Application Process

How to Apply to PSJP

The application for the summer of 2022 is now open!

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

2022 Program Dates: PSJP participants complete pre-work for the summer institute, including working with their college counselor and preparing their journalism assignments, from June - July. The summer institute culminates in 10-day residential program in person on Princeton's campus Friday, July 29 - Monday, Aug 8.

Students complete three rounds to apply for PSJP. Details for each round are below. Sign-up for an information session to speak with program staff and current participants about the program.

Application Rounds 1, 2, and 3

Round 1: November - February

The application for the 2022 Princeton Summer Journalism Program is now open and due on Monday, February 28, 2022.

Students complete an online application, which asks for details about academics and family finances, contact information for guidance counselors, and an unofficial high school transcript. Students must also write two short responses and one longer article.

Round 2: March - April

PSJP will notify semi-finalists of their decisions in late March. Semi-finalists must send or have school officials send us copies of the following documents within two weeks of being notified:

  1. Your official high school transcript

  2. Your parent/guardian's complete federal income-tax return for the calendar year 2020 and, if available, 2021 of your parent(s)/guardian(s); or a signed statement by your parent(s)/guardian(s) saying that they do not file income tax returns, explaining why, and detailing sources and amounts of all income for each year, 2020 and 2021. Every finalist whose family files taxes will be required to submit 2021 tax information before decisions are finalized in May.

  3. A recommendation letter from a teacher in a core academic subject. Only one recommendation is required.

  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. Samples of your writing from your high school newspaper or other publication (if you have them)

Round 3: May

A select number of students will be chosen as finalists and invited to interview via video 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 late-May.

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