Q: What are the test score and GPA requirements to be admitted?
A: While the Admissions Committee considers every application seriously, SAT scores below 920 and a GPA below a 2.3 require special consideration. Students with marginal records of achievement may not be invited to come to Principia until these requirements can be met.
Q: What is the average class size?
A: Most classes have an enrollment of 10 - 15 students.
Q: What is the student / faculty ratio?
A: 9:1 students to faculty.
Q: Do most students graduate from Principia within four years?
A: Approximately 66% of students who enroll as freshmen graduate within four years, and 73% to 78% graduate within six years.
Q: What is your retention rate, from freshman to sophomore year?
A: 76% of the degree-seeking first-time freshmen admitted in the fall of 2005 returned to Principia for their sophomore year.
Q: What is Principia's academic calendar?
A: The academic year is divided into three 10-week quarters, with Fall Quarter beginning in early September, Winter Quarter in early January and Spring Quarter in late March. Winter Break is 6 to 7 weeks in length, beginning before Thanksgiving and ending after New Year's Day. Spring Break is a 2-week break during the last two weeks of March. Graduation is on the first or second Sunday in June depending on the calendar.
Q: How many courses do I take to graduate?
A: The graduation requirement is 36 courses — 9 a year and 3 each quarter. Three courses each quarter is a demanding academic load as you are expected to attend classes each day for each course. Students work an average of two hours a day on each class in which they are enrolled during the quarter.
Q: How many of these courses will be in my major area of interest?
A: 10-12 courses of the total number of 36 will be in your major. This also gives you the opportunity to take electives and still leave room in your schedule to take all-college degree requirements.
Q: How many majors does Principia offer?
A: Principia offers 26 Bachelor of Arts majors and 6 Bachelor of Science majors. We also offer 4 minor programs with no major. Also if you have a specialized interest, you can design and petition for a special major, which can also include relevant courses offered at another college or university.
Q: What are the All-College Degree Requirements?
A: These requirements are currently being revised by the faculty. While there will be some changes made to the current requirements, the basic requirements of a well-rounded liberal arts curriculum will be part of your educational record at Principia. You will take courses in English literature, history, philosophy, religion, social science, foreign language, creative arts, and math and natural sciences, including lab sciences.
Q: Does Principia offer travel-study abroad programs?
A: Three of every five Principia students are selected to take part in at least one travel-study abroad program. While some students head off to specific countries for independent study, planned with help from an on-campus faculty sponsor, most students travel as a group — led by one or more Principia faculty. Each Prin Abroad has its own focus, such as a country's language, history, culture, art, music, natural resources, or ecology. Time spent in these countries can vary from three to nine weeks, depending on the goals of each abroad, how much class preparation will be required before departure, and how much time is needed afterwards for final projects.
Q: Which countries have been visited by Prin Abroad groups most recently?
A: Austria, China, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, Peru, Russia, Scotland, South Africa, Venezuela, and Vietnam.
Q: Does Principia offer academic internships?
A: Yes. One of every three Principia students gains practical, on-the-job work experience as an intern. Student interns typically spend nine weeks working off campus in a business, charitable organization, government agency, or other workplace in a job related to their field of interest.
Q: Do you have an English as a Second Language (ESL) program?
A: Yes, but students need to be invited and accepted to participate.
