Princeton University Top Questions

That depends on who you ask.

Work hard, play hard is definitely true. Students take pride in being able to get all their work done well and then go out at night, multiple times a week. The preppy stereotype does not hold true quite as well. There are preppy students on campus, for certain, and events like Lawnparties bring the preppies out in droves, but for the most part, Princeton has wide variety of students.

There is certainly a number of students who fit that stereotype precisely, as there are in every other school. But for the most part the majority of Princeton students are like other normal kids who happen to be passionate about whatever they choose to study or engage in.

They were when I first got there, but by the time I graduated, with the new Dean of admissions, there were more alternative, artistic people of different colors, shapes and sizes.

only to a certain extent. The one about people being smart is largely true. Some people are snobby/haughty, but definitely not everyone.

I don't think so. There is a very diverse community with people who have a variety of interests. The majority of the student body is definitely from a middle-upper/upper class socioeconomic background, but people are not snooty.

Most stereotypes spring from a grain of truth. Polo shirts are pretty popular, and because J. Crew is one of the few stores in Princeton, many people seem to wear the same thing. There are few tattoos and no green hair that I've seen. But this is a pretty superficial homogeneity. Princeton students are diverse both intellectually and socioeconomically (over half the student body receives financial aid), and most importantly, they are extremely personable. Politically, conservatives may be a little louder, or (anecdotally) higher in number, but it's still the liberal Ivy League so Republicans remain the minority. Moreover, there's a positive side to this coin. Princeton loves its traditions and has a tight-knit alumni network, a great resource both socially and professionally. Thousands of alumni return each year for Reunions to celebrate their Princeton experience and its rich history. Princetonians are proud of their beautiful, (mostly) collegiate gothic campus and of the high quality of life the college offers.

While there are a lot of preppy kids here, I think that the stereotype fails to reflect the diversity of Princeton and the student body. Princeton as an institution has been around since 1746 and there is so much history and tradition here it is amazing to be a part of the culture. The student body here is also extremely diverse, with students from a wide range of states and countries.

Often.

This type certainly does exist at Princeton, but is by no means the norm.