Princeton Academic Calendar 2026-2027

Princeton Academic Calendar 2026-2027: Princeton Graduation 2026

The Princeton Academic Calendar for 2026–2027 is now available, offering key dates and important details to help students, faculty, and staff prepare for the upcoming academic year. The calendar outlines the full schedule for the Fall and Spring semesters, including move-in dates, orientation sessions, course registration, holidays, midterms, final exams, and academic breaks. Along with the academic schedule, Princeton University has also released its events calendar, registration timetables, and final exam periods for the year.

At Princeton, each academic term spans 15 weeks. This includes 12 weeks of regular instruction, followed by an 8 to 9-day reading period that gives students time to review materials and complete final projects or papers. Instructors may also hold additional class meetings during this reading period. After that, a 7-day final exam period begins, marking the close of each semester. This structure ensures a balance between intensive academic work and sufficient time for preparation and assessment.

The academic year is carefully planned to support student success and maintain a consistent rhythm across the university’s educational programs. Staying informed about these key dates helps students meet deadlines, prepare for transitions between terms, and make the most of their time on campus. New students planning their first year and returning students looking ahead will both benefit from the clear and organized framework provided by the Princeton academic calendar.

Princeton Academic Calendar 2026-2027

August 2026

August 1 (Fri):

Continuing graduate students may begin selecting fall term courses at 7:30 a.m.
Graduate student academic year sign-in begins at 7:00 a.m.

August 19–21 (Tue–Thu):

International undergraduate orientation

August 20 (Wed):

New graduate students may begin selecting fall term courses at 7:00 a.m.

August 22–31 (Fri–Sun):

Undergraduate student orientation

August 22 (Fri):

Undergraduate academic year sign-in begins at 7:00 a.m.

August 26 (Tue):

Fall course selection for new undergraduate students

August 27–28 (Wed–Thu):

Graduate School opening address and orientation

August 29 (Fri):

International graduate student orientation
Graduate student academic year sign-in ends at 11:59 p.m.

August 31 (Sun):

Undergraduate academic year sign-in ends at 11:59 p.m.
Opening Exercises at University Chapel

September 2026

September 1 (Mon):

Labor Day holiday

September 2 (Tue):

Fall semester classes begin at 8:00 a.m.
Undergraduate add/drop period opens at 6:30 a.m.

September 15 (Mon):

Undergraduate add/drop period ends at 11:59 p.m.

September 22 (Mon):

First day of Ph.D. general examinations

October 2026

October 6–10 (Mon–Fri):

Midterm examination week

October 10 (Fri):

Last day of Ph.D. general examinations

October 11–19 (Sat–Sun):

Fall recess

October 19 (Sun):

Fall recess ends

October 20 (Mon):

Classes resume
Faculty deadline to submit midterm grades (due by 11:59 p.m.)
Undergraduate P/D/F option selection opens at 6:30 a.m.

November 2026

November 7 (Fri):

Deadline for undergraduates to select P/D/F grading option (ends at 11:59 p.m.)
Deadline for undergraduates to drop fall term courses (ends at 11:59 p.m.)
Graduate student deadline to make fall term course changes (ends at 11:59 p.m.)

November 25 (Tue):

Tuesday follows a Friday class schedule
Thanksgiving recess begins after last class

November 30 (Sun):

Thanksgiving recess ends

December 2025

December 1 (Mon):

Classes resume after Thanksgiving recess

December 2 (Tue):

Senior spring term course selection begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m.

December 3 (Wed):

Junior spring term course selection begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m.

December 4 (Thu):

Last day of fall classes
Sophomore spring term course selection begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m.

December 5 (Fri):

Reading period begins
First-year spring term course selection begins at 7:30 a.m. and ends at 11:59 p.m.
Graduate student spring term course selection begins at 7:30 a.m.

December 12 (Fri):

Dean’s Date: Final deadline for all academic work due during the instructional period
Reading period ends

December 13–19 (Sat–Fri):

Final assessments for the fall term

January 2026

January 12 (Mon):

First day of Wintersession
First day of Ph.D. general examinations

January 14 (Wed):

Faculty deadline to submit grades for both graduate and undergraduate courses

January 16 (Fri):

Undergraduate deadline to submit junior independent work

January 23 (Fri):

Faculty deadline to submit grades for junior independent work

January 25 (Sun):

Last day of Wintersession

READ: UNH Academic Calendar 2026-2027

Application Dates & Deadlines At Princeton 2026-2027

Single-Choice Early Action (SCEA) at Princeton is a nonbinding option. If admitted, you are not required to accept right away and have until May 1, 2027 to confirm your enrollment. If you apply by the November 1 deadline, you cannot apply early to any other private U.S. college or university. However, you may still apply early to public institutions, service academies, or international schools—as long as their early programs are nonbinding.

Important SCEA Dates for 2026–2027:

Mid-August 2026: Application opens (Common App + Princeton-specific questions)
November 1, 2026: Application deadline, including required documents like:

Graded written paper
School report, counselor letter, transcript
Two teacher evaluations
English proficiency tests (if needed)

November 6: Optional arts supplement due
November 9: Princeton Financial Aid Application due
Mid-December: Admission decisions released

Regular Decision applicants also receive decisions in late March and must reply by May 1, 2027. The same financial aid process applies. Students admitted under either round will receive their financial aid offer with the admission decision if all documents are submitted on time.

Possible Outcomes:

Early Action: Admit, deny, or defer to Regular Decision
Regular Decision: Admit, deny, or waitlist .

How To Apply At Princeton 2026-2027

Step-by-Step Guide to Apply at Princeton 2026–2027

Choose Your Application Plan

Single-Choice Early Action (nonbinding): Deadline is November 1, 2026
Regular Decision: Deadline is January 1, 2027

Start the Common Application

Visit the Common App website
Add Princeton University and complete the Princeton-specific questions

Prepare Required Materials

Transcript
School Report
Two teacher recommendations
Counselor recommendation
Mid-year report (if applicable)
Graded written paper from high school

Submit Optional Test Scores

ACT or SAT scores are optional
English proficiency tests (TOEFL, IELTS Academic, or PTE Academic) are required for non-native English speakers

Submit the Arts Supplement (Optional)

Deadline: November 6, 2026

Apply for Financial Aid (if needed)

Submit Princeton Financial Aid Application
Early Action deadline: November 9, 2026
Regular Decision deadline: February 1, 2027

Check Application Status

After submitting, monitor your Princeton applicant portal for updates and missing materials

Wait for a Decision

Early Action decisions released mid-December
Regular Decision notifications released in late March

Respond by May 1, 2027

Confirm enrollment and submit your decision by the national reply deadline

Contact Princeton

Admission

P.O. Box 430 Princeton University
 Princeton, NJ 08542-0430

For Courier Service

Princeton University
Office of Admission
Helm Building
330 Alexander Street, 3rd Floor
Princeton, NJ 08540

Email: uaoffice@princeton.edu
Phone: 609-258-3060 Fax: 609-258-6743

Visit The Official Website of Princeton University For More Details. I hope the provided information is helpful. Share your thoughts below in the comment section.

RELATED LINKS:

Princeton Academic Calendar 2026-2027

Related