vied for one of 18 Princeton spots. This means that the university’s transfer acceptance rate was a meager 1.3%.

Princeton’s 2020-2021 Transfer Admission Rate

For the 2020-2021 transfer cycle at Princeton University, there were approximately 800 applicants, and the university extended admission offers to 13 of them, resulting in a transfer acceptance rate of 1.6%.

Princeton Transfer Application Overview

Transferring to Princeton demands time and effort due to its extensive essay and short-answer requirements, plus a graded academic paper.

Required Prompts

Craft compelling responses to showcase your unique perspective and align with Princeton’s values in the following prompts.

Prompt	Description	Word Limit
Activity or Hobby	Briefly elaborate on an activity, organization, work experience, or hobby that has been particularly meaningful to you.	150 words or fewer
Difficult Conversation	Share a time when you had a conversation with a person or a group of people about a difficult topic. What insight did you gain, and how would you incorporate that knowledge into your thinking in the future?	250 words or fewer
Service and Civic Engagement	Princeton has a longstanding commitment to service and civic engagement. Tell us how your story intersects (or will intersect) with these ideals.	250 words or fewer
New Skill	What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?	50 words or fewer
Source of Joy	What brings you joy?	50 words or fewer
Life’s Soundtrack	What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?	50 words or fewer
Future Plans	What are your plans during and after your higher education experience?	150 words or fewer

Graded Academic Paper

You must submit a graded written paper with these specifications:

Course Preference: From an academic course, ideally English, social studies, or history, completed in the last three years of high school.
Accepted Formats: Paper, essay, research paper, or essay exam (expository writing only, no creative writing).
Length: 1-2 pages.
Requirements: Include the instructor’s grade and any comments provided.

Princeton Transfer Deadline and Decision Date

Princeton only accepts applications for fall semester entry, making timing essential for your application strategy.

Princeton’s Transfer Program looks for a small group of exceptionally well-prepared students, particularly encouraging applications from students from lower-income backgrounds, community college students, and U.S. military veterans.

Here’s a breakdown of all the important deadlines and decision dates you need to know:

Important Note: Dates are subject to change, so always verify current deadlines on Princeton’s official admissions website.

Princeton’s Need-Blind Admission Policy for Transfer Students

Good News for All Transfer Applicants: Princeton University is need-blind for both domestic and international transfer students.

What This Means:

Your financial situation will NOT affect your admission chances
Admissions decisions are based solely on academic and personal merits
Your ability to pay for education is not considered during application review

Who This Applies To:

✅ U.S. citizens and permanent residents
✅ International students from all countries

Bottom Line: Princeton’s commitment to need-blind admissions ensures the most qualified candidates are admitted regardless of economic background, making it one of the most accessible elite universities for transfer students.

Who’s Not Eligible to Transfer? (Admission & Credit Requirements)

Princeton restricts certain applicants from transfer admission. You are not eligible if you:

Hold a Bachelor’s Degree: Students who have already attained an undergraduate bachelor’s degree or its equivalent are not eligible to apply for transfer admission or first-year admission, as Princeton does not grant second bachelor’s degrees.
Attend a Non-Accredited Institution: To be eligible to transfer for credit, a course must be completed at an accredited postsecondary institution.
Are Dual-Enrolled in High School: Students who are dual-enrolled in both a high school and college program should apply as first-year students.
Earned College Credits Before High School Completion: Students who have earned college credits before completing high school cannot transfer those college credits to a Princeton undergraduate degree.
Have Less Than One Full Year of College: Students with less than one full year by the time of enrollment are encouraged to apply as first-year students.

Note: Princeton requires transfer applicants to have the equivalent of one or more years of full-time postsecondary transferrable credit by the spring prior to enrollment. However, students may not transfer for a higher standing than fall of junior year entry. Students with an associate’s degree remain eligible for transfer admission despite the bachelor’s degree restriction.

Princeton’s Transfer Visit Programs

Princeton University offers two specialized visit programs designed specifically for prospective transfer students who want to experience campus life firsthand.

Transfer Tuesdays are held on select Tuesdays throughout the semester and is particularly beneficial for students from low-income backgrounds, community college students, and those from military backgrounds.
Military Mondays provides a specialized experience tailored specifically for military-connected students and their families, featuring information sessions from military/veteran admission directors and campus tours from student veteran tour guides.

Both programs include:

Admission information sessions led by Princeton’s transfer admission directors
Guided campus tours from current students who understand the transfer experience
Opportunities to ask specific questions about the application process and requirements
Insights into what Princeton looks for in transfer candidates

Important Note: Participation in these programs will not increase your likelihood of admission, but they provide crucial insights that can help you craft a stronger application and determine if Princeton is the right fit.

Expert Support for Princeton Transfer Candidates

With a transfer acceptance rate of approximately 1-3% and an exceptionally competitive academic profile typically requiring a near-perfect college GPA, Princeton’s transfer process is among the most selective in the nation.

With Princeton accepting fewer than 50 transfer students annually, standing out requires strategic positioning and flawless execution across every required component.

Transfer Goat provides elite-level support to maximize your chances at this prestigious institution. Our services include:.

Extracurricular Enhancement: Strategically cultivate experiences that showcase your intellectual depth and alignment with Princeton’s “service to humanity” mission.
Unlimited Essay Revisions: Craft compelling narratives that capture Princeton’s emphasis on rigorous scholarship, ethical leadership, and global impact.
Personalized Strategy Sessions: Work directly with consultants who understand Princeton’s holistic review process and what distinguishes successful candidates.
Comprehensive Application Support: Navigate Princeton’s complex requirements, from selecting the perfect graded paper to securing impactful recommendations that resonate with admissions officers.

Book a Consultation

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Princeton accept transfer students?

Yes, Princeton accepts transfer students for fall semester entry only. Princeton’s Transfer Program looks for a small group of exceptionally well-prepared students from a range of backgrounds, particularly encouraging students from lower-income backgrounds, community college students, and U.S. military veterans.

What is Princeton’s transfer acceptance rate?

Princeton’s transfer admission rate ranges from approximately 1-3%. This makes Princeton one of the most selective transfer programs in the nation.

When is Princeton’s transfer application deadline?

The application deadline is March 1st, with all supporting materials due by March 8th.

When do Princeton transfer decisions come out?

Princeton’s transfer decision release date is mid-May, with accepted students having until late May to reply and secure their spot.

What application platform does Princeton use for transfers?

Transfer applicants must submit their application online through the Common Application along with Princeton-specific questions and supplementary materials.

What is the graded paper requirement for Princeton transfers?

Transfer applicants must submit a graded paper from a course taken within the last two to three years of schooling. While Princeton prefers papers from English or history courses, it will also consider papers from humanities and social sciences courses.

How many recommendation letters are required?

Transfer applicants need two academic recommendations from different academic areas of study, with at least one recommendation from a college instructor (professor or teaching assistant).

Are standardized tests required for Princeton transfer applicants?

Princeton’s test-optional policy continues to be in place for transfer applicants. Standardized tests are not required for an application to be rendered complete. However, students who choose to submit scores should complete testing by the end of March.

Is Princeton need-blind for transfer students?

Yes, Princeton maintains need-blind admission for both domestic and international transfer students, meaning your financial situation will not affect your admission decision.