A department entered after arrival
Princeton says students apply to the University, not to departments, and A.B. students choose a major in the spring of the sophomore year.
Undergraduate · Princeton
Princeton Chemistry: prerequisites, laboratory work and a research thesis
Princeton admits students to the University, not to a department, and Chemistry is one of the A.B. majors they can choose once enrolled. The Undergraduate Announcement for 2026-2027 sets out prerequisites in general chemistry, calculus, physics and organic chemistry, a core of organic, physical and inorganic chemistry with a laboratory course, and four semesters of independent research. This guide explains that documented structure for current students. It does not present it as a confirmed requirement for 2028 entrants, and makes no claim of a separate application to the major.
Official information · read 1 November 2026, no entry-year label
What Princeton says about Princeton Chemistry
Taken from the Chemistry entry in the Princeton Undergraduate Announcement 2026-2027, Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages, read on 1 November 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.
Four prerequisite strands
General chemistry, calculus, a year of general physics and a year of organic chemistry taken at Princeton by the end of sophomore year.
Organic, physical and inorganic core
At least one term of each, plus one experimental laboratory course completed by the end of junior year.
Four semesters of independent work
CHM 397-398 in junior year and CHM 498-499 in senior year, ending in a written thesis and an oral presentation.
A senior thesis or independent project
Princeton says every senior writes a thesis or, in some engineering departments, undertakes a substantial independent project.
The SAT or ACT is required
Princeton says fall 2028 first-year applicants need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
Official sources
- Princeton Admission: Academicsadmission.princeton.edu
- Princeton Undergraduate Announcement 2026-2027: Chemistryua.princeton.edu
- Princeton Admission: Standardized Testingadmission.princeton.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Chemistry entry in the Princeton Undergraduate Announcement 2026-2027, Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Princeton's department website, the full course descriptions, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The department
What the Announcement says the major requires
The Announcement describes chemistry as the central science and the major as flexible enough for graduate study, premedical preparation or teaching. Students take eight departmental courses: four core courses and four cognates. The core includes three 300- or 400-level chemistry courses covering organic, physical and inorganic chemistry, and one term of experimental laboratory instruction. The cognates can be chemistry or a related scientific area such as molecular biology, engineering, materials science, computer science, mathematics or physics. The Announcement notes that students aiming at American Chemical Society certification take further analytical, biochemical and experimental courses. This guide did not read the course descriptions or the departmental website.
Is it the right department?
Chemistry beside Chemical and Biological Engineering
Princeton describes these separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Chemistry fits if
you want chemical principles, mechanisms and laboratory research as the subject, with the A.B. degree's thesis.
Chemical and Biological Engineering fits if
you want chemistry applied to processes and design in an engineering degree. Avandy's Princeton Chemical and Biological Engineering guide covers it.
Neuroscience or biology fits if
the living system is the interest; this guide did not read those pages.
Admission and testing
A Princeton application and the SAT or ACT
Princeton asks for an academic record that includes internal grades and marks from external exams such as A levels or the IB, with predicted or achieved results sent as they become available. It says first-year applicants for fall 2028 will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores. The department is chosen after enrolment, not applied for separately. This guide states no score.
A decision framework
Three questions before you commit
This is Avandy's own framework, not Princeton's.
Are you ready for physics and mathematics as well as chemistry?
The Announcement says an understanding of chemistry requires a thorough background in both.
Does wet-laboratory research appeal?
Every major completes junior and senior independent work and a laboratory course.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Princeton says fall 2028 first-year applicants need to submit one of them.
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 Princeton Undergraduate Announcement 2026-2027 entry for the major, read on 1 November 2026: a documented major structure for current students, not a confirmed requirement for students entering in 2028
Princeton's University-wide admission pages for fall 2028, which set the testing and application rules this guide reports
Anything specific to the major requirements that will apply to 2028 entrants: not published
This guide has not read it. Check the Announcement edition that applies when you enrol.
What to do now
Read the Undergraduate Announcement entry for the major and plan the SAT or ACT alongside your A levels or IB.
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 Chemistry?
No. Princeton says students apply to the University, not to individual departments, programs or schools.
Is organic chemistry required before entering the department?
The Announcement lists a year of organic chemistry (CHM 301 with 302 or 304), to be completed at Princeton by the end of sophomore year.
Is there a laboratory requirement?
Yes. At least one term of experimental laboratory instruction, completed by the end of junior year.
Is there a senior thesis?
Yes. A written thesis from CHM 498-499 research and an oral presentation to faculty.
Do I need the SAT or ACT?
Princeton says first-year applicants seeking to enrol in fall 2028 will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
Do A levels and the IB count?
Princeton asks for marks from external exams such as British A levels or the International Baccalaureate, with predicted or achieved results as they become available.
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 Chemistry
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their chemistry, physics and mathematics, their interest in laboratory research 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.