What is Baccalaureate Day at Princeton?

Princeton's Baccalaureate Day is an interfaith, reflective service for graduating seniors, held the Sunday before Commencement, featuring blessings, music, readings from diverse traditions, and a keynote address focusing on human values and service, serving as a poignant moment of transition from student to alumnus. It's one of the university's oldest traditions, providing a moment of contemplation between the excitement of Reunions and the main Commencement ceremony, and is attended by seniors in caps and gowns, with guests viewing via simulcast.

What is the Baccalaureate at Princeton?

Baccalaureate is an interfaith service, reflecting the diversity of religious life at Princeton University.

What is the purpose of a baccalaureate ceremony?

A baccalaureate service is a reflective, often spiritual, ceremony held before graduation to honor students' achievements, offer blessings, and provide a moment for reflection on their journey and future, bridging academic success with personal growth in a more intimate setting than the main commencement. It serves as a transition point, celebrating intellectual and spiritual development and giving thanks to families, mentors, and the institution, often incorporating prayer, music, readings, and inspiring speeches. 

What is the rule of 75 at Princeton University?

Princeton University's "Rule of 75" is a retirement eligibility standard for benefits-eligible employees hired after January 1, 2003, requiring their age plus years of benefits-eligible service to total at least 75, alongside being at least 55 years old with 10 years of service, allowing for earlier retirement benefits access. 

What is the difference between graduation and Baccalaureate?

Baccalaureate is a reflective, often spiritual, pre-graduation ceremony celebrating academic achievement and transition, while graduation (Commencement) is the formal, secular event where diplomas are awarded, with the former being quieter and the latter a large public celebration. Think of Baccalaureate as a meaningful send-off and reflection, and Commencement as the official conferral of degrees.
 

Princeton University 2021 Baccalaureate Ceremony

What GPA is needed for a baccalaureate?

Baccalaureate Degree Requirements

A Baccalaureate degree is granted upon successful completion of a program of study with a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.0 (C) and a minimum of 120 semester units, including: Completion of the academic path with a grade of C or higher in each course (Title 5 §55063);

Do parents attend the baccalaureate?

I let her know that the Baccalaureate service is for ALL the graduates and their families whether they attend church or not. It's a non denominational service for the seniors, where they'll be prayed for and inspired.

Is Princeton or MIT more prestigious?

Neither Princeton nor MIT is definitively "more" prestigious; they are both elite universities with world-class reputations, but excel in different areas, with MIT leading in STEM/innovation and Princeton in a broader, well-rounded undergraduate focus (Ivy League). Your choice depends on your field: MIT for engineering/CS, Princeton for strong undergrad liberal arts/theory, though both offer top education, with rankings fluctuating by publication and year, highlighting their parallel excellence.
 

Is Princeton cheaper than Harvard?

While Harvard often has a slightly lower sticker price for tuition and fees, Princeton is frequently considered more affordable overall due to its exceptionally generous, debt-free financial aid, often matching or exceeding Harvard's aid packages, especially for lower to middle-income families, with both schools providing aid that can make them very inexpensive or even free for many students, making the "cheaper" option dependent on individual family income, but Princeton's aid structure can offer better outcomes for some. 

What do you wear to a baccalaureate ceremony?

Most guests choose a business casual to semi-formal attire. They usually go for dressy slacks and a button-up shirt, a knee-length or below knee-length dress, or fashionable blouse and dress pants. Loafers, flats, or low heels are the best options, especially if you'll be walking or standing outside.

What are top 3 graduates called?

The top graduates are often called the Valedictorian (highest rank) and Salutatorian (second highest), while many colleges also use tiered Latin honors: Summa cum laude (highest praise), Magna cum laude (great praise), and Cum laude (with praise) for the top percentages of the class, all signifying high academic achievement.
 

Why is the baccalaureate so important?

The IB enables students to direct their own learning pathway and develop the skills and confidence they need to thrive and make a lasting difference. It empowers teachers as the architects of learning excellence, working alongside engaged colleagues in a rewarding career supported by a strong global network.

What degree did Jeff Bezos get from Princeton?

At Princeton University, Jeff Bezos majored in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science, graduating with highest honors (summa cum laude) in 1986, though he initially planned to study physics before realizing his true passion and aptitude lay in computing. He was a member of the engineering honor society, Tau Beta Pi, and focused on challenging coursework in algorithms, quantum physics, and machine architecture, laying the groundwork for his future ventures.
 

What is Princeton number 1 in?

Princeton University is consistently ranked #1 in the U.S. News & World Report's "National Universities" category for offering a top-tier undergraduate education, also often ranking #1 for "Best Value Schools," but its global ranking varies, often placing it lower due to different criteria, focusing more on research than undergraduate experience.
 

Do you wear your cap and gown to the baccalaureate?

Like graduation and other milestone events, the baccalaureate ceremony is a great photo opportunity for families. So, dress for photos, but be comfortable. The formal caps and gowns are not worn at a baccalaureate service.

What's harder to get into, Princeton or Harvard?

Harvard is generally harder to get into than Princeton, as it consistently has a lower acceptance rate (around 3-3.6% vs. Princeton's 4.6-6% for recent classes), making it slightly more selective based on numbers alone, though both are extremely competitive and difficult to gain admission to. The difference is minimal, as both are top-tier, highly selective Ivy League universities, with slight year-to-year variations in their already tiny acceptance rates. 

What major is Princeton known for?

Princeton is renowned for strong programs in Computer Science, Economics, Public & International Affairs, Engineering, History, Physics, and Mathematics, consistently ranking among the best in these fields, though it offers excellence across the Humanities, Social Sciences, and Natural Sciences with a deep commitment to liberal arts education. Popular majors often include Computer Science, Economics, Public Policy, and various Engineering disciplines.
 

Which is prettier, Yale or Princeton?

The Ivy League: Which campus is prettiest: Yale, Harvard, or Princeton? Princeton. Princeton's campus and the town are the most charming of any American university. Yale's campus is as striking as Princeton's, albeit in a different style.

What is the easiest public ivy to get into?

There isn't one single "easiest" Public Ivy, as they're all selective, but schools like University of Maryland (College Park), Penn State, Indiana University Bloomington, Rutgers, or University of Minnesota (Twin Cities) often have higher acceptance rates (40-80%) compared to highly selective ones like UC Berkeley or UVA, though specific rates vary by year and state residency. The University of Colorado Boulder also boasts a very high admit rate (~93%), making it statistically easier, but consider your major and state residency for the best fit and chance. 

What GPA do you need to get into Princeton?

While Princeton University, doesn't have a strict minimum GPA, successful applicants typically have near-perfect unweighted GPAs (around 3.95 average, with many at 4.0) and take the most rigorous courses (AP/IB/Honors) available, demonstrating top-tier academic performance in a challenging curriculum, though holistic review means other factors matter.
 

What is the safest Ivy League campus?

Campus Safety Considerations

When examining 2022 campus crime statistics, University of Pennsylvania reported the lowest total criminal offenses (26 counts) despite its urban Philadelphia location.

How much money should a parent give their child for college graduation?

College graduation

Parents and grandparents tend to give most generously to graduates, with average cash gifts for college graduations ranging from $100 to $500. Other close relatives usually give between $50 and $250. Friends and siblings may give $25 to $50.

What should dad wear to daughter's graduation?

Dads attending their child's graduation ceremony should aim for a polished and put-together look. A classic choice for dads is a well-fitted suit or sports coat paired with dress pants or khakis. For a distinguished and stylish option, consider a glen plaid suit, which offers a timeless yet modern feel.

Do parents give flowers for graduation?

Flowers are also a thoughtful choice—it's tradition to present the graduate with a corsage or boutonnière prior to the graduation ceremony, or a bouquet of flowers afterwards.