Views
The least left-leaning entering Class the ‘Prince’ has recorded thus far, the Class of 2028 is entering Princeton at a divisive time in the nation and on campus. Read on to find out how the Class views affirmative action, prominent alumni — including Michelle Obama ’85 — and rules regarding transgender athletes.
Princeton Issues
Racial diversity in the Class of 2028 was largely untouched by the Supreme Court ban on affirmative action. Among incoming students, 35 percent viewed affirmative action strongly or somewhat unfavorably, 11.1 percent higher than last year. Only 11.5 percent of respondents viewed legacy admissions strongly or somewhat favorably. Thinking beyond their time at Princeton, 74.9 percent of incoming students described their career aspirations as being in the nation’s service or in the service of humanity, nearly 10 percent higher than what the Class of 2024 described of their postgraduate plans in this year’s senior survey. Over 80 percent of respondents reported that the “Gaza Solidarity Encampment” did not impact their decision to attend Princeton.
Social Issues
Approximately 30 percent of respondents feel unfavorably towards rules that bar trans women from competing in women’s sports, while 56.6 percent view legal and accessible gender-affirming medical care for trans youth favorably. Recruited athletes were much more likely than their non-athletic peers to favor such restrictions.
Politics
The Class of 2028 is the least left-leaning incoming class in recent years. Sixty-five percent of respondents described their political persuasions as being either somewhat or very left-leaning. In the Class of 2025, over 70 percent of incoming freshmen reported being on the left politically.
Alumni
The Class of 2028 had vastly varying opinions on Princeton alumni, with respondents largely viewing Michelle Obama ’85 favorably. Over half of respondents did not know enough to form an opinion on Associate Justices of the Supreme Court Samuel Alito ’72 and Elena Kagan ’81.
Perceptions of Princeton
The majority of survey respondents agree that Princeton is a racially and economically diverse community, an environment where people are always studying, an intellectual haven where free speech and dissent are welcomed, a place where students genuinely seek to serve humanity, and a place where they deserve to be. However, respondents were the most divided on whether or not Princeton has a mental health crisis or whether or not it is an activist school.