Princeton UniversityStudent Guide

Academic dates, campus language, housing, and student-life references for Princeton University. Free for students.

University in Princeton, NJ. Operating on a semester system.

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Total Enrollment

University

Institution Type

29

Housing Buildings

Student guide · Fall Term 2026

The semester, explained for Princeton University

Dates from the active academic calendar, plus the campus language and local details students actually need. Every entry comes from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Relevant term
Fall Term 2026
Campus terms
28
Local details
13

Academic calendar

Fall Term 2026 runs Aug 1, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026. Calendar aliases that share a date range are grouped together, with every source term still shown.

2 entries
  1. Fall Term 2026Relevant now
  2. Spring Term 2027

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Campus language

Search the full glossary. Nothing is sampled or hidden when the search field is empty.

28 terms

B

Bicker
The multi-day selection process used by selective eating clubs to choose new members.
Butler
Butler College, a residential college known for its mix of mid-century and modern architecture.

C

C-Store
The convenience store located in the Frist Campus Center.
CA
Community Action, a pre-orientation program focused on service and community engagement.

F

First
First College, the residential college formerly known as Wilson College.
Forbes
Forbes College, a residential college located further from the main campus center, known for its tight-knit community.
Forbes Dining
The dining hall located within Forbes College, famous for its Sunday brunch.

H

Hosed
To be rejected from an eating club during the Bicker process, or more generally, to be overwhelmed with work.

L

Late Meal
A credit-based dining option at Frist Campus Center for students on a meal plan during specific afternoon and late-night hours.
Lawnparties
A large-scale concert event held twice a year on the lawns of the eating clubs.

M

Mathey
Mathey College, a residential college known for its Gothic architecture and proximity to Rocky.

N

NCW
New College West, one of the newest residential colleges on the southern edge of campus.

O

OA
Outdoor Action, a popular pre-orientation program involving backpacking and outdoor activities.
ODUS
Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Students, which oversees student life and organizations.
Orange Key
The student organization that provides official campus tours.

P

P-Rade
The traditional parade of alumni through campus during Reunions.
P-Safe
The Department of Public Safety, responsible for campus security and emergency services.
PUP
Princeton University Players, the student-run musical theater group.

R

Rocky
Rockefeller College, one of the six residential colleges located in the northern part of campus.
RoMa
The combined dining hall serving Rockefeller and Mathey Colleges.

S

Sign-in
The non-selective process for joining certain eating clubs on a first-come, first-served basis.

T

The Bubble
The perceived isolation of the Princeton campus from the events and realities of the outside world.
The Prince
The Daily Princetonian, the university's independent student newspaper.
The Street
Prospect Avenue, the location of the university's eleven historic eating clubs where most upperclassmen dine.

U

USG
Undergraduate Student Government, the primary representative body for students.

W

Whitman
Whitman College, a residential college built in the traditional collegiate gothic style.
WuCox
The combined dining hall serving Wu (Butler College) and Wilcox (First College).

Y

Yeh
Yeh College, a newly constructed residential college adjacent to New College West.

Places and practicalities

Buildings, logistics, and other local references drawn from the approved campus snapshot.

13 details
choi_dining_hall_yeh_huo_colleges
Choi Dining Hall (Yeh/Huo Colleges)
Dinky
The two-car train connecting the Princeton campus to the Princeton Junction station for NJ Transit access.
Fine
Fine Hall, the building housing the Mathematics Department, known for its distinct tower.
Firestone
Firestone Library, the university's main research library.
Frist
Frist Campus Center, the central hub for student life, dining, and mail services.
Lewis
Refers to either the Lewis Science Library or the Lewis Center for the Arts.
McCosh
McCosh Hall (classrooms) or McCosh Health Center (medical services), depending on context.
Nassau
Nassau Hall, the oldest building on campus and the primary administrative center.
PawPoints
A currency included in meal plans that can be used at various retail dining locations on campus.
The Dinky
The two-car shuttle train that connects the Princeton campus to the Princeton Junction station.
TigerCard
The official student ID card used for building access, meal plans, and library privileges.
TigerHub
The online portal where students register for classes, check grades, and manage academic records.
TigerTransit
The university's free shuttle bus system that circulates through campus and local areas.

Quick answers

Useful facts students can verify from the guide above.

What academic term is relevant now?
Fall Term 2026 runs Aug 1, 2026 – Dec 22, 2026.
How much campus context is included?
28 approved campus terms and 13 local details are included in full.
Are all approved campus terms included?
Yes. The complete approved glossary is available in the scrollable, searchable campus-language section.
Where does this guide come from?
Calendar dates, campus terms, and local details come from DormWay's approved campus reference library.

Class of 2030 · Princeton University

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  • Major-aligned clubs, pre-professional groups, and research communities.
  • Performing arts, visual arts, student publications, film, and music.
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  • Volunteer groups, civic engagement, mutual aid, and student government.
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Life in Princeton for Princeton University Students

Everything you need to know about living and studying in Princeton.

Timezone

Eastern Time (ET)

Median Rent

$2,000

Cost of Living Index

160

Student Population

8,700

City Transportation

Walkability

60

Bikeability

70

Public Transit

NJ Transit bus, NJ Transit rail (Princeton Branch, Northeast Corridor via Princeton Junction)

Nearest Airports

Trenton-Mercer Airport

Climate Averages

Climate

Humid subtropical

Avg Annual Temp

52°F

Avg Snowfall

24 in

Campus Operations Snapshot

Parking and Transit

Stadium Drive Garage

garage • High (requires permit)

Primary visitor parking; license plate recognition used.

Theater Drive Garage

garage • Available after 4pm/weekends

Open to visitors after 4pm weekdays and all day weekends.

Prospect Ave Garage

garage • Available after 4pm/weekends

Open to visitors after 4pm weekdays and all day weekends.

Upcoming Events

What's happening at Princeton University

Open Studio

July 21, 2026

Art Museum, 136 Creativity Lab

An open studio session at the Art Museum's creativity lab.

NJEDA Innovation Office Hours

July 22, 2026

Online/Office of Innovation

Innovation office hours hosted by the New Jersey Economic Development Authority.

True West

July 23, 2026

Hamilton Murray Theater

Dorms & On-Campus Housing at Princeton University

Various dorm and housing options are available for students.

28 known dorm and housing options. The first 24 are shown below; the rest are available in the expandable list.

1901 Hall

Room types: single, double, triple

1901-Laughlin Hall

Room types: single, double, triple, quad, quint

1903 Hall

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

99 Alexander Street

Room types: not specified

Addy Hall

Butler College

Capacity: 500

Room types: single, double, triple

Campbell Hall

Room types: single, double, quad

Clapp/1927 Hall

Room types: six-person suites

Edwards Hall

Room types: single

Feinberg Hall

Room types: quad, six-person

First College

Capacity: 510

Room types: single, double, suite, large suite (5-11 residents)

Forbes College

Capacity: 450

Room types: single, double, triple

Forbes Main Inn

Room types: single, double

Henry Hall

Room types: single, double, triple, quad

Holder Hall

Room types: single, double, quad

Laughlin Hall

Capacity: 300

Room types: single, double, triple, quad, quint

Lauritzen Hall

Room types: single

Mathey College

Capacity: 400

Room types: single, double, triple

New College West

Capacity: 420

Room types: single, double, triple

Patton Hall

Room types: six-person suite

Pyne Hall

Room types: single

Rockefeller College

Capacity: 480

Room types: single, double, triple

Scully Hall

Room types: single, double, quad

Spelman Hall

Room types: four-bedroom apartments

Show the remaining 4 housing options

Upperclass Apartments

Room types: single

Walker Hall

Room types: single, double, triple, quad, six-person

Whitman College

Capacity: 520

Room types: single, double, triple

Yeh College

Capacity: 460

Room types: single, double, triple

Campus Details

Academic System

Semester

Email Domain

@princetonu.edu

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