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College Essay Prompts 2026-27

Princeton Supplemental Essay Prompts 2026-27

Princeton University's published supplemental essay prompts for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 application year, quoted from the college's own website, with the limit for each and whether it is required.

Application
Common App
Status
2026-27 prompts published
What to write
All first-year applicants answer 5 common prompts. Depending on how or where you apply, you may also have prompts for: A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided; B.S.E Degree Applicants.
Last checked
September 26, 2026
Official source
Princeton Admission: Princeton-specific Questions

The 2026-27 prompts

Quoted word for word from Princeton University. Limits are as the college states them. These are the first-year prompts the college publishes; transfer essays and questions that appear only inside the application portal are not listed.

Depending on which degree you wish to pursue at Princeton (A.B., B.S.E. or undecided), you will answer one of the two academic prompts, then there are three additional sections meant to help us get to know you even better.

Required for A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided

  1. 01

    As a research institution that also prides itself on its liberal arts curriculum, Princeton allows students to explore areas across the humanities and the arts, the natural sciences, and the social sciences. What academic areas most pique your curiosity, and how do the programs offered at Princeton suit your particular interests?

    250 wordsWhy us

Required for B.S.E Degree Applicants

  1. 02

    Please describe why you are interested in studying engineering at Princeton. Include any of your experiences in or exposure to engineering, and how you think the programs offered at the University suit your particular interests.

    250 wordsWhy us

Your Voice

Required of all applicants

  1. 03

    Princeton values community and encourages students, faculty, staff and leadership to engage in respectful conversations that can expand their perspectives and challenge their ideas and beliefs. As a prospective member of this community, reflect on how your lived experiences will impact the conversations you will have in the classroom, the dining hall or other campus spaces. What lessons have you learned in life thus far? What will your classmates learn from you? In short, how has your lived experience shaped you?

    400 to 500 wordsBackground and identity

  2. 04

    Princeton has a longstanding commitment to understanding our responsibility to society through service and civic engagement. How does your own story intersect with these ideals?

    250 wordsCommunity

More About You

Required of all applicants

Please respond to each question in 50 words or fewer. There are no right or wrong answers. Be yourself!

  1. 05

    What is a new skill you would like to learn in college?

    50 wordsShort answers

  2. 06

    What brings you joy?

    50 wordsShort answers

  3. 07

    What song represents the soundtrack of your life at this moment?

    50 wordsShort answers

What these prompts are really asking

One line per prompt type, from our supplemental essay guide.

Why us
Have you done real research, and can you connect it to your actual path?
Community
How do you define community, and how will you behave in ours?
Short answers
Can you be precise, human and specific without trying to sound profound?
Background and identity
What lived detail shapes your perspective, choices or contribution?

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Common Questions

How many supplemental essays does Princeton University require for 2026-27?

All first-year applicants answer 5 common prompts. Depending on how or where you apply, you may also have prompts for: A.B. Degree Applicants or Those Who Are Undecided; B.S.E Degree Applicants. This page lists 7 prompts in all, including choices and optional prompts.

What are the word limits for Princeton's supplemental essays?

250 words, 400 to 500 words, 50 words. Each prompt above shows its own limit as the college states it.

Which application does Princeton University use?

Common App.

Where are these prompts from?

We copied them word for word from Princeton Admission: Princeton-specific Questions and last checked on September 26, 2026. The prompts inside your application portal are the final word.

Sources, last checked September 26, 2026

Prompts for other colleges

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