Princeton, facing a loss of competitiveness in recruiting against other Ivies, begins serious consideration of admitting undergraduate women starting in 1963. The Critical Languages program paved the way, enabling a few women transfer students to earn degrees. By 1967, the Trustees had approved women entering the class of 1973 as freshman in 1969. Go here for a detailed timeline of Princeton's decisions regarding coeducation.

Reflections: "A brick thrown through my window - now and then you could still hear 'girls go home!'"

Firsts: Commencement features both a woman valedictorian (Cynthia Chase ’75) and salutatorian (Lisa Siegman ’75).

In 1971 Princeton created women’s varsity intercollegiate sports programs. Subsequently, many alumnae have become Olympians.

Reflections: "I was not prepared for classmates who did not know where Arkansas was located"

Firsts: Michele Woods ’84 becomes the first female USG president.

Reflections: "At Princeton, I learned how to crash and burn. I bombed my first orchestra audition, I bombed a lab report, I got dumped, I burnt my burnt my sleeve off in a Chem lab gone wrong. I called home and said, “I have never worked so hard for a B.” But, I had so much fun."

Firsts: Tiger Inn, the last of the all-male eating clubs, admits women.

Notable Alumnae

Reflections: "In 2003-2007, women could be bold, and they were welcome - but for me, it wasn’t possible yet to be imperfect, to be vulnerable, or to be too different"

Firsts: The entering freshman class (of 2006) becomes Princeton’s first with an equal number of men and women.

Reflections: "Princeton is the bond that never ever dies."

Firsts: Nine of the eleven eating clubs elect women as club presidents

Notable Alumnae