Principia needs some basic information from you to activate your file:

Note: your file will be listed in Principia’s database alphabetically by your family name.  Make sure your family name is on everything you submit so we will know it came from you. 

If you have easy access to the internet, you can get all application materials online.  If it is costly for you to use the internet, we can send you an application packet.

Your first and most urgent task: register for SAT and TOEFL.

Determine whether you need to take both the SAT (also called the Reasoning Test) and TOEFL.  You must register well in advance of the testing date.  Check with your admissions counselor for a definitive answer about your own situation. 

The SAT will be given world-wide on the following Saturdays: October 6, November 3, and December 1.  Please arrange to take it on one of these 3 dates.  If you are too late for these dates, it is possible to test on January 26.  In this case, however, your application will not be given serious consideration until we receive your scores in late February and it will not be ready for the first round of admission decisions.

If you have a credit card, you can register online for the SAT at www.collegeboard.com.  The registration deadlines are September 10 for the October test, October 2 for the November test, October 30 for the December test, and December 26 for the January test.  Students in Kenya and Nigeria must register even earlier.  Students in Benin, Cameroon, Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, or Togo may not register online or pay by credit card.  You will need to mail your registration form to the U.S. with a money order, so allow extra time.

In most countries there are many more testing dates for the TOEFL than for the SAT.  If you have a credit card, register online at www.ets.org/toefl.  If you do not have a credit card, you will have to mail your registration form.  Again, allow extra time for this.

There are two different forms of the TOEFL: the internet-based (TOEFL iBT) and the paper-based.  Unless your typing skills are very marginal, please register for the internet-based.  It is a more informative test and is scored faster.

Important note: for both the SAT and the TOEFL, you must indicate Principia College’s testing code, which is 1630.  In this way both you and Principia will get an official copy of your score report.  You will need yours for your visa interview.  The College needs a copy for your file.

When you register, you will also be instructed to create an account for yourself with a username and password.  Note them exactly.  Please share them with your admissions counselor, as it is a faster way to access your scores.

Once you have registered for the test(s), you can complete the other admission requirements in any order, as long as we receive everything by February 15.  Please do the two financial items last.  In early March eight faculty and staff, who comprise the Admissions Committee, will read each applicant’s file of materials.