Princeton University is the birthplace of some of the world’s most famous and, sometimes, just plain quirky alumni. Its reputation as second fiddle to Harvard and Yale flies in the face of these powerhouse alumni who have taken the world by storm (or by pen and paper, as it were). Let’s stroll through the halls of history and meet the Princetonians who’ve left their mark on the world.

Well Known Princeton University Alums

1. F. Scott Fitzgerald

Before penning The Great Gatsby and providing every high school student with an understanding of the American Dream, F. Scott Fitzgerald was a proud Princeton student. Sure, he didn’t finish his degree (because who needs one when you’re busy living out the extravagant, tragic life of Jay Gatsby), but maybe that’s the true Princeton spirit we should be celebrating. Although Fitzgerald may not have been a model student, he did leave behind the essential lesson: if you want to be a literary genius, start with a lot of parties.

2. Sonia Sotomayor

Sonia Sotomayor graduated from Princeton with a degree in history. She then proceeded to become the first Latina Supreme Court justice in U.S. history. When you grow up, she’s everything you want to be — intelligent, driven, and capable of delivering a court ruling that leaves everyone clapping or cowering in fear.

Also, if you thought Princeton was all about stuffy academics, just know that Sotomayor was a social butterfly during her time there. Word is, she was the person to go to for advice on legal matters and how to deal with your mom calling you 12 times a day.

3. Jeff Bezos

Jeff Bezos was just another Princeton graduate with a degree in electrical engineering and computer science before becoming a world-known business magnate. While his peers were dreaming about becoming world-changing physicists or philosophers, Bezos was thinking, “What if I could sell books on the internet and change the world?” A little thing like the fact that it was 1994 and people still thought AOL was a thing didn’t stop him. By the way, Bezos probably could have called his startup “PrincetonBooks.com,” but “Amazon” was much more in line with the scale of his ambition.

4. Brooke Shields

Not all famous Princeton alumni are known for their intellectual prowess (though that is a key selling point for the many major employees who recruit from this Ivy League school). Enter Brooke Shields, who managed to balance her time at Princeton with an incredibly successful career as an actress and model. Before becoming the face of blue jeans, perfume, and the general concept of ’80s chic, Shields was earning her degree in French literature at Princeton.

While she was busy rocking the runway and becoming the “It Girl,” her academic life was nothing to scoff at. Perhaps what sets Shields apart, though, is her dedication to both intellect and glamour. She’s the kind of person who could lecture you on Voltaire while looking fabulous in a trench coat.

5. Michelle Obama 

Before becoming the First Lady and launching her highly successful initiative to get everyone to eat their veggies, Michelle Obama was walking the hallowed halls of Princeton University, where she majored in Sociology and minored in African American Studies. She has since made waves as one of U.S. history’s most well-respected, fashionable, and revolutionary first ladies. Princeton is lucky to call her an alumna!

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Princeton Admission

Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers sent two out of every three of our package clients to Princeton over the last ten years because we’ve mastered the art of cultivating a compelling singular hook that shows Princeton admission officers that you’re worth taking the chance of admitting.

If you would like to enlist our help in optimizing your child’s odds of admission to the proud alma mater of all these famous alumni and the thousands more making their mark on the world, fill out our complimentary consultation form and we’ll be in touch.