Seven veterans and one reservist are among the first group of transfer students to get admitted into Princeton University in almost 30 years.

The Ivy League school announced Wednesday it will reopen its long-shuttered transfer program this fall and has acceptance letters out to 13 prospective students — the majority of whom have a military background.

Janet Lavin Rapelye, Princeton’s dean of admission, said in a news release the school is “especially pleased” with the quality of the prospective students.

In lifting its moratorium on transfer applications, in place since 1990, Princeton was especially interested in students attending community colleges, students from low-income households and student veterans.

Princeton spokesman Michael Hotchkiss said in an email the school’s recruitment strategies include establishing relationships with organizations that help military students in higher education, including Service to School and The Leadership Scholar Program for Marines. The admitted transfer students represent the Marines, Army and Navy, he said.

“The recent transfer admission of students by Princeton University, and that a majority are student veterans, is deeply gratifying to witness,” said Barrett Bogue, a vice president at the nonprofit Student Veterans of America. “We know that student veterans are talent hiding in plain sight and are more likely to succeed in higher education compared to their peers. That Princeton recognizes the same is a testament to their commitment towards investing in the veteran community.”

In all, the school received more than 1,400 applications for the fall 2018 cohort. The 13 selected have until May 22 to accept the school’s offer.

“The committee was impressed with their intellectual curiosity, leadership, maturity and diverse perspectives, which they will bring to our campus, and we look forward to meeting them,” Rapelye said.

Military Times contributor and former reporter Natalie Gross hosts the Spouse Angle podcast. She grew up in a military family and has a master's degree in journalism from Georgetown University.

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Princeton opens doors to vet transfer students
The Ivy League school will reopen its long-shuttered transfer program this fall and has acceptance letters out to 13 prospective students — the majority of whom have a military background.
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