Your Guide to Living, Learning, and Researching at Princeton Seminary
Welcome to Princeton Theological Seminary! As a visiting scholar, you will be joining a vibrant community committed to academic inquiry and global engagement. This guide brings together essential information to help you settle in quickly, access campus resources, and enjoy all that Princeton and the surrounding region offer.
Travel Planning & Arrival Expectations
Before departing for Princeton, review your travel arrangements and confirm your arrival schedule. Scholars typically arrive between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. on weekdays so that Public Safety and campus offices can assist with keys, check-in, and orientation. If you anticipate arriving outside these hours, please notify the Seminary in advance so accommodations can be made.
Email & Technology Setup
Your Princeton Seminary email will be your primary communication channel during your stay. It will be firstname.lastname@ptsem.edu. Your coordinator will send instructions on how to access your seminary address to the personal email address we have on file for you. Please contact IT at Help.Desk@ptsem.edu if you have questions on accessing your account. Before arriving, activate your account using the instructions sent by the Seminary. This email gives you access to campus systems, library resources, research tools, and important community announcements.
Visa, Documentation & Insurance Requirements
All J-1 Visiting Scholars are required to maintain valid health insurance that meets U.S. Department of State standards for the duration of their stay. Please review your documentation carefully before travel, including your passport, DS-2019, and any supporting materials.
Prepare for Health & Safety Needs
Understanding U.S. healthcare before arrival can make your transition smoother. Familiarize yourself with how primary care, urgent care, and emergency services operate. You may also wish to bring any prescription medications you require, along with copies of medical documents or vaccination history that may assist local providers.
What to Prepare Before Traveling
- Valid passport, visa documents, and DS-2019
- Proof of required health insurance
- Printed arrival instructions and campus contact numbers
- Prescription medications (enough for the first month)
- Laptop and any research equipment
- Weather-appropriate clothing for New Jersey’s climate
- Emergency contact information
- Your Seminary email login credentials
If you have questions before your arrival, or if your travel plans change, please contact the Seminary so we can support your transition. Public Safety is available 24 hours a day, and Admissions or your coordinator can answer questions about housing, transportation, or research needs.
Checking In at Princeton Seminary
If you are driving, please make an appointment ahead of time with Public Safety so they are prepared to meet you by emailing public.safety@ptsem.edu. Once you arrive, you can report directly to the Public Safety Office in Lower Lever of Templeton Hall to obtain a temporary ID, apartment keys and parking permit. It is recommended that you arrive no later than 4:00 p.m., Monday – Friday.
If you are driving and arrive after the Seminary offices have closed, please inform Public Safety and your coordinator in advance. They will arrange to have your temporary ID and keys delivered to you upon your arrival. To contact Public Safety when you arrive, please call (609) 497-7777.
Keys, Building Access & Identification
Your Seminary ID card grants access to campus buildings, the library, dining hall, and select residential spaces. Public Safety will issue your ID when you arrive. You will also receive your room or apartment key and instructions for secure entry.
Once you have settled in, please visit the Public Safety Office located in the LL level of Templeton to obtain your permanent ID. The Princeton Theological Seminary ID is required to access your apartment, Seminary and Princeton University libraries, CRW gym and to purchase declining balances for meals. All individuals 13 years and older will need to have their picture taken and be issued an ID. If you have a visa, please also visit the Office of Multicultural Relations located in Templeton suite 201 to validate your visa status in our SEVIS system.
Office Hours & Holiday Closures
Most administrative offices are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. During Seminary holidays, offices may be closed or operating with limited staff. During the summer months (the third week of May through the last Friday in August), the offices close at 1:00pm on Friday. We recommend reviewing the Academic Calendar or calling ahead if your arrival coincides with a holiday.
Mailroom & Package Pickup
The mailroom will provide campus mailboxes to all visiting scholars. When you arrive, please visit the mailroom located on the lower level of MacKay Campus Center to receive your mailbox assignment and key. With a campus mailbox, you can receive mail at the Seminary through the United State Postal Service as well as through campus mail. If you are living at CRW instead of Payne Hall, you will have a campus mailbox for internal campus mail but should use your CRW address for personal letters and packages.
If you live at Payne Hall, your mail from the United States Postal Service should be addressed:
Your name
Princeton Theological Seminary
SBN Number
P.O. Box 5204
Princeton, NJ 08543-5204
For other package carriers (UPS, FedEx Etc.) including Amazon packages please use:
Your name
Princeton Theological Seminary
SBN Number
43 College Rd West
Princeton, NJ 08540
When a package arrives, you will receive an email to your @ptsem.edu address with directions on how to pick it up.
Mackay Campus Center is accessible Monday-Friday 8:30am-7:00pm and Saturday 9:00am-3:00pm. The mailroom staff is available during normal business hours, Monday-Friday 8:30am-4:30pm.
Post Office
The U. S. Post Office in Princeton is located at 259 Nassau Street, Suite 2, Princeton, NJ 08542. This is behind the 7-11 convenience store on Nassau Street. The hours are Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., Saturday 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m. Sunday—closed.
Campus Wi-Fi & Technology Access
Once you arrive on campus, you will be able to connect to the PTS secured wireless network, which has Internet and full PTS network access. After you choose PTS-Secured-Wireless you will be prompted to log in. Use your PTS network account username and password. All students, staff, and faculty should connect to the secured wireless if possible. If you have difficulty logging in to the secure wireless network, sign into the PTS-Guest network first and contact the Help Desk by emailing help.desk@ptsem.edu.
Guest Wireless
To connect to the guest network, which has limited Internet access, choose: PTS-Guest
The password is: PTSInternet1812
Technology and Printing
The Seminary uses the PaperCut system to allow you to print at the library and throughout campus using your ID. To load the program onto your computer please follow the PaperCut instructions or contact IT Help Desk at Help.Desk@ptsem.edu.
Other Information Technology Topics:
Emergency Contacts & Safety Information
Public Safety
For any emergency on campus, contact Public Safety immediately. Call boxes around campus connect directly to officers who can assist 24/7 (see the map below). Public Safety can help with lockouts, safety escorts, and urgent concerns.
Facilities
For plumbing, heating or electrical problems in your housing that occur between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm, Monday-Friday, call the Facilities Office at (609) 497-7778. For maintenance issues that occur after hours or on weekends, call Public Safety at (609) 497-7777.
New Jersey Poison Control
If you are concerned about a drug, chemical, food, or poison exposure or are feeling sick from something you ate, touched or smelled please call 1(800) 222-1222 or visit their website.
First 48 Hours Checklist
- Pick up your key and Seminary ID
- Connect to the campus Wi-Fi network
- Locate your mailbox or package pickup spot
- Review dining hall hours
- Visit the library and explore study spaces
- Save emergency numbers in your phone
- Check the shuttle schedule if you plan to use it
- Walk the campus to get oriented
Understanding U.S. Healthcare
Healthcare in the United States includes a network of private providers, urgent care clinics, and hospitals. Unlike many other countries, routine care is not centralized, and costs can vary depending on your insurance plan. Before seeking care, review your insurance coverage and bring your insurance card to every appointment.
The insurance plan you chose will give you a list of providers that you can use for medical care. If you need medical care, look through that list and call the provider of your choice to confirm that they take your plan. They may bill you up front for the cost and then you will submit the bill to your insurance company for possible reimbursement. Many insurance companies will not pay any of your medical costs until you have reached your deductible. Your deductible is the amount you pay before your insurance starts to pay. For example, if you have a $2,000 deductible, you’ll pay the first $2,000 of covered services yourself. Once your deductible has been paid you usually only have to pay a minor copayment. If you wish to visit a medical facility that is not covered by your insurance, you always have the option to pay for the services directly. This can be expensive but often if you pay for the full cost of the service up front, they will give you a discount.
There are a variety of medical options available to you based upon the level of care you need and how quickly you need it. If you are experiencing mild symptoms such as a fever under 100 degrees F (37.8C), minor aches and pains, you may want to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over the counter medication such as Tylenol first. The closest places to purchase over the counter medication would be the Princeton University Store at 36 University Pl and the CVS at 172 Nassau St. Over the counter medications are available for purchase without a prescription and include those for general aches and pains, headaches, stomach issues, allergies, rashes, colds, eye care, and more.
Health Insurance Requirements for Visiting Scholars
All J-1 Visiting Scholars must maintain health insurance that meets minimum coverage requirements established by the U.S. Department of State. Your insurance must remain active for the entire duration of your stay at Princeton Seminary.
Tip: Bring printed copies of your insurance documents and save digital versions on your phone in case you need them during travel or medical visits.
Where to Go for Medical Care
Self-Care & Over-the-Counter Remedies
Many minor illnesses—such as colds, allergies, or sore throats—can be managed with over-the-counter medications available at local pharmacies (CVS, Walgreens, Rite Aid). These items can be purchased without a prescription.
If you are experiencing mild symptoms such as a fever under 100 degrees F (37.8C), minor aches and pains, you may want to rest, drink plenty of fluids and take over the counter medication such as Tylenol first. The closest places to purchase over the counter medication would be the Princeton University Store at 36 University Pl and the CVS at 172 Nassau St. Over the counter medications are available for purchase without a prescription and include those for general aches and pains, headaches, stomach issues, allergies, rashes, colds, eye care, and more.
Primary Care Providers (PCPs)
For non-urgent medical needs, routine check-ups, or ongoing health concerns, you may visit a primary care provider. You can find primary care physicians available to you through your insurance by calling the insurance company or visiting their website. Your primary care physician may even be available for a virtual visit. These visits typically require an appointment, and wait times may vary.
Urgent Care Clinics
Urgent care Clinics are ideal for illnesses or injuries that require prompt attention but are not life-threatening. Most centers accept walk-ins and provide faster service than emergency rooms. Below are the two closest Urgent Care Clinics to Princeton Seminary.
Princeton Primary and Urgent Care – (609) 919-0009
707 Alexander Rd, Suite 201 Princeton, NJ 08540
This facility offers both urgent care for immediate assistance and primary care for things that you would make an appointment for in advance like getting a prescription, check-ups, long term ailments, and referral needs. This facility does not have an x-ray machine and may not take your insurance (please call-in advance to confirm). The cost is approximately $175 per visit if insurance is not able to be applied.
Infocus Urgent Care – (609) 799-7009
64 Princeton Hightstown Rd, West Windsor, NJ 08550
This clinic offers urgent care, lab work, and x-rays. Please call-in advance to check if they take your insurance. The cost is approximately $175 per visit if insurance is not able to be applied.
Emergency Rooms (ER)
The Emergency Room should only be used for serious medical emergencies. If you require an ambulance, please dial 911. The nearest Emergency Room is Penn Medicine Princeton 13 Medical Center located at 1 Plainsboro Rd, Plainsboro, NJ 08536 (directions/parking). You may also drive there or have a driving service take you.
In an emergency, always dial 911.
Emergency operators will dispatch medical assistance to your location immediately.
Urgent Care vs Emergency Room
Urgent Care:
- Minor Injuries
- Fevers and Colds
- Vomiting and Nausea
- Diarrhea
- Dehydration
- Strains or Simple Bone Breaks
- Minor Cuts
- Mild Asthma Attacks
- Pain with Urination
- Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
- Urinary Tract Infections
Emergency Room (ER):
- Shortness of Breath
- Chest Pain, Left Arm Pain or Left Jaw Pain
- Serious Burns and Cuts
- Seizures
- Severe Allergic Reaction
- Stroke Symptoms, Including Slurred Speech or Numbness
- A Change in Mental Status
- Loss of Consciousness
- Multiple Injuries in Areas like the Ribs, Skull, Face or Pelvis
- Pregnant with Vaginal Bleeding, or Pelvic/Abdominal Pain
Life on Campus
Princeton Seminary fosters a vibrant and hospitable community grounded in scholarship, spiritual formation, and shared life. As a visiting scholar, you are invited to participate in campus events, worship services, and informal gatherings throughout the year. The Seminary’s walkable campus offers quiet places to study, scenic outdoor paths, and opportunities to connect with students, faculty, and fellow scholars.
Dining Hall
The Seminary Dining Hall offers a welcoming space for meals and community conversations. Scholars are invited to enjoy a variety of rotating menu options, including vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-friendly dishes. The Dining Hall strives to provide fresh, seasonal offerings and often incorporates local produce when available.
The PTS Dining Hall, located on the main level of the Mackay Campus Center, warmly welcomes members of the Seminary community and visitors for breakfast and lunch, Monday through Friday, throughout the academic year (excluding holidays). For seasonal updates, including summer hours, please refer to Inside Princeton Seminary.
Our dining program features an all-you-care-to-eat experience for both breakfast and lunch, offering a diverse range of nutritious options—including a daily vegan selection, as well as gluten-friendly offerings. Dining is committed to sustainability, sourcing as many ingredients as possible from within a 120-mile radius, including fresh produce from the Seminary’s own Farminary.
Brick Café
The Brick Café is located on the ground level of the Wright Library. We offer coffee, tea, specialty drinks, lite breakfast and lunch during select hours throughout the academic year. The Café is an ideal place to meet colleagues, enjoy a study break, or grab something quick between events.
Campus Rhythms & the Academic Year
Campus life follows the Seminary’s academic calendar, with events, dining hours, and office schedules shifting slightly during breaks or holidays. Scholars may find the busiest seasons to be the fall and spring semesters, with quieter rhythms during January and summer sessions.
Wright Library serves as the primary research hub for visiting scholars, offering extensive print and digital collections in theology, biblical studies, church history, ethics, and related fields. The library provides quiet study spaces, knowledgeable staff, and access to specialized materials that support a wide range of scholarly projects.
Wright Library, located at 25 Library Place and named for the first African American graduate of the Seminary, Theodore Sedgwick Wright, provides collections and services in support of teaching, learning, and research in theology, in support of Princeton Seminary’s mission. Shaped by two centuries of development, Wright Library embraces its role at the intersection of the theological record and the community of scholars, continues the Seminary’s commitment to build collections of depth, and promotes an environment of broad access to the theological heritage.
Wright Library: Regular Term Hours
- Sunday – 2:00pm - 9:00pm
- Monday–Thursday – 8:00am - 9:00pm
- Friday – 8:00am – 6:00pm
- Saturday – 9:00am – 5:00pm
Research Resources
With over 1.3 million print and electronic books and journals in its general collections, a digital library (Theological Commons) of more than 150,000 resources, a robust Special Collections and Archives department of rare books, manuscripts, archives, cuneiform tablets, art, artifacts, and digital archival collections, as well as an inspiringly beautiful building, Wright Library is a heavily utilized resource.
Your Princeton Seminary ID card will serve as your library card. You can activate it and open a library account by visiting the Circulation Desk (located immediately to the right when walking through the front gates inside the library). You will be able to check out up to 50 books for 4 weeks at a time with up to 5 renewals. You can recall books if a book you need is checked out, and request materials not available at the Wright Library through Interlibrary Loan. You will also have full off-site access to the library’s wide range of electronic resources through the library’s OpenAthens authentication using your seminary e-mail address.
Detailed information about policies, databases, research resources, FAQ, reference services, building map and shelving locations and much more can be found on the library website.
Search Tools
Browser extensions are available for facilitating discovery as well. Check out the curated list of Research Guides. This guide has prioritized the Electronic Resources available to you. You’re welcome to follow Wright Library on Instagram, Facebook, and X.
Library Support & Consultations
Skilled librarians are available to assist with research strategies, citation tools, database navigation, and identifying relevant materials. Scholars may schedule one-on-one consultations or ask questions at the reference desk.
Wright Library Staff
Wright Library is led by Chip Dobbs-Allsopp, James Lenox Librarian and Professor of Old Testament, and Evelyn Frangakis, Managing Director of the Library.
For questions about access to digital materials or the library website, contact Virginia Dearborn, Discovery & Web Services Librarian.
For specific research questions or interests in primary sources, contact Brian Shetler, PhD, Head of Special Collections & Archives.
For purchase suggestions and questions about the collection, you may contact Jeremy Wallace, PhD, Assistant Director for Research and Public Services.
Library Telephone Numbers
Circulation Desk – (609) 497-7940
Reference – (609) 497-7933
Special Collections Main Number – (609) 497-7950
Visiting Scholars will want to contact access@princeton.libanswers.com or calling (609) 258-5737. You may also check their website for Visitors Services.
About Princeton
Princeton is a community located in Mercer County, New Jersey with a population of 30,000. Princeton has been the home of Princeton University since 1756. Although Princeton is a “college town”, there are other important institutions in the area. The community is roughly equidistant from New York and Philadelphia. Princeton has been connected to New York and Philadelphia (via Princeton Junction) since the nineteenth century. The community is close to many major highways that can take residents to both cities. While the Amtrak ride time is similar to each city, the commuter train ride to New York—via New Jersey Transit’s Northeast Corridor Line—is generally much shorter than the equivalent train ride to Philadelphia, which involves a transfer to SEPTA trains in Trenton.
Families residing in Seminary housing may enroll their children in the Princeton Public School district. Enrollment is determined by your residence address, and school staff can guide you through required documentation such as proof of address and immunization records.
Schooling Options for Children
If you are traveling with children and wish to enroll them in public school, you can begin the registration process online. Public school options vary based on the location of your housing while studying at Princeton Theological Seminary. If you are staying at Charlotte Rachel Wilson Apartments (CRW), your child will attend the West Windsor Plainsboro School District: west-windsor-plainsboro.k12.nj.us. If you are staying in Payne Hall, your child will attend Princeton School District: princetonk12.org. When you contact the school to register your child, you will be required to show proof of residence. The letter you received from the seminary regarding your campus housing will serve as proof of residency. Should you need further documentation or have any questions please contact your coordinator.
Transportation
Public Safety Shuttle
Inter-Campus Shuttle
Princeton Seminary offers shuttle service between the West Windsor campus (Witherspoon Circle) and the Main campus (Library parking lot) Monday through Friday while classes are in session. There is no shuttle service on Princeton Seminary holidays or during unscheduled closings. This service is for students, staff, and CRW residents with a current Seminary ID. The shuttle helps those without cars get to and from campus for classes. Service is unavailable when campus is closed or classes aren’t in session. All times are approximate and may be affected by traffic. Riders must show a Princeton Seminary ID when requested.
Saturday Grocery Shuttle
This service assists students with transportation for grocery shopping. The Saturday grocery shuttle operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It departs Templeton Staff Lot on the hour, stopping at CRW (Witherspoon Circle) and dropping off at Nassau Park Pavilion (Wegmans) or Mercer Mall (Shop Rite). Return trips begin at 10:30 a.m. from Nassau Park Pavilion or Mercer Mall, continuing on the half hour until 1:30 p.m. The Princeton Seminary grocery shuttle is for the residential community only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Without a reservation, riders cannot board. Riders may be asked for their Seminary ID at any time. If you miss your scheduled ride, call security at 609-497-7777 to check availability for the next shuttle.
Princeton Municipal Transit Bus
Princeton’s Free Municipal Bus Service is free and open to the community. The expanded route consists of two loops beginning and ending at the Princeton Shopping Center. As Visiting Scholars, you would most likely want to utilize this service for traveling to Princeton Shopping Center which has McCaffrey’s, a local grocery store, as well as other eateries. To catch the bus walk along Nassau St and find the stop directly in front of Nassau Presbyterian Church across the street from Palmer Square. For your return trip get back on the bus where it dropped you off at the Shopping Center making sure you’re on the south loop. The bus will drop you off at Palmer Square on the opposite side of the street from where you started your journey. To plan a trip or track the bus to see where it is Download the Princeton Tripshot app or go online to https://princeton.tripshot.com to see where the bus is. For maps and schedules, click here.
Amtrak
Amtrak is a train service that runs throughout the United States and is also available from the Princeton Junction train station. To access Amtrak, you will take the Dinky to the Princeton Junction station and then board another train to continue to your destination such as Philadelphia, Washington DC, or Boston. For more information and to plan your trip on Amtrak, click here.
Tiger Transit
Princeton University’s Tiger Transit shuttle system is free to the public and operates on a fixed route schedule with stops located near most Princeton University major academic and administrative buildings, commuter parking lots, and housing facilities. As Visiting Scholars, you will most likely use this service for their Weekend Shopper route which operates Saturday and Sunday and travels to Whole Foods Market, Wegman’s, Target, and Trader Joe’s. To take the Weekend Shopper route you can pick it up going southbound at the bus stop on University Pl directly across from the Princeton University Store. Download the TripShot Mobile App to your mobile device for real-time bus arrival info on the go. You can even plan your trip by tracking the real-time arrival of your bus with TripShot(Link is external) right from your desktop or tablet. For map and schedules click here.
New Jersey Transit
New Jersey transit train lines run throughout New Jersey and includes transportation to New York City. The closest station is the Princeton Junction Train Station, which you can get to by taking the Dinky, a shuttle train which picks up at Princeton Station, located next to the Wawa. It is a 5-minute train ride between the two. Please note that tickets are only available for purchase at the station or through the NJ Transit app, not online. Tickets purchased on the app are not time sensitive and do not expire until you use them by activating them when you get on the train. To get to New York City from the Princeton Junction train station, you will travel on the NJ Transit train to Penn Station New York. Be sure not to get off at Penn Station Newark. Trains leave at least once an hour and often twice an hour. Once you arrive at Penn Station in New York you will be in midtown Manhattan. Then you can either catch a local MTA bus or subway line to your desired destination or simply explore on foot from there. Please note NJ Transit also stops at Newark Liberty International Airport. Once you arrive at the Airport Station you will be connected to the airport’s AirTran train which will take you to the correct terminal. Please plan to leave Princeton Junction an hour and a half to two hours prior to the time you’d like to arrive at the terminal to allow enough time for this process. For more information and to plan your trip on NJ Transit, click here.
Other Transportation services
Uber and Lyft are ride services you can schedule from an app on your smart phone. They are personal ride services like a taxi that will pick you up and drop you off at your specified location. These services require that you have a US phone number, however, if you don’t have a smartphone, you can still make an account and request a ride by visiting their websites, uber.com or lyft.com. Generally, Uber and Lyft or are more expensive than using public transportation such as the bus. Pricing depends on the distance of your ride and the time of day.
Public Safety Shuttle
Inter-Campus Shuttle
Princeton Seminary offers shuttle service between the West Windsor campus (Witherspoon Circle) and the Main campus (Library parking lot) Monday through Friday while classes are in session. There is no shuttle service on Princeton Seminary holidays or during unscheduled closings. This service is for students, staff, and CRW residents with a current Seminary ID. The shuttle helps those without cars get to and from campus for classes. Service is unavailable when campus is closed or classes aren’t in session. All times are approximate and may be affected by traffic. Riders must show a Princeton Seminary ID when requested.
Saturday Grocery Shuttle
This service assists students with transportation for grocery shopping. The Saturday grocery shuttle operates from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. It departs Templeton Staff Lot on the hour, stopping at CRW (Witherspoon Circle) and dropping off at Nassau Park Pavilion (Wegmans) or Mercer Mall (Shop Rite). Return trips begin at 10:30 a.m. from Nassau Park Pavilion or Mercer Mall, continuing on the half hour until 1:30 p.m. The Princeton Seminary grocery shuttle is for the residential community only. Reservations are required 24 hours in advance. Without a reservation, riders cannot board. Riders may be asked for their Seminary ID at any time. If you miss your scheduled ride, call security at 609-497-7777 to check availability for the next shuttle.