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 Physics: core courses, two junior papers and a year-long thesis
Princeton admits students to the University, not to a department, and Physics is one of the A.B. majors they can choose once enrolled. The Undergraduate Announcement for 2026-2027 lists five prerequisite courses, a core of quantum mechanics, thermodynamics and experimental physics, two junior papers and a year-long senior thesis. 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 Physics
Taken from the Physics 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.
Five prerequisite courses
PHY 103-104, PHY 207 and MAT 201-202 or 203-204, normally by the end of sophomore year.
A named core
Quantum mechanics (PHY 208), thermodynamics and statistical mechanics (PHY 301) and experimental physics (PHY 312).
Two junior papers and a thesis
PHY 398 and PHY 399 in junior year, then the senior thesis sequence PHY 498-499.
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: Physicsua.princeton.edu
- Princeton Admission: Standardized Testingadmission.princeton.edu
Read on 1 November 2026 on the Physics 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 a physics major flexible enough for graduate preparation and also for students planning engineering physics, law, medicine, materials science or teaching. After the five prerequisites, majors complete the named core, one course on complex analysis or differential equations, two further physics courses at the 300 level or above, one course in physics or mathematics at that level and one elective, with all eight taken for a letter grade. Independent work is a distinguishing feature: two junior papers on current research topics and a year-long thesis intended to contribute to current research. This guide did not read the departmental website or the course descriptions.
Is it the right department?
Physics beside Astrophysical Sciences and engineering routes
Princeton describes these separately, so the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
Physics fits if
you want the discipline's laws from the quantum to the cosmological as the subject, with theory and experiment both in the core.
Astrophysical Sciences fits if
astronomy and cosmology are the focus. Princeton describes it as a separate department.
Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering fits if
you want physics applied to machines and flight. Avandy's Princeton Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering guide covers it.
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 through multivariable calculus and linear algebra?
MAT 201-202 or 203-204 are listed prerequisites.
Does reading research papers for two junior papers appeal?
The Announcement says the papers immerse students in journal literature.
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 Physics?
No. Princeton says students apply to the University, not to individual departments, programs or schools.
What are the prerequisites?
PHY 103-104, PHY 207 and MAT 201-202 or 203-204, in the Announcement's wording.
Is there an experimental requirement?
Yes. One semester of experimental physics, PHY 312.
How many junior papers are there?
Two, in PHY 398 in the fall and PHY 399 in the spring.
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 Physics
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their mathematics and physics, how they weigh experiment against theory 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.