Apply to the university, choose a department later
Princeton says students apply to the university, not to departments, and engineers choose one of six engineering departments at the end of the first year.
Undergraduate · Princeton
Princeton Chemical and Biological Engineering: a BSE department chosen after year one
Princeton does not admit students to Chemical and Biological Engineering: students apply to the university, and engineers choose one of six engineering departments at the end of the first year. The CBE department describes foundational BSE courses, the CBE Core, one of six areas of concentration and a year-long senior thesis, and says every CBE student graduates with a BSE. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are what the department contains, how it is reached and what Princeton requires, including the SAT or ACT. This guide claims no direct admission to CBE.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Princeton says about Princeton Chemical and Biological Engineering
Taken from Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering's Path to Graduation page, read on 31 October 2026. The pages carry no entry-year label, so for a 2028-entry application every statement below is evidence for the previous cycle and may change; check Princeton's pages for the 2028-entry details.
A BSE with a senior thesis
Every CBE student graduates with a BSE and completes a year-long independent senior thesis.
Six areas of concentration
Students choose one of six areas, from bioengineering to computation, data science and AI/ML, to organise their electives.
ABET accreditation
The department's Chemical Engineering programme is accredited by ABET.
SAT or ACT required
Princeton says it will return to requiring standardized testing and that first-year applicants will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
Official sources
- Princeton Admission: Academicsadmission.princeton.edu
- Princeton Chemical and Biological Engineering: Path to Graduationcbe.princeton.edu
- Princeton Admission: Standardized Testingadmission.princeton.edu
Read on 31 October 2026 on Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages and the Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering's Path to Graduation page, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Princeton's Undergraduate Announcement, the CBE Undergraduate Handbook, the elective lists for each concentration, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The department
What CBE says the path looks like
The department outlines a path that starts with foundational courses required of all BSE students, moves to the CBE Core for theory and experimentation, then an area of concentration to organise electives, and ends with a senior thesis. A sample first year includes calculus, physics and chemistry. Roughly 80 percent of CBE students add a minor or certificate. This guide did not read the Undergraduate Handbook.
Is it the right department?
CBE, ORFE or Computer Science
Princeton describes each as separate, so the choice is made after the first year. Avandy's comparison is general.
CBE fits if
you want chemistry and biology applied through engineering, with a concentration of your choice.
ORFE fits if
you want a quantitative engineering route. Avandy's Princeton ORFE guide covers it.
Computer Science fits if
your interest is computing. Avandy's Princeton Computer Science guide covers it.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT, and your school record
Princeton says it will return to requiring standardized testing and that first-year applicants will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores. For international applicants, the academic record should include internal grades and achieved marks from external exams, for example British A-Level or the International Baccalaureate, with predicted or achieved results sent by the school official. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Princeton's.
Do you enjoy chemistry, physics and calculus together?
A sample first year combines all three.
Which concentration would you choose?
There are six.
Are you ready to choose a department after year one?
Engineers choose at the end of their first year.
Planning for 2028 entry
Planning for 2028 entry: what carries over and what is awaiting publication
Princeton's pages carry no entry-year label, so nothing on them is confirmed for 2028 entry. Use them to understand the structure of the application, then check Princeton's own pages for the 2028-entry details.
The requirements and descriptions on the pages read on 31 October 2026, which carry no entry-year label
These are the best guide to what to prepare. Princeton has not confirmed them for 2028 entry.
Deadlines, fees, financial aid and any department prerequisites not quoted here: not stated
This guide has not read them. Check Princeton for the values that apply to your application year.
What to do now
Read the CBE Path to Graduation page and plan the SAT or ACT.
Support
Independent support with planning your own application
Avandy provides independent academic and admissions support. It is not affiliated with Princeton University or any of its colleges or departments. Preparation sits within the Avandy Trinity Advisory Model: a Strategic Admissions Consultant, a PhD-level Academic Mentor and a Subject-specific Tutor, working to the actual requirements of each course. Support here is limited to understanding the requirements and planning the applicant's own work; Avandy does not write or edit essays, does not submit any materials and has no partnership with Princeton University. No outcome is promised.
Questions
Questions applicants ask
Can I apply directly to Princeton CBE?
No. Princeton says students apply to the university, not to individual departments, programs or schools.
When do engineers choose a department?
At the end of their first year.
How many areas of concentration are there?
Six, including Bioengineering & Biotechnology and Computation, Data Science & AI/ML.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Princeton says it will return to requiring standardized testing and first-year applicants will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
How should an A-level or IB student present results?
Princeton says the academic record should include internal grades and marks from external exams such as British A-Level or the IB.
Are these the rules for 2028 entry?
No. They are Princeton's wording with no entry-year label. Check Princeton's pages again when Princeton publishes its 2028-entry requirements.
Students and families
Talk to us about Princeton Chemical and Biological Engineering
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their chemistry, physics and mathematics, which concentration appeals and their SAT or ACT plan, the universities on the list, and the intended year of entry. A senior adviser will review the academic profile before recommending how to prepare.