Is Princeton engineering easier to get into than another science major?

midatlmom
Wed, 21 Oct 2015 15:10:39 +0000

Princeton does not admit by major, although it does consider whether you have put down a preference for a BSE or a BA. Here’s what the website says:

“We ask you to tell us on the application which degree program you may be most interested in following: A.B. (liberal arts), B.S.E. (engineering) or undecided. We look closely at the math and science preparation of students considering engineering studies. However, students apply to the freshman class of Princeton University, not to the engineering or liberal arts programs, and are not locked into a degree program (or a specific department within that degree program) upon admission. Students in the engineering school choose a concentration (major) by the end of the first year; liberal arts students have two years to choose a concentration.”

That means that Princeton understands that students can change their majors prior to entering the school. Thus, while there might be a very small bump for females interested in engineering, it will probably not be as large as at school where such a choice is more binding. Moreover, 41% of all students in the freshman engineering class at Princeton are females - once again, this is relatively high and I don’t think that the school is hurting for female engineering applicants.