The Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) is a year-long college preparation program run by Princeton University for high school juniors from low-income backgrounds who are interested in journalism.
The summer after junior year brings a roughly four-week hybrid intensive: online workshops, then a 10-day stay on the Princeton campus with professors, journalists and alumni, ending with a student-produced newspaper. In senior year, each student works with a personal college adviser on admissions.
Benefits & funding
- Free to attend, including the 10-day residential stay on campus.
- One-on-one college application guidance through senior year.
Eligibility
- Current high school juniors at the time of applying; no exceptions for other grades.
- Must live in the United States or Puerto Rico and plan to attend a four-year college in the US.
- Minimum unweighted GPA of 3.5 out of 4.0.
- An interest in journalism.
- At least one financial condition: household income of no more than US$65,000, eligibility for free or reduced-price school lunch, or eligibility for an SAT/ACT fee waiver.
- No citizenship rule is stated.
Can you apply?
Here's who can apply
Decoded from the official rules. A free account checks them against your passport, degree and age in seconds.
“Be a current junior in high school at the time of application. No exceptions.” Eligibility
Residence required
USA · Puerto Rico
Education required
High School
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Application process
- 1Create an account on Princeton’s pre-college portal and complete the online application during junior year; the 2026 deadline was 26 January.
Program timeline
26 January 2026
2026 application deadline
summer intensive (online classes, then 10 days on campus)
30 June – 3 August 2026
Senior year
college admissions advising