Meet Princeton!

Meet Irene Kim and Felicia Wijaya, two sophomores who chose their own unique paths to Princeton. In this episode, Irene shares her immersive Bridge Year experience in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, while Felicia reflects on her journey from her hometown of Jakarta. Together, they discuss the transition from high school to college and how global perspectives shape their academic goals in sociology and math. About "Meet Princeton!" Host: Sydney Spector '24, admission officer Producer: Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications, Office of Admission Editor/Sound Engineer: Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions Logo Design: Esteban Aguas '19 The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman '24

In this episode, "Meet Princeton!" host Esteban Aguas '19 speaks with his colleague Elysia Garza, assistant director of admission, about the fall travel season in the world of college admission. Join the conversation as they discuss why admission officers travel every year, explain the various types of visits they participate in, and offer tips for students when meeting with officers on the road so that they can feel prepared and empowered.

In this episode, "Meet Princeton!" host Esteban Aguas '19 leads his new podcast collaborator and fellow admission officer Sydney Spector '24 in a game of friendly trivia competition against Orange Key Tour Guide Rohan Sykora '27. Rohan is a rising junior from Pittsburg, PA, majoring in economics with a minor in computer science. On campus, he serves as a guide for Orange Key—a long-standing, student-led organization at Princeton that has been welcoming visitors and offering campus tours since 1935. Play along as Sydney and Rohan answer trivia questions related to the University's history, traditions and undergraduate experience and see if you are smarter than an Orange Key Tour Guide!

It's 2025 and the podcast is BACK! In this episode, host Esteban Aguas '19 speaks with Justin Parsons, associate dean for international recruitment, about the similarities and differences in the Princeton application process for international students. Join the conversation as they discuss trends for international recruitment and admission in a post-Covid landscape and offer parting advice for international sophomores and juniors as they prepare to apply. About "Meet Princeton!" Host: Esteban Aguas '19, assistant dean of admission Producers: Esteban Aguas and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications, Office of Admission Editor/Sound Engineer: Nick Donnoli, Orangebox Productions Sound Engineer: Molly Trueman '24 Logo Design: Esteban Aguas The theme music to our podcast was created by Molly Trueman '24

For his inaugural podcast episode, new "Meet Princeton!" host Esteban Aguas '19, assistant dean of admission, speaks with Allen Nieva '26 and Sukaina Shivji '26 about their experiences being admitted to Princeton through the QuestBridge National College Match. QuestBridge is a national nonprofit whose goal is to connect lower-income and first-generation students with partner colleges and universities throughout the country. Since 2006, Princeton's partnership with QuestBridge has allowed the University to reaffirm its commitment to providing a top-quality education to students from a wide range of socioeconomic backgrounds. In that time, Princeton has "matched" with hundreds of scholars. We invite you to join the conversation to hear the students' stories and learn how Princeton supports first-generation and lower income students on our campus. About "Meet Princeton!" Host: Esteban Aguas '19, assistant dean of admission Producers: Esteban Aguas and Mary Buckley, associate dean, strategic communications,…

Co-host Bryant Blount '08 talks to the Ford Family Director of Athletics John Mack '00 about his return to Princeton, how being an athlete shaped his own life as an award-winning student-athlete, and how intentional listening is foundational to shaping Princeton teams. Join the conversation to learn how Princeton is unique in offering a well-rounded student experience for its athletes. About John Mack '00 John Mack '00 has been the Ford Family Director of Athletics at Princeton University since September of 2021 after previously having been an award-winning student-athlete, coach and administrator for the Tigers. Mack returned to Princeton as the AD after having worked in the athletic departments at Princeton, the Big Ten Conference and Northwestern University, and he had most recently spent the last decade in the legal field as a practicing lawyer after graduating in 2014 from Northwestern Law School with cum laude honors. Mack's accomplishments while in law school included being Associate Editor of…

How might your Princeton Journey begin? The Novogratz Bridge Year Program is a nine-month tuition-free global service learning program in one of six different countries for newly admitted undergraduate students. From a suburb of Detroit to India and from Morristown, New Jersey, to Senegal, Leila Owens and Nicole Williams — both class of 2023 — tell us about their amazing experiences abroad teaching and working with an NGO, about favorite foods and changing perspectives and how they transitioned back to campus at Princeton.

In this special episode, we are joined by Princeton Class of 2019 graduate Jordan Salama who wrote his senior thesis about the people and places along Colombia's main river, the Magdalena. After graduation, he expanded his thesis into the celebrated nonfiction book "Every Day the River Changes: Four Weeks Down the Magdalena," which has been selected as this year's Pre-read. The book will inspire first-years to imagine the many ways to pursue their passions while at Princeton. He is interviewed by admission officer and classmate Emma Parish of the Great Class of 2021. About Jordan Salama: Jordan Salama is a writer for National Geographic whose essays and stories also appear regularly in the New York Times and other publications. His first book, "Every Day the River Changes," was published in 2021 and named one of Kirkus Reviews' top books of the year. Follow him on Instagram: @jordansalama19.

Welcome to another academic year and a new season of "Meet Princeton!" Today, we have a very special episode. Service is core to Princeton's mission. In fact, the University's unofficial motto is "In the Nation's Service and the Service of Humanity." So, instead of hearing from Vivian and Bryant, we hand the mic over to two student correspondents in the John H. Pace Jr. '39 Center for Civic Engagement: Christine Shin '25 and Isabella Gomes '25. Christine and Isabella share a bit about how why they became involved in the Pace Center and interview two student-volunteers Ana Blanco '23 and Hannah Bein '22, each of whom pursue significant service work that aligns with their academic and extracurricular interests. We'd like to thank Gianna Melchionda '24 and Savannah Pobre '23 for their help in producing the episode, along with Gwen McNamara, assistant director for communications, Pace Center, for her partnership on the project.

Alex Bustin '08, senior associate dean, director of transfer, military, and international admission, joins host Vivian Slee to discuss the University's announcement to grow its transfer population from 40 currently enrolled students to approximately 100. And from the archives, a conversation with one transfer undergraduate student, Beianka Tomlinson, on choosing Princeton and her internship experience as a premedical student. View the transcript. About Alex Bustin '08 Alex Bustin is Senior Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admission and Director of Transfer, International, and Military/Veteran Admission at Princeton University. Originally from New Jersey, he grew up in Belgium before relocating back to his home state, and receiving his A.B. in chemistry from Princeton University, followed by his master of education from Harvard University. He has worked in Princeton's Office of Admission since 2009, and has served as primary coordinator of recruitment and admission for transfer and military/veteran students…

On this Veterans Day, we share with you Kaller Roemer's story. A U.S. Army veteran and member of Princeton's Class of 2023, Kaller talks about his winding path to the armed forces, family support and how he focused in on Princeton. His interview marks our fourth episode of season two and our final one for the semester. We hope you are inspired by Kaller's story and others. Thanks for listening. About Kaller Roemer: Kaller Roemer '23 is president of both Princeton Student Veterans and the Ivy League Veterans Council. Before coming to Princeton, he served in the U.S. Army as an Infantryman with the 10th Mountain Division and deployed to Iraq as a Fire-Team Leader. He is studying Political Economy and Entrepreneurship and is involved with the Princeton Entrepreneurship Club and the Princeton Golf Club. Kaller is excited to continue to advocate for veteran representation in academia and provide resources for enlisted student-veterans entering their professional career. Kaller is interested in pursuing a career…

What does it take to be a leader? Christian Potter '22 thought about this a fair amount during the last few years. It wasn't until he stepped into the role of president of Undergraduate Student Government (USG) during a pandemic that he truly understood the qualities needed to get the job done. Tune in to learn about Christian's year of leading, listening and learning. About Christian Potter '22 Christian is a senior from the Washington, D.C., area concentrating in the School of Public and International Affairs. He is a Peer Academic Advisor in Mathey College, a member of the club tennis team, and an undergraduate fellow of the Center for International Security Studies. He also serves as the President of the Undergraduate Student Government and recently joined Orange Key. View the transcript. Show Notes: Peer Academic Adviser Mathey College Residential College Adviser (RCA) Zee Group School of Public and International Affairs The Precept System Undergraduate Student Government McGraw Center for Teaching and…

It's National Transfer Student Week! In this episode, we hear from Alejandro Garcia, a member of the Class of 2022, about the many factors he considered in determining his educational path and how a service-focused curriculum has shaped his Princeton experience. But first, Dr. Keith Shaw, director of transfer, veteran and non-traditional student programs in the Emma Bloomberg Center for Access and Opportunity, offers an overview of the support and resources available to transfer students and his own advising role within the programs. Princeton's Transfer program, which was reinstated in 2018, looks for a small group of exceptionally well-prepared students from a range of backgrounds, and we particularly encourage applications from students from low-income backgrounds, community college students, and U.S. military veterans. About Alejandro Garcia '22 Alejandro Garcia is a politics concentrator pursuing certificates in Latin American studies and American studies at Princeton University. As a member of the…

Welcome back! We're excited to roll out our next season of the admission podcast "Meet Princeton!" In celebration of the new school year, we invite two very special guests to the show. Jill Dolan, dean of the college, and W. Rochelle Calhoun, vice president for campus life, are responsible for shaping the academic and social experiences at Princeton. They sit down in conversation to discuss the challenges—and opportunities—in the year ahead. Jill Dolan is the senior officer responsible for Princeton's undergraduate academic program. All matters relating to the curriculum, academic advising, academic regulations and scholastic standing fall under her aegis. Dean Dolan also oversees the Offices of Admission and Undergraduate Financial Aid, the Registrar, the Office of International Programs, the Program in Teacher Preparation, the Princeton Writing Program, the Princeton University Preparatory Program, the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning, the Freshman Scholars Institute, the Program of Freshman…

May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and we'd like to use this podcast to share the ways in which students can support their health and wellbeing at Princeton. We are joined by Allen Liu '22, an operations research and financial engineering concentrator and founder of the Undergraduate Student Government Mental Health Task Force. Allen talks about navigating the stressful moments of college, why he decided to seek professional counseling, and the ways in which the task force has made services more accessible to all. Dr. Calvin Chin, director of counseling and psychological services, starts the episode with information about the free mental health services available to students at Princeton, as well as the many support resources in place at the University. Have a question for the Admission Office? Submit one to our mailbag. We will answer a few on air. (We'll only mention your first name and hometown!) About "Meet Princeton!" Co-Hosts: Vivian Slee, senior assistant dean of admission, and Bryant Blount '08,…

We meet again in 2021 with a very special two-segment interview. Dean Slee and Dean Blount sit down with Claire Wayner '22, a civil and environmental engineering concentrator from the Baltimore area, to discuss engineering at Princeton, her passion for sustainability and finding her fellow "bird nerds" on campus. But first, Dean Blount is joined by Claire White, associate professor of civil and environmental engineering and the Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment, to discuss her love of teaching undergraduates "who strive to make the world a better place." View the transcript. Show Notes: Chemical and Biological Engineering (CBE) Civil and Environmental Engineering Wintersession Andlinger Center for Energy and the Environment Professor Claire White School of Engineering and Applied Science Academic Advising Independent Study The Senior Thesis Environmental studies Sustainable Energy Office of Sustainability Birding Society JRN 240 / CWR 240: Creative Nonfiction with Professor John McPhee Team…

In our 4th and final episode of 2020, we drop in on a conversation between Karen Richardson '93, dean of admission, and Matt Alander, director of admission. Longtime admission professionals and colleagues, Dean Richardson and Matt cover many admission-related topics including the Princeton supplement, in addition to what's on their music playlist this reading cycle. Plus, a few current undergraduates call in to respond to our simple yet personal question: "Why Princeton?" View the Transcript Show Notes: Distribution Requirements Liberal Arts Degrees & Departments Orange Bubble Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students Dean Richardson's blog Changes to Princeton application cycle for 2020-21 The Princeton Supplement Pace Center for Civic Engagement Broadway Playlist on Spotify The Met Museum Cloisters Department of Politics (Dean Richardson's concentration) The Senior Thesis Study Abroad Novogratz Bridge Year Frist Campus Center 'A New Museum for Princeton' Two New Residential Colleges, completed in summer…

Douglas Robins ʼ23, from Baton Rouge, Louisiana, talks about University access and support on episode three of our "Meet Princeton!" podcast. From a class with Eddie Glaude, Jr., the James S. McDonnell Distinguished University Professor and chair of the Department of African American Studies, to his very first encounter with a Princeton alumnus, who is a member of the Great Class of 1963, Douglas reflects on some of the more memorable moments he's had thus far. This podcast is a production of the Princeton University Office of Admission. The opinions expressed herein represent the views of the individuals involved, not those of the University. View the transcript. Show Notes: Financial Aid Estimator No-Loan Financial Aid Policy Cost of Attendance SIFP (Scholars Institute Fellows Program) Study Abroad Bryant's recommended sourdough bread recipe and baking guide from "Lemons and Anchovies," blog adapted from Ken Forkish's book "Flour Water Salt Yeast" Annual Giving Fund ASC (Alumni Schools Committee)…

In episode 2, we meet with Gabriel Duguay '22 to discuss community on campus from student-run clubs to a meal with friends in one of the residential college dining halls. In addition to participating in debate panel and the scramble band, Gab, a native of Truro, Nova Scotia, Canada, is the founder of the Princeton Indigenous Advocacy Coalition and serves as a member of the Provost's Priorities Committee. We also sit down with Momo Wolapaye, director of student life at Whitman College, one of Princeton's six residential colleges, to talk about his role in helping students acclimate to campus life. View the transcript. Show Notes: Princeton University Band Momo Wolapaye, Director of Student Life, Whitman College Residential Colleges Office of the Provost Priorities Committee Residential College Advisers (RCAs) Clash of the Colleges Community Action Davis International Center Office of Disability Services The Writing Center McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning 'Zee' Group Butler College James Madison Program…

In our first episode of "Meet Princeton!" Morgan Smith '21, a concentrator in the School of Public and International Affairs from the Los Angeles area, shares her story about discovering a love for politics and civic engagement. Morgan talks about the Princeton initiative "Vote100" and the moment she discovered "that Princeton magic." Co-hosts Vivian Slee, senior assistant dean of admission, and Bryant Blount '08, assistant dean of undergraduate students, sit down to talk about their interview with Morgan and to contextualize the many programs she references. Plus, our very own Dean of Admission Karen Richardson gives some advice to class of 2025 applicants. Show Notes: How to Apply Programs of Study No Loans Financial Aid Policy ODUS (Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students) Student Life SPIA: Princeton School of Public and International Affairs Certificates in African American Studies (AAS) Whig-Clio (American Whig-Cliosophic Debate Society): Vote 100 Black Arts Dance Company Pre-health Advising at…