WWS Major

[DLithium]

Hi all, I’m interested in applying to Princeton this coming fall, and I’m wondering if Princeton has separate schools like how UPenn has Wharton, CAS, Nursing. I’m also interested in public policy, but Princeton lists this as Woodrow Wilson School, so is this considered a major or a school when applying as a freshman? If it’s considered a major, and I declare it as my major, would it affect my admission chances considering that its a popular major? Thank you!

[psywar]

@DLithium Google is your friend: http://wws.princeton.edu/undergraduate-academics/majoring-wws

WWS is both a school and a major (BTW - Princeton calls their majors “concentrations”).

Princeton asks what you intend to study, but admits you to Princeton and once admitted, you can change your mind and study whatever you want.

As for choosing WWS and will it affect your admissions chances, Princeton says it will not. Here is the former dean of admissions in an article from The NY Times: https://thechoice.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/09/25/guidance-office-princeton-answers-2/comment-page-1/?_r=0

Strategically Choosing a Major
Q.
How important is the applicant’s choice of major to the admissions process at highly competitive schools? For example, is it harder to get into Princeton as a potential psychology major than a potential physics major? If the applicant wants to go to medical school, is he more likely to be accepted if he expresses an interest in a relatively unpopular major (let’s say chemistry) compared to a popular major (let’s say biology)? Obviously, the applicant has to be interested in the major and likely to do well.

— Scott

A.
At Princeton, the major you choose does not have an impact on our admission decision. During the admission process we ask students to indicate their possible major (we call them concentrations), as well as subjects that might be of interest in certificate programs, which are to some extent comparable to minors in other universities. These choices are not considered binding, however, which is clearly stated on the Princeton application. The only exception is for students who indicate that they will be applying to the bachelor’s program in the arts or in science and engineering. Within those two programs, they are encouraged to explore the academic offerings until they declare their majors after either their freshman year in science and engineering or their sophomore year in the bachelor of arts program.

…

One reason the choice of a concentration has little bearing at Princeton is that most of our students change their minds after they begin taking classes. About 70 percent of our students graduate in a major different from the one they indicated on their admission application. We think this is exactly the right approach. We expect that students will explore their intellectual interests, and we want them to follow their passions, wherever they may lead them.

Also, Princeton answers this question in one of their FAQs in their admissions site: https://admission.princeton.edu/faqs#application-process

Will my choice in course of study affect my chance for admission?

On the application we ask you to indicate the degree program (A.B., B.S.E. or undecided) and the departments that most interest you. These choices don’t affect your chances for admission, nor do they commit you to a particular course of study. We look closely at the math and science background of students interested in the B.S.E. program, and we consider every applicant’s abilities across the academic subjects. Princeton engineering students choose a field of concentration (major) after one year and liberal-arts students after two years. More than 70 percent of our undergraduates are majoring in fields different from those they indicated when they applied.

All that said, I do wonder if all your essays, ECs, scores and grades show a clear interest and aptitude in something completely polar-opposite to what you put down on your application, if that would raise eyebrows to adcoms.

In the end, if you love Public Policy, you should indicate this is what you want to study and roll the dice. Trying to game the system with sub-6% admit rate isn’t going to help.

Good luck,
Psy