At 7.9%, admission rate is Princeton’s lowest ever

The University offered admission to 2,095 students, or 7.9 percent of the near-record 26,664 applicants for the Class of 2016. Almost 35 percent of the admitted students applied through early action and were notified in December, while the rest learned of their acceptance March 29. The overall admission rate was the lowest ever for Princeton.

More than 10,200 applicants had a 4.0 GPA, and more than 13,900 had combined scores of 2,100 or higher on the three sections of the SAT.

Of the admitted students, 24.4 percent identified themselves as Asian-American; 9.1 percent as African-American; 8.8 percent as Hispanic or Latino; 4.4 percent as multiracial; and less than 1 percent as Native American. Men make up 50.6 percent; women, 49.4 percent. International students are 12.2 percent of those admitted. The University estimated that 60 percent of the incoming freshman class would receive financial aid. 

Children of alumni make up 9.5 percent of the admitted students, compared with 9 percent a year ago. The bridge-year program is expected to enroll 28 students.

The final admission rate for the Class of 2015, including students from the wait list, was 8.5 percent. At Princeton’s peer institutions, the lowest admission rates this year were reported by Harvard at 5.9 percent, Stanford at 6.6 percent, Yale at 6.8 percent, and Columbia at 7.4 percent.

The admitted candidates have until May 1 to accept Princeton’s offer.