By distributing one semester’s worth of work over two semesters! The sophomore research seminars meet only once a week (rather than twice). Homework reading and writing assignments follow suit: the amount of work you would expect to do in one week of a standard Princeton course would, in the sophomore research seminars, be distributed across two weeks.

No! This is one way in which the sophomore research seminars are modular. Although each course will average 80 minutes of instructional time each week, the amount of time spent in class or precept together will shift depending on collective need across the semester. For example, in weeks in which students are exploring possible topics or during which the overall academic workload is predictably high (e.g., midterm week), the class might only meet during the precept block (e.g., 10:00-10:50 a.m.). But in weeks when students are sharing and discussing their research findings-in-progress, the class might use the regular class time and part of the precept block to ensure everyone has a chance to receive peer feedback.

Students receive course credit only upon completing the second half of the sequence in the spring (e.g., completing WRI 221 after WRI 220). So the fall course is a prerequisite for the spring, and students who drop the sequence before completing the spring course will receive no credit. Bottom line: you have to complete both semesters of the seminar to earn one course credit.

We know that early-morning classes are a big ask. We really, really do. But by holding the sophomore research seminars at a time of day when fewer other classes meet (especially classes that are frequented by sophomores), we minimize possible conflicts with other courses—and keep you from having to make a tough decision between this research opportunity and another once-in-a-lifetime Princeton course.

Because we want to tailor the sophomore research seminars to your intellectual interests! In other words, the main function of the (brief!) application is not evaluating which students should be admitted to each course. Instead, both WRI 220/221 and WRI 230/231 are both going to be organized around the student projects pursued in each course, and the application information will give Alex and Emma a chance to tailor their syllabi this summer with your academic passions and plan in mind.

Absolutely not! Although the sophomore research seminars are each organized around a cluster of similar academic disciplines (the humanities for WRI 220/221 and the social sciences for WRI 230/231), sophomores from all academic departments with any academic interests and any level of research experience are welcome.

If you have specific questions about WRI 220/221 or WRI 230/231, you can reach out to Emma ([email protected]) or Alex ([email protected]) directly. If you have other questions, you can route them through the Writing Program’s general contact page.