Apply to the university, declare later
Princeton says students apply to the university, not to schools, and A.B. students choose a major in the spring of sophomore year.
Undergraduate · Princeton
Princeton SPIA: a policy major you declare after you arrive
Princeton does not admit students to the School of Public and International Affairs. Students apply to the university and, as A.B. students, choose a major in the spring of sophomore year; SPIA is one of the concentrations the A.B. includes. The school describes a multidisciplinary liberal arts major with a list of requirements that include a regional focus, independent work, a senior comprehensive examination and a cross-cultural or field experience. For an A-level or IB applicant, the questions are what the major is, how it is entered and what Princeton requires, including SAT or ACT for fall 2028. This guide claims no direct admission to SPIA.
Official information · read 31 October 2026, no entry-year label
What Princeton says about Princeton SPIA
Taken from Princeton Admission's Academics, Standardized Testing and International Students pages and the School of Public and International Affairs' undergraduate pages, 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 multidisciplinary liberal arts major
SPIA describes breadth and depth across disciplinary or thematic areas, aimed at students interested in public service.
A long requirement list
The curriculum page lists prerequisites, core courses, electives, a regional focus, independent work, a senior comprehensive examination, study abroad and a cross-cultural or field experience.
Every senior writes a thesis or does a project
Princeton says every senior writes a thesis or, in some engineering departments, a substantial independent project.
SAT or ACT for fall 2028
Princeton says first-year applicants seeking to enrol in fall 2028 will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores.
Official sources
- Princeton Admission: Academicsadmission.princeton.edu
- Princeton SPIA: Undergraduate Program and Curriculum and Requirementsspia.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 School of Public and International Affairs' undergraduate pages, which describes 2027 entry. The pages carry no entry-year label. Princeton's Undergraduate Announcement, the SPIA prerequisite and core course pages, the declaration steps, deadlines and financial aid were not read and are not stated.
The major
What SPIA says its major is
SPIA describes a multidisciplinary liberal arts major for students interested in public service and public and international affairs, structured for disciplinary breadth and intellectual depth. Requirements are set by graduating class year and, for the Classes of 2028 and beyond, include the headings listed above. This guide did not read the detail beneath those headings, so it names no courses. Students who wish to concentrate follow the steps on the Concentration Declaration website.
Is it the right major?
SPIA, a single-discipline major or a UK degree
Princeton describes each as separate and the choice is made after admission. Avandy's comparison is general.
SPIA fits if
you want to study policy problems across economics, politics and other disciplines and finish with a field or cross-cultural experience.
A single-discipline major fits if
you want deeper methods in economics, politics or another department. Princeton lists 37 majors.
A UK Politics or IR degree fits if
you already know the subject: UK courses admit you to it; Princeton admits you to the university.
Admission and testing
SAT or ACT for fall 2028, and your school record
Princeton says first-year applicants seeking to enrol in fall 2028 will need to submit either SAT or ACT scores. International applicants should present 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 want a policy-facing major?
SPIA's requirements include a regional focus and a field experience.
Are you ready to declare in sophomore spring?
A.B. students choose a major then.
Can you plan the SAT or ACT with your A levels or IB?
Princeton says one is needed for fall 2028.
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 SPIA curriculum 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 SPIA?
No. Princeton says students apply to the university, not to individual departments, programs or schools.
When do students choose SPIA?
Princeton says A.B. students choose a major in the spring of their sophomore year.
What does the major include?
The curriculum page lists prerequisites, core courses, electives, a regional focus, independent work, a senior comprehensive examination, study abroad and a cross-cultural or field experience.
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.
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 SPIA
Tell us about the student's curriculum, their interest in public policy, how they would plan the A.B. 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.