Princeton is providing outstanding financial aid for us – it was easily the cheapest of our options. Without getting into specifics, our household income is more than twice the national median, but we’re paying only for room and board – tuition is completely covered.
We haven’t had much direct interaction with the FA office, other than when we reported some outside scholarships that my kid had received. The university promptly eliminated my kid’s summer earnings contributions and work study obligation. The interactions, all by email, were brief but courteous, and the responses to our questions were quick.
I second TigerInWinter’s experience in dealing with Pton’s FA office. I sent an email asking how the package S received would be affected when his older sibling graduates from college. Heard back within a couple of hours. The office also told us they would factor in any contribution to graduate school for older S as part of younger S’s FA package. This is something I hadn’t realized. I thought only undergrad expenses would be considered. At any rate, I feel we have a clear picture of what to expect.
@KevinFromOC if Princeton is something your daughter wants, I would contact the FA office again and perhaps ask for some clarification about how they calculated your expected contribution. Or better yet, have her contact them and plead her case
I tried to join the Princeton Parents FB page and was informed that I could not join until my daughter matriculates and has a Princeton email address. We are in a unique situation where normally we would have had the opportunity to meet, talk and ask questions of other parents and staff but can not now. It would be nice to have a place to go for this. My son went to Princeton in 2009 and I was so excited to have met other parents prior to freshman year.
I had to wait until it was confirmed that my son was indeed a Princeton student. It’s my understanding, however, that since your son went to Princeton in 2009, that should qualify you to join the parents group. The parent group page isn’t just for the current students, so you’d need to inform the adm of this fact. I think the adm then checks the alumni database to confirm. It should take about a week, as that was how long it took me to join the group.
Lots of useful information, mostly. From there I learned of some opportunities, e.g., internships, and deadlines, events taking place, etc. Lots of photos and video links are shared, too – some may be of interest to me, some may not. PU also makes significant announcements on that group page, and that can be very helpful. With the Covid-19, parent discussions have been rather dominated by the subject recently.
@Sarrip thank you for the info. I tried to join weeks ago and hadn’t heard anything. I agree that it would be helpful during covid19 to join as we have not been able to set foot on campus. My D did join the FB class of 2024 group and has made friends there. She’s so excited to attend in the fall. I hope all the kids can.
@neonpinklime - I followed the suggestion of @TiggerDad and messaged an admin for the group and they got back to me within minutes and informed me that they would approve my pending request within a day or so. I am also very excited for them and hope that they can attend and have a real first year experience. At any rate I’m happy that decisions are over for them and they can turn the page to the next chapter which is still quite a mystery.
@Sarrip I’m glad u are able to get in since your son is an alum. If you could maybe put in a word for Princeton 2024 parents who are waiting to join? I understand their policy, however perhaps the rules could be relaxed a bit given the pandemic circumstances? Thank you again for the information. Stay safe and well.
@neonpinklime - yes, I did ask them to reconsider due to current circumstances and they stated that they would consider the matter. Hopefully they will.
TiggerDad, or anyone else here: there are some websites that suggest that it could help to ask for a second interview if you are on the waitlist. Do you think that could help with Princeton, or could it be too pushy? Didn’t see much activity on the waitlist forum so I’m posting here…
First, there’s a very slim chance of being admitted off the waitlist, as Princeton is one of the schools with very low admissions rate off the waitlist compare to others, if they do at all. It also varies from year to year, particularly for this year due to all the uncertainties surrounding Covid-19.
Secondly, the admission interview in itself doesn’t impact the chances much in the overall admissions scheme of things, so asking for a second interview can be a double-edged sword: it could be annoying or it could actually express your interest to get off the waitlist. However, neither point should be taken in any significant degree of consideration on your part.
If you do want to ask for another interview, my suggestion is to only do so if you happen to have any issues with the interviewer during the first interview. If not, then I wouldn’t. Instead, it’s more helpful to your cause by showing your intent and interest by submitting any significant updated information.
I do alumni interviews for Princeton, and I agree that you shouldn’t ask for another interview unless there was a serious problem with the first one. Even then, I doubt the university would grant a second interview at this point, and in any event (as TiggerDad noted) the interviews don’t carry a ton of weight anyway.
Yes we were told no financial aid. We both work as professionals. Nothing fancy. General pediatrician and an engineer but we are still above the cut off for qualifying. So zero aid unless a college offers merit-based. Which we did take. We have 3 children who will go to college and likely graduate school. Could easily total over 1 million if we go private.
@tpaparent , how many of the 3 are in college? We didn’t qualify for FA when my son went to college, but am now since my daughter is class of 2024. Yeah, I expect the $ to go back up again when my son graduates.
