Princeton University Top Questions

The professors are top experts in their field (in my department) and funds are well allocated to academics.

Research focus for undergraduates, including high requirements for senior thesis or independent work.

If you're very civic-minded or want to go to school to learn how to save the world, you're probably better off going to school in a major city. Like I said this is la-la land. Overall, an incredible place to get an undergraduate degree, and you will have the privilege of meeting some amazing people, some of whom will be your friends for life. Don't expect fun to come knocking on your door, but do expect to see a lot of weird things.

I've come across as overwhelmingly positive about Princeton in this survey, and I feel bad for not having given you, dear reader, a balanced perspective. I certainly did have a difficult first few weeks here, before I made some friends and started to find some niches in Princeton society that fit me well. I actually started seeing a shrink, I was that miserable, if it gives you any indication. However, I think that was down to me, not to Princeton. I work hard to dispel people's stereotypes about my university because I fervently believe that they *are* untrue. I've seen firsthand the administration's gargantuan efforts to make Princeton a place where everyone feels welcome, and I definitely respect that. Furthermore, whatever you say about the rich, the preppy, the fratty, it's probably true--but that doesn't mean that all those folks aren't smart, either. You have to be smart to be here, or else you'd crack under the workload. I feel constantly worried that my best isn't good enough here, but I think everyone does. You're constantly surrounded by intelligence in every possible sense of the word, no matter what that intelligence does with its Saturday nights. I'm only a quarter of the way through my freshman year, but I plan to get a damn good four years out of this place.

Social Scene - "Eating Clubs" instead of Fraternities/Sororities - Both more and less inclusive options. Top professors in almost every single department. Strong pride. Senior thesis requirement - one of the only schools that requires significant independent work of every student.

To be completely honest, I was miserable at Princeton for the first year and a half or so. I got a bit unlucky with my roommate match, and none of the extracurriculars I tried really clicked with me. I did eventually find "my place," but I always felt a bit like a fish out of water. It was still a privilege to go there, and I would probably go there again if I could go back in time -- but only probably, not certainly. And certainly not if I hadn't had such a great experience with my department. The university as a whole just wasn't a great match for this California girl who came up through the public school system. I'm the laid-back type -- I sometimes wear my slippers to class. I also like to push the superficial envelope sometimes, just for fun -- keeping my paint-covered art-class clothes on all day because I like the way the colors look on my shirt, or wearing a blue wig to reunions just to offset the ubiquitous orange. I prefer to be in a place where that sort of thing isn't all that unusual, and frankly, that's not Princeton. The looks my friend (also in a wig) and I got at reunions ranged from simple surprise to "why are you ruining my day?" Not particularly impressive. Still, it's a gorgeous school, one of the few well-known places left where it's safe to walk alone at 3 a.m., the faculty are generally approachable, and the academic rigor is second to none. And the students as a whole tend to love Princeton; I am the exception rather than the rule.

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

A Princeton student describes her favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.

A Princeton student describes his favorite movie, class, and free time activity.