PRINCETON UNIVERSITY JSI

PROGRAM OVERVIEW

The School of Public and International Affairs has hosted the Public Policy & International Affairs (PPIA) Junior Summer Institute (JSI) at Princeton University for over 30 years. In this period, students from diverse backgrounds with a wide range of life experiences have come to campus to further their commitment to public service.

The goal of the program is to prepare students from diverse backgrounds for graduate study and careers in public policy.  We believe that by encouraging a diverse cadre of leaders to consider careers in public service, we will strengthen the leadership capacity of government and nonprofit organizations throughout the world.

The PPIA Junior Summer Institute is a program structured to introduce or strengthen skills in economics, statistics, policy analysis, writing, and public speaking.  At the end of the program, students present a comprehensive final report on a current policy issue that draws on the skills acquired in their coursework, policy analysis and writing.

Competitive applicants will have completed at least one course in college-level economics, mathematics, or statistics; or AP/IB calculus, economics, or statistics and have junior or senior standing in an accredited U.S. college after completing the summer institute.

COURSES/CURRICULUM

Required coursework will include classroom instruction in:

Quantitative Methods for Policy Analysis (intro/intermediate and advanced level courses offered)

Economics for Policy Analysis (intro/intermediate and advanced level courses offered)

Policy Writing and Analysis

Policy Workshop (International and Domestic)

It is strongly recommended that students prepare for the summer program in advance:

Intro-intermediate courses will require a background in algebra or statistics and have junior or senior standing in an accredited U.S. college after completing the summer institute. This includes 1) solving systems of equations, 2) linear functions, including linear equations in slope-intercept form and, and 3) quadratic equations. Advanced courses will require calculus background, including knowledge of 1) derivatives, 2) partial derivatives, 3)integration, and 4) maximization.

The policy workshop will examine a specific issue in domestic policy or international affairs. The policy workshop also will develop students' ability to use research skills, write policy memos, effectively integrate skills obtained in statistics and economics into policy reports, and make group presentations.

Students will participate in in lunch meetings and seminars with practitioners and researchers on a range of topics. Field trips and social activities offer enrichment as well.

COURSE CREDITS

There is no credit given by Princeton University, as PPIA Junior Summer Institute courses are not part of the undergraduate or graduate degree programs. However, individual students may pursue credit at their home institutions by submitting the PPIA JSI course descriptions, grades and evaluations.

FINANCIAL AID

Summer Institute students receive full tuition, housing and reimbursement for domestic travel to and from the program. The student stipend for living expenses for 2024 is $2,000. This stipend is intended to cover the cost-of-living expenses incurred throughout the duration of the program.

CALENDAR

CONTACT INFORMATION

School of Public and International Affairs

PPIA Junior Summer Institute at Princeton University

Graduate Admissions Office 

116 Robertson Hall

Princeton, NJ 08544-1013

Phone: 609-258-7917

E-mail: spiajsi@princeton.edu

To learn more please visit Princeton’s website here.