Application Process

How to Apply to PSJP

The application for the 2021 Princeton Summer Journalism Program is now open! Apply by Monday, February 22, 2021.

The program will run virtually over 7 weeks June-August. Review the 2020 program schedule for a sample schedule.

Students apply in the winter-spring of their junior year and attend the program during the summer between junior and senior year. No exceptions will be made for students in any other grades. If you are a 9th or 10th grader, you can sign-up here to be contacted when the application opens in future years.

2021 Program Dates: mid-June through early August 2021

Students complete three rounds to apply for PSJP. Details for each round are below.

Application Rounds 1, 2, and 3

Round 1: December - February

The online application for the 2021 Princeton Summer Journalism Program is now open and will be due by Monday, February 22, 2021.

The application will ask for the following information, so please have it handy as you complete the application:

Academic information, including GPA and unofficial transcript. You will need to upload an unofficial copy of your transcript as part of your application to be considered. If you do not have a full transcript, there is guidance on the application to tell you what to do.

You will be asked to submit information about your family's finances. You do not need to submit tax information for this round. If you do not have exact numbers available, make your best estimate. We will verify financial information in Round 2.

You will also have to write three short essays.

If your question is not answered in this section or in the sections below, please review our Frequently Asked Questions for more information.

Round 2: March - April

After we receive the first round of applications, we will select a group to proceed to Round 2. If you are selected for the second round, we will ask you to send us copies of the following documents within two weeks of being notified:

  1. Your official high school transcript

  2. Your parent/guardian's income-tax return (the 1040, 1040A, or 1040EZ form) for the calendar year 2019 and/or 2020 of your custodial parent(s)/guardian(s); or a signed statement by your parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that they do not file income tax returns and why. Everyone whose family files taxes will be required to submit 2019 taxes before decisions are finalized in May.

  3. A recommendation letter from a teacher in a core academic subject (this is optional in 2020)

  4. A high school profile from your guidance or college counselor. If your school does not have a profile, we will provide a form they can fill out to the best of their ability.

  5. Clips from your high school newspaper or other publication (if you have them)

Round 3: April - May

A select number of students will be invited to interview via phone conference for the final round of the application process. More information will be provided to those students when the time comes.

All participants will be notified of their final decisions by mid-May.

For more information about the application process, visit our Frequently Asked Questions section.