Princeton Waitlist Acceptance Rate: Stats and Tips

Princeton University offers waitlist spots to hundreds of hopeful applicants. For the Class of 2028, 1734 students were given a place on the waitlist. Of those, 1,396 chose to remain, but only 40 were eventually admitted, resulting in a waitlist acceptance rate of 2.9%.

Getting off the waitlist is a bit tricky, but it’s not out of reach, so don’t stress!  In this blog, you’ll get a clear look at Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate, how it impacts your chances of admission, and the next steps you can take if you find yourself waiting for a spot.

• What Is Princeton’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?
• Princeton Waitlist Acceptance Rate vs Ivy League Schools
• Is It Worth Staying on Princeton’s Waitlist?
• What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by Princeton
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Takeaways

What Is Princeton’s Waitlist Acceptance Rate?

Although getting off the waitlist at Princeton is rare, it is not impossible. Let’s look at the last ten years of data to see your real chances:

For the Class of 2028, 1,734 students were waitlisted, 1,396 accepted a spot, and only 40 were admitted—a 2.9% waitlist acceptance rate. But looking at the past decade, Princeton’s waitlist admissions are a true rollercoaster.

On average, about 1,250 students are offered a spot on the waitlist each year, with around 940 actually choosing to stay on it. Out of those, the average number of students admitted is just 43 per year, translating to an average acceptance rate of about 4.6%.

The extremes are eye-opening:

• Highest rate. Class of 2025, when a stunning 15% (150 students) got off the waitlist.
• Lowest rates. Classes of 2022 and 2026, when 0 students were admitted at all.

Another near shut-out was the Class of 2023, when just 1 student was pulled from the waitlist (0.1%). Thus, Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate is highly volatile and unpredictable. Some years, hundreds of students are admitted, while in others, no one makes it through. If you land on the waitlist, realistically speaking, your chances of getting off are slim, but as the Class of 2025 showed, there are rare years when it really pays off. That said, always keep a backup plan ready and make sure you commit to another college while you wait for Princeton’s admission decision.

Princeton University yield rate

Another piece of the puzzle is Princeton’s yield rate, which is the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll. For the Class of 2028, out of 1,868 admitted students, 1,410 chose to attend, giving Princeton an impressive 76% yield rate.

The yield rate matters because it explains why the waitlist moves so little. With such a high yield, most admitted students accept their spot, leaving very few openings to fill from the waitlist. Basically, Princeton is already the top choice for most of the students it admits, which makes waitlist offers rare.

Therefore, if Princeton is where you’ve always dreamed of going, staying on the waitlist costs nothing and could pay off in rare years. But be realistic: the waitlist is uncertain, so always secure a strong backup college while you wait.

Princeton Waitlist Acceptance Rate vs Ivy League Schools

Beyond a doubt, Ivy League waitlists are tough to crack. Some schools take a few more students, while others barely admit anyone. Let’s see how Princeton stacks up against the rest (at least those that release their waitlist stats):

Cornell leads the group, admitting the highest percentage of students from its waitlist at 6.3%. Next is Yale with a 4.1% waitlist acceptance rate, followed by UPenn at 2.9%. Dartmouth is the most selective, with a notably low 1.3% rate. 

Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate, historically, is often similar to or slightly lower than Yale’s and UPenn’s, but slightly higher than Dartmouth’s, making it competitive but still challenging. The truth is that Ivy League waitlists offer hope but remain highly exclusive. Earning an offer from the waitlist is rare, and most students should prepare to pursue other options.

So if you’re placed on an Ivy League waitlist, the odds remain long, especially at schools like Dartmouth and UPenn. This means that to outshine your peers, you’ve got to stand out with genuine interest, fresh updates, and a clear passion for the school.

Is It Worth Staying on Princeton’s Waitlist?

As noted above, Princeton’s latest waitlist acceptance rate (Class of 2028) is just 2.9%. Over the past decade, Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate has averaged about 4.6%. In some years, like the Class of 2025, as many as 150 students (15%) were admitted, while in others—such as the Classes of 2022 and 2026—none were. Most years, however, fewer than 50 students made it off the waitlist.

So, the question arises: is it worth staying on the list? The honest answer is yes—if Princeton is truly your dream school. Even though the odds are slim, being on the waitlist keeps the door cracked open. If you’re willing to wait it out while committing to another college in the meantime, you still have a shot.

What to Do If You’re Waitlisted by Princeton

If you’ve been waitlisted by Princeton University, you’re not alone, and the journey isn’t over. Princeton’s admissions process is among the most competitive in the world, and its waitlist is both a second chance and a source of uncertainty for several students each year. Once you’re waitlisted, here are the things that you have to do:

1. Understand the waitlist at Princeton.

Princeton uses its waitlist as a safeguard to ensure its incoming class size reaches the target enrollment. The university’s yield, as discussed earlier, is the percentage of admitted students who actually enroll. It tends to be very high, so spaces rarely open up, which makes the movement on the waitlist unpredictable. 

For the Class of 2028, Princeton waitlisted 1,734 students: 1,396 accepted a spot, but only 40 were pulled from the waitlist, for a 2.9% waitlist acceptance rate. Meanwhile, of the 1,868 students originally admitted, 1,410 enrolled—an impressive 76% yield rate. That high yield left little room for waitlist movement.

In other cycles, the number may be higher or lower, but this gives us a clear message that getting off the waitlist is challenging, and the numbers keep fluctuating from year to year. Moreover, Princeton’s waitlist is not ranked. This means you’re not assigned a specific place or number. Instead, all students who accept their spot are considered part of a general pool. 

So, if spaces become available, admissions officials review the entire waitlist and select students based on the needs of the institution and the strength of the applicant pool. In short, there’s no way to know exactly where you stand, and the university does not share any further information.

2. Accept your spot on the waitlist.

You must quickly confirm your place on the waitlist through the instructions Princeton provides in your login portal or email. Generally, you have a deadline to accept, and missing it will take you out of consideration.

3. Write a letter of continued interest.

Although Princeton does not require it, the school does accept a brief letter of continued interest (LOCI) that reaffirms your commitment and desire to attend if accepted. Here’s how:

• Clearly state that Princeton remains your top choice, share updates on any new achievements or changes since your application was submitted, and share how you will impact the campus.
• Be very concise, honest, and positive. Avoid inundating the admissions office with multiple messages because one strong update is enough.
• Keep the letter straightforward (under 500 words), professional, and specific to Princeton.

Here is a sample LOCI for your reference:

Dear Princeton Admissions Committee,

Thank you for considering me on Princeton’s waitlist. I remain deeply committed to attending Princeton University and would immediately accept an offer of admission if extended. Since submitting my application, I’ve continued to excel academically and personally, and I want to share meaningful updates that reflect my dedication to joining Princeton’s diverse community.

This semester, I’ve maintained a 4.0 GPA across my AP coursework, including AP Calculus BC and AP Chemistry, while recently receiving recognition as a National Merit Finalist. Additionally, I was selected to present my independent research on renewable energy optimization at our regional science symposium, where my work on photovoltaic efficiency improvements earned first place in the engineering category.

Beyond academics, I’ve expanded my leadership as captain of our school’s Science Olympiad team, guiding us to our first state championship qualification in five years. I also launched a STEM mentorship program connecting high school students with local engineers, which has grown to serve over 150 students across three schools. This experience reinforced my passion for engineering’s potential to solve complex societal challenges, precisely what drew me to Princeton.

Princeton’s unique combination of rigorous engineering education within a liberal arts framework perfectly aligns with my goals. I’m particularly excited about the Engineering and the Liberal Arts program and opportunities like the Office of Undergraduate Research’s ReMatch program, where I could collaborate with graduate mentors on cutting-edge projects. 

Professor Andrea Goldsmith’s work in wireless communications and Professor Claire Gmachl’s research in quantum cascade lasers directly connect to my interests in sustainable technology applications.

Most importantly, Princeton’s Honor Code and culture of intellectual collaboration resonate deeply with my values. The emphasis on independent work, including the senior thesis requirement, offers exactly the kind of scholarly depth I seek. I’m drawn to Princeton’s tradition of producing graduates who apply rigorous engineering principles to address humanity’s greatest challenges.

I understand admission from the waitlist is highly competitive. Nevertheless, I want to reaffirm that Princeton remains my first choice, and I would enthusiastically contribute to Princeton’s collaborative and intellectually vibrant community if given the opportunity.

Sincerely,

[Your Full Name]

[Your Princeton Application ID]

[Your Email Address]

[Your High School]

4. Secure your place at another college.

Never count solely on the waitlist. Deposit, submit paperwork, and commit to another school where you’ve been accepted by the May 1 deadline. This guarantees you’ll have a college experience next year, regardless of what Princeton’s final decision may be. 

If you’re later admitted from the waitlist, you can still choose to attend Princeton, but you might lose your initial deposit. This trade-off is worth giving a shot as you strike a balance between emotions and finances.

Remember: be realistic, but also hopeful. Many students go on to thrive at schools that weren’t originally their first choice: you may find opportunities, friendships, and experiences you never imagined. Stay open-minded, keep perspective, and know that your path forward will be meaningful wherever it begins.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. How competitive is Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate compared to other Ivies?

Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate is tough to crack. For the Class of 2028, only 2.9% of students made it off the list. That’s lower than Yale (4.1%) and Cornell (6.3%), about the same as UPenn (2.9%), but still better than Dartmouth, which admitted just 1.3%.

2. Does Princeton University rank its waitlist?

No, Princeton does not rank its waitlist. If you accept a spot, you’re placed into one big pool, and the admissions team reviews everyone again based on the year’s needs.

3. How many people does Princeton waitlist?

On average, Princeton offers about 1,250 waitlist spots each year, around 930 students accept, and only about 43 are ultimately admitted.

Takeaways

• Princeton University usually admits only 4.6% of students from the waitlist, but Princeton’s waitlist acceptance rate has swung from 0% in some years to 15% in others.
• Because 76% of admitted students chose Princeton in the Class of 2028, few seats were left for waitlisted applicants. In general, the higher a college’s yield rate, the fewer spots open up for students on the waitlist.
• If Princeton is your dream, sending a letter of continued interest can show commitment. Just make sure you also have a solid backup plan.

Need help with the Princeton waitlist? Expert college admission guidance can boost your chances. AdmissionSight can help you craft a strong LOCI, update your application, and stay competitive.