The goals of Aspire are commendable and truly “modern,” in its most positive and lofty connotation. “Global citizenship,” in particular, is focused on making the world accessible to Princeton students. Important though this goal is, however, in my non-U.S. perspective this is less crucial than making Princeton accessible to world students.  

Does differentiating admission policies based on nationality still make sense in today’s world (as differentiating based on gender, skin color, or religion stopped making sense long ago)? Who should be the beneficiary of Princeton’s impressive endowment? Does Princeton have a role of leadership and service to the United States or to the world? Ultimately, what are the basic principles that our University wants to carry forward?  

I think that we will have to think a lot about these points in the next years and, finally, act accordingly.

(Editor’s note: Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye said her office does not have different policies based on nationality and reviews each application individually.)


Giuliano Caldo ’91