Princeton’s Hidden Minority: Understanding and Supporting First-Generation and Low-Income Students at Princeton University

Abstract

Princeton University has recently made strides in increasing its socioeconomic diversity by admitting more first-generation and low-income students. However, Princeton has paid less attention to these students’ experiences once they arrive on campus. While studies at other elite colleges have shown their first-generation and lowincome students face unique challenges, Princeton administrators lack such information about their own institution. Accordingly, this thesis collected original interview and survey data from Princeton students and administrators to assess if and how these challenges manifest at Princeton, and to determine how they should be addressed. The data indicate first-generation and low-income Princeton students face substantial social, academic, and professional challenges not faced by other students. This negatively impacts their college experience in various ways. Currently, not enough resources are tailored toward mitigating these challenges. A lack of awareness and a paralyzing stigmatization worry drive this inaction. Therefore, this thesis concludes Princeton should acknowledge and actively address the social, academic, and professional issues its first-generation and low-income students face. Specifically, Princeton should target and deliver more supporting resources to these students by implementing the policy recommendations this thesis advocates.