Frequently Asked Questions

Find more information about admissions for international students here.

Q: What are the academic course requirements to be admitted into Principia? 

A: We recommend a strong college-prep program of 16 solid academic courses in high school, including 4 years of English, 4 years of math (algebra I and II, geometry, plus one additional math course), 3 years of natural science, including some lab work, 2 years of history and social science (including American history), and 2–3 years in the same foreign language as well as 2 years of academic electives (other than music, art, and computer science, unless they are AP courses). 

Q: How is my high school grade point average (GPA) computed by Principia College?

A: Only solid academic subjects are considered in a re-computation of the high school GPA. These subjects are English, math, history, social science, natural science, and foreign language. All Advanced Placement (AP) courses are considered in the computation of the GPA. AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are given one additional grade point; honors courses are given an additional half grade point. In this way, an A earned in AP English will earn 5.0 grade points rather than a 4.0 (4.5 for an A earned in an honors course). Courses in art, music, speech, drama, health, PE, shop, home economics, computer science, and other elective courses are not considered in the computation of the GPA.

Q: How can an admissions counselor help me? 

A: Your admissions counselors are advocates for you and will support you throughout the college selection and decision-making process–whether or not Principia College is your final choice. Your counselor knows a great deal about the intricacies of the general college search process and is eager to help you make the decision that best fits your talents and dreams. Staying in touch is just a click away. 

Contact Our Admissions Counselors

Q: What is your admissions process? 

A: Once your application is complete (all components have been received by the Office of Admissions), the Admissions Committee will review your application. Close attention is paid to your academic record, your commitment to spiritual growth, achievement in extracurricular activities, and your readiness to contribute to the Principia College community. In most cases, you will have a decision within two weeks.

Q: Does Principia accept payments from 529 Savings Plans?

A: Yes, currently Principia College is eligible to accept funds from 529s. Principia’s Title IV code is 001744.

Q: Will Principia include the score from the writing section of the SAT or the ACT when determining cumulative or composite scores for scholarship eligibility?

A: Principia no longer requires the writing section on the SAT or ACT and will not use it in the cumulative score. If you so choose, Principia will administer our own holistic admissions assessment.

Q: How is my high school grade point average (GPA) computed by Principia College?

A: Only solid academic subjects are considered in a re-computation of the high school GPA. These subjects are English, math, history, social science, natural science, and foreign language. All Advanced Placement (AP) courses are considered in the computation of the GPA. AP and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses are given one additional grade point; honors courses are given an additional half grade point. In this way, an A earned in AP English will earn 5.0 grade points rather than a 4.0 (4.5 for an A earned in an honors course). Courses in art, music, speech, drama, health, PE, shop, home economics, computer science, and other elective courses are not considered in the computation of the GPA.

Q: How does Principia College view AP and IB exams?

A: A student who enters Principia with satisfactory scores on AP (3 or higher), IB (4 or higher in higher level examinations), and/or CLEP exams (scores are evaluated according to American Council on Education standards) in subjects that parallel courses given at Principia may receive college credit with approval of the department chairs concerned. No further examination or fee is required.

Q: Does Principia offer any athletic scholarships? 

A: As an NCAA Division III school, Principia is not allowed to offer athletic scholarships. 

Q. How do I apply for a scholarship?

A: Students wishing to be considered for merit & affiliate awards should complete the separate scholarship application available on their applicant portal prior to admittance. All academic scholarships are awarded automatically based on academic information included in your admissions application. Applicants completing Principia’s holistic assessment in lieu of SAT/ACT test scores will have these results reviewed and scored for scholarship eligibility based on Principia College established standards. No separate scholarship application is required for academic scholarships.

Q: If I am admitted, when do I have to notify Principia of my decision? 

A: While we welcome acceptance notification to Principia College at any time, students begin advising and registration in May, so we encourage you to notify us of your decision as soon as possible.

Q: When should I arrive on campus?

A: Arrive in time for New Student Orientation or sports camp if you are playing a fall sport. Contact the Admissions Office for information on how to get to campus.

Q: How should I get my stuff to campus?

A: We ask that you ship trunks, packing crates, bikes, and luggage to campus no earlier than two weeks before your arrival (three weeks for international students). Indicate that you are a new student, as well as the name of your College house on each item you ship. You must pick up these items from the campus mailroom when you arrive.

This is your pre-arrival shipping address:

Your Name
New Student
1 Maybeck Place
Principia College
Elsah, IL 62028

Q: Can I request a house?

A: Not for freshmen housing. Student Life will consider requests from transfer students going into upperclass housing. Assignments are made based on space availability.

Q: When will I find out who my roommate is?

A: You will find out (and meet) your roommate once you arrive on campus for orientation. You'll change rooms and roommates each semester.

Q: When can I make flight reservations to return home after exams?

A: Find out when your last final exam is scheduled. Exam times are determined by the hour the course meets during the semester. You may leave campus after your finals are completed.

Q: Can I bring my car?

A: You can have a vehicle (car, truck, motorcycle, moped, Goped, motorized scooter, or Segway) on campus if you register it with Campus Security. Bring your driver's license, proof of insurance, and $100 registration fee to Campus Security during New Student Orientation. Yearly registration is required for all student vehicles. 

Q: What should I bring to campus?

A: Check out our packing list for information about what to bring and what to leave at home.

Q: Can I wait to purchase housing necessities until after I arrive on campus?

A: Target, Walmart and other stores are all located within 20 minutes of campus, and major shopping areas in St. Louis are 45–60 minutes away. Supplementary items are available through the College Store.

Q: Can I work on campus?

A: Yes. Most students work an average of 5–15 hours per week, though some occasionally petition to work 15–20 hours per week. On-campus jobs range from office receptionists and fitness center attendants to sales associates and library assistants. All student employees are required to work in our Dining Services or Facilities Departments before taking on other jobs. Learn more about student employment here.

You must be legally eligible to work in the United States per Department of Homeland Security guidelines. Proof of such eligibility must be provided before your first day of work. Acceptable forms of identification are detailed on the I-9 form, and all must be original documents. A school ID card with a photograph or school report card may be presented in place of a driver’s license. Visit the student employment page for more information. 

Q: What is the Student Right to Know information for Principia College?

A: Here is the Student Right to Know information.

Q. Where can I use my Meal Plan?

A. The meal plan consists of two accounts, the Meal Plan Account and Plus Account. The Meal Plan Account can be used in either Student Dining or Piasa Pub. The Plus Account can be used in the College Store, Piasa Pub, and Student Dining.

Q.What is the difference between the two accounts?

A. The Meal Plan Account is for meals and can only be used in Student Dining and Piasa Pub. The Meal Plan Account receives the student discount for non-packaged items and is not taxed. The Plus Account can be used at any of the Dining Services venues: College Store, Piasa Pub, and Student Dining. The account is subject to tax, receives the student discount in Student Dining only, and can have points added to it during the semester. The Plus Account is flexible and can be used to purchase toiletries, school supplies, a snack from the College Store, a quick bite to eat from the Piasa Pub, and if the need arises, meals at the Student Dining.

Q. What is Student Dining?

A.Student Dining is your best value for your Meal Plan because pricing is at a food cost level for students on the meal plan. Student Dining serves mostly made-from-scratch items and the more popular prepared items. During each semester, breakfast, lunch, and dinner are served seven days a week.

Q. What is the Piasa Pub?

A.The Piasa Pub is a fast casual eatery serving subs, pizza, salads, sandwiches, ice cream, and assorted beverages prepared by students. 

Q. What is the College Store?

A.The College Store sells a wide variety of items from school supplies to chips, frozen entrées to toiletries, and Principia insignia apparel to drinks. 

Q. Can I treat a friend or family with my Meal Plan?

A.The Meal Plan is there for you to use and purchase what you want, including purchases for guests, but you must be present at the time of any purchase with your PrinCard. Please take into consideration that the Meal Plan is designed to provide meals for one person for the school term, so budget your account appropriately.

Q. What do I do when I run low on points on my Meal Plan account?

A.When the points on your Meal Plan Account are depleted, you can use the points on your Plus Account. Additional points can be added to your Plus Account at any time, but there is a 3% fee and a minimum addition of $50. Points left over at the end of spring semester that were not part of the original Plus Account will be credited to any outstanding PrinBill charges, and then the remaining balance will be refunded via direct deposit. 

Q. How do I add points to my Plus account?

A.Points can be added through Principia Marketplace. Points can be added with a 3% fee and minimum $50 dollars added (i.e. $50 added on the account costs $51.50; $100 added on the account costs $103).

Q. How can I save money on my Meal Plan?

A.The biggest way to save money on your plan is to initially select the right plan for you. Making the right choice in the beginning can save you more than 10% of the cost of purchasing additional points during the term by eliminating the add-on fee and taxes.

Q. If I lose my PrinCard and need to get a new one, what do I do? 

A.You should go to Campus Security to get a new PrinCard. If Campus Security is closed, you should come to Dining Services and inform the manager on duty that you need to get a new PrinCard. You will be issued a temporary voucher that will allow you to temporarily purchase meals. The voucher will then need to be taken to Campus Security so they can make your new PrinCard.