Learn about the advanced standing program, which is a potential pathway to early graduation. If you have been granted advanced placement in the appropriate number of subject areas, you may be eligible for advanced standing, which will permit you to graduate in either three or three and one-half years of study. You will be notified of your possible eligibility during the fall semester of your first year. Please note that advanced standing will be discontinued for the Class of 2029 and beyond. Effective for the Class of 2029 and beyond, eligible standardized test scores and placement test scores may be used for course placement and requirement fulfillment but will not confer units of credit towards advanced standing.Considerations and AdvisingIf you are considering advanced standing, carefully assess whether condensing your Princeton education into fewer than eight semesters will enable you to accomplish your academic and personal goals. Consider not only the time and money you will save by accelerating your studies (i.e., one or two terms of course work and tuition), but also your own readiness to enter a department and start independent work. Ask yourself:Can you create a manageable program of study that will enable you to meet your general education and departmental requirements on a compressed schedule?Will you be prepared to write a senior thesis with less time in the classroom? Will you be able to accomplish everything that you want to in your extracurricular life?Family and personal mentors are likely to be important sources of advice. At Princeton, your faculty adviser and the assistant dean for studies in your residential college can help you weigh your options. B.S.E. students are encouraged to discuss their options with the associate dean for undergraduate affairs in the School of Engineering and Applied Science. Plan for Advanced Standing Counting advanced placement (AP) units for advanced standing When adding up your units of advanced placement, please note: Equivalents: For the purpose of determining advanced standing, each unit of advanced placement replaces one Princeton course. Maximum units of advanced placement per subject: Two. Transcripts: All advanced placement awarded at matriculation is recorded on your transcript. Advanced standing and course equivalents: You forfeit the use of advanced placement for advanced standing if you take courses equivalent to or below those for which advanced placement was granted. In the case of language, if you were awarded two units of advanced placement credit at matriculation, you forfeit both units if you enroll in any 100-level course in the language for which advanced placement was granted. Eligibility requirements to graduate in three years To graduate in three years (by becoming a sophomore in the spring of the first year or a junior in the fall of the second year).A.B. candidatesEight units of advanced placement (equivalent to eight Princeton courses) distributed in at least three of the following subject areas: languages, historical analysis, quantitative reasoning, science and technology, and social analysis.A minimum of 23 courses to graduate, of which a maximum of two may be taken away from Princeton with prior approval.B.S.E. candidatesEight units of advanced placement, which must include two in physics, two in mathematics (determined by successful completion of Math 201 or higher), and one in chemistry.A minimum of 28 courses to graduate, of which a maximum of three may be taken away from Princeton with prior approval.Additional RequirementsIn addition to presenting the appropriate number of advanced placement units in the required subject areas, you are required to:Have fulfilled all prerequisites for a major;Propose a plan of study in a major, approved by the appropriate departmental representative;Indicate how you will fulfill all remaining University requirements; andHave earned a B average (with no grade lower than a C) prior to the start of junior year. Eligibility requirements to graduate in three-and-a-half years To graduate in three-and-a-half years (by taking one term of advanced standing during the sophomore year):A.B. candidatesFour units of advanced placement in at least two subject areas: languages, historical analysis, quantitative reasoning, science and technology, and social analysis.A minimum of 27 courses to graduate, of which a maximum of two may be taken away from Princeton with prior approval.B.S.E. candidatesFour units of advanced placement: two in physics, one in mathematics, and one in chemistry.A minimum of 32 courses to graduate, of which a maximum of three may be taken away from Princeton with prior approval.Additional RequirementsIn addition to presenting the appropriate number of advanced placement units in the required subject areas, you must:Have earned a B- average (with no grade lower than a C) prior to your leave;Indicate your choice of major and how you will fulfill its prerequisites. Eligibility notification and how to apply You will be notified by your assistant dean for studies of your eligibility for advanced standing. Please discuss your plans with your assistant dean for studies (A.B. candidates) or the associate dean of the School of Engineering and Applied Science (B.S.E. candidates) to determine whether it is feasible to interrupt or shorten your course of study. A year of advanced standing: Submit an application by the beginning of the first day of the spring term of the first year. Choose courses for the spring term with a three-year degree in mind. Fall term of sophomore year on advanced standing: Meet with your assistant dean for studies by April 1 of your first year to discuss your plans. Spring term of sophomore year on advanced standing: Meet with your assistant dean for studies by December 1 of your sophomore year to discuss your plans. Notification of advanced standing and time away The Faculty Committee on Examinations and Standing formally grants advanced standing. The Committee may also rescind it if, in its judgment, you have not made satisfactory progress toward your degree. During your advanced standing term(s), you will officially be on a leave of absence. Before leaving campus, you must see your residential college dean to arrange for the leave. Reverting from advanced standing If you take a year of advanced standing and then decide to stay the full four years, you may revert and join your original class any time prior to the start of your senior year. If you do not change your major, your junior independent work will count toward your graduation requirements. If you receive financial aid, you will still be eligible for a full four years of support. Additional Resources B.S.E. Program Q and A Find advanced placement guidance for students in the B.S.E. program. Time Away from Princeton Learn more about the policies and procedures involved in taking time away from campus. Undergraduate Announcement Review academic regulations, programs of study, and undergraduate course offerings in this publication released each August.