GPA Calculation at Princeton University
First Things First: What’s the Deal With GPAs at Princeton?
Princeton University doesn’t use a traditional GPA system in the same way many other U.S. colleges do. In fact, there is no official GPA reported on transcripts. Instead, Princeton focuses on letter grades and narrative evaluations, emphasizing academic rigor over numerical rankings.
But don’t worry—just because Princeton doesn’t hand you a GPA on a silver platter doesn’t mean you can’t calculate one yourself if needed (for scholarships, grad school, or job applications). You’ll just need to manually convert your grades into grade points using a common scale.
Standard Grade Scale Used at Princeton (Unofficial for GPA Calculation)
| Letter Grade | Grade Point Equivalent |
|---|---|
| A+ | 4.0 |
| A | 4.0 |
| A− | 3.7 |
| B+ | 3.3 |
| B | 3.0 |
| B− | 2.7 |
| C+ | 2.3 |
| C | 2.0 |
| C− | 1.7 |
| D | 1.0 |
| F | 0.0 |
Again, Princeton doesn’t officially assign GPA points to these grades—but this scale is commonly used by students and academic advisors when they need to estimate GPA for external purposes.
So…How Are Grades Reported?
Princeton transcripts list letter grades, along with course titles, credit hours, and sometimes written narrative comments from faculty. The university emphasizes intellectual development over competition, so they don’t rank students or assign a GPA.
However, you’ll still be graded using a traditional letter-grade system in most undergraduate courses, and these grades follow standard academic conventions.
Department-Level Grading Notes
Princeton previously had grade deflation policies to combat inflation, but those were phased out in 2014. Now, grading practices are left up to individual departments, although faculty are encouraged to ensure grading remains meaningful and consistent.
Here’s a general idea of how grades may vary by department:
| Department | Notable Grading Policies |
|---|---|
| Engineering | Emphasis on problem-solving; grades curve in some courses |
| Humanities (e.g., English) | Heavily essay-based; narrative feedback common |
| Natural Sciences | Often exam-heavy; grading curves may apply |
| Social Sciences | Balanced mix of essays and exams; standard letter grading |
Always check your department’s specific guidelines or ask your academic advisor for insight on grading trends.
What About Pass/D/Fail?
Princeton allows students to take certain courses on a Pass/D/Fail (PDF) basis. This is typically used to encourage academic exploration outside of your concentration (major). Here’s how it works:
- Pass means you met basic standards (roughly equivalent to a C− or better).
- D or Fail appear as-is on the transcript.
- PDF courses do not factor into GPA (if you’re calculating one), but they do count toward your total course requirements.
Calculating an Approximate GPA
If you need to report a GPA for an internship, scholarship, or grad school:
- Convert each letter grade to its grade point equivalent using the unofficial scale above.
- Multiply each grade point by the number of course credits.
- Add up the total grade points.
- Divide by the total number of credits.
It’s simple math, even if Princeton doesn’t make it official.