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When the iconic colours of orange and black are mentioned, one could envision a basketball, a monarch butterfly, or even Nemo, but for those in UC4-SFC2 aspiring to study in the US, it is Princeton University that first comes to mind. On Tuesday 23rd January, we were fortunate enough to welcome Alex Bustin, Senior Associate Dean of Princeton Admissions, to CLC. Originally from New Jersey, Mr Bustin also has roots in the United Kingdom, offering us an insightful introduction to both Princeton University and the American college system. 

After providing a valuable overview of Princeton, Mr Bustin handed the floor to CLC for questions; the Council Room saw a plethora of students raising their hands, their fascination and curiosity provoked. 

Our questions ranged from the Princeton experience to the admissions process: 

 What do you look for in an applicant?

Princeton admissions is a holistic process, meaning that a variety of factors beyond test scores are evaluated. Mr Bustin mentioned some of his own considerations as an admissions officer, which include (1) how the student will participate in the greater Princeton experience, (2) whether the student will make a good roommate, and (3) how the student will contribute to the academic community. He described Princeton’s student body as being united by its collective passion and collaborative environment; prospective students should consider whether this aligns with their own characteristics. 

Would applying for Financial Aid affect my chance at acceptance at all?

Mr Bustin was happy to explain that Princeton admissions are need-blind: financial aid applications are in no way disadvantageous to an applicant’s chances of success. Additionally, Princeton does not offer merit-based scholarships for the purpose of meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need through grants, and described them as fully committed to providing equal opportunity for all. 

Could you explain more about the process leading to entry into Princeton’s Eating Clubs?

As the most unique dining option for Princeton upperclassmen, the mention of Eating Clubs elicited some raised eyebrows from CLC students attending the talk. Nevertheless, Lizzy’s hunger – excuse the pun – to join one of these social organisations exponentially grew as Mr Bustin explained the quirkiness of the Bicker process, which, despite seeming intimidating to our younger students initially, gave us a peek into the dynamic scenes of Eating Clubs. With icebreakers and opportunity for ‘bickerees’ to have formal conversations with current members, the process proved that it could be very selective (although there are also non-selective Eating Clubs). We were intrigued to hear that nearly 70% of Princeton’s undergraduate upperclassmen attended one of the 11 available Eating Clubs, demonstrating their prevalence on campus life. 

What will my life look like after Princeton?

Here, Mr Bustin directed us to think of the people sitting next to us during this very talk: all bearing individualistic world views, cultural experiences, and different upbringings. Like CLC, Princeton is a melting pot of diverse personalities, encouraging students to go beyond their comfort zones, first by listening to and then dissecting the myriad of contrasting perspectives coexisting within campus. In an increasingly polarised world, it was interesting to hear that a Princeton education directs students to carve their own paths and viewpoints, nurturing a sense of independence and leadership that will help them navigate the future and all that it brings.

Natalie and Lizzy (SFC2)