Admit rate drops again, to 9.25%

Getting into Princeton continues to get harder: The University has offered admission to 1,976 students, a record-low 9.25 percent of the 21,369 applicants for the Class of 2012.

“Our admit rate this year was the most selective in Princeton’s history,” said Dean of Admission Janet Rapelye. “We faced tougher decisions than we have ever had to make.

This year’s admission process has been watched closely to determine the impact of Princeton’s move to a single application deadline, giving up its early-admission program.

“The size and strength of the pool was quite reassuring,” Rapelye said. About 7,000 applicants had a cumulative 4.0 GPA; about 11,000 had a combined score of 2100 or higher on the SAT.

Some facts about those admitted:

• Reflecting a jump in the number of female applicants, an equal number of men and women have been admitted for the first time in Princeton’s history.

• The number of legacies is “virtually the same” as last year, when 214 were admitted, Rapelye said. “We had an incredibly strong group of [legacy] candidates,” she said.

• The proportion of U.S. minority students increased slightly from last year, to 44.8 percent; the percentage of international students decreased slightly, to 10.2 percent.

• The wait list has been increased to 1,526. “We don’t know how the yield will be affected by the end of early decision, so we may have an opportunity to use the wait list,” Rapelye said.

• About 52 percent received offers of need-based financial aid.

The University expects to enroll about 1,240 students in the incoming freshman class. Students have until May 1 to make their decision.

By W.R.O.