Princeton University Top Questions

I had a lot of trepidation about going to Princeton, mostly because I was worried about the negative stereotypes about the social scene, and because (I confess it) I'm a legacy--my mom went here for both undergrad and grad school, and I was (and still am) ashamed that my mom's status probably tipped the balance in my favor. That said, though, I really changed my mind after a few weeks' adjustment period. I believe I go to the best school in the country--it's probably because we do have the highest per-student endowment in the country, but believe me, that shows. You wouldn't believe the opportunities that get thrown at all of us, because we have resources to rival Harvard's or Yale's but not nearly the huge student body. I think it's the perfect size: we have 5,000 undergrads (though it's going up in the next few years), which is enough that there's a social group for everyone, but not so many that you get lost in the cracks. You definitely get individual attention, which for me is really important. There are also 2,000 grad students, which means they don't get any more attention than or overshadow the undergrads, but that they're they're to enrich the university community. Basically, if I can say anything to debunk your Princeton stereotypes, I will. My class, the Class of 2012, is the first in Princeton's history to be equally male-female, and that spirit of modernity shows in study abroad opportunities, the LGBT Center, and the wide range of campus publications, to name just a few aspects of student life. Yeah, there are a lot of problems with conservatism and entitlement--take the recent grade deflation initiative, for example, which I am behind but which received a lot of flak from students and alumni. By and large, though, the current university president, Shirley Tilghman, has done worlds of good to make Princeton a place where someone like me can without question belong--that definitely wouldn't have been the case when my mom was a student. Today, I feel like a definite part of the social fabric, whether it's in the eating clubs or at my college master's house.

When I tell people I go to Princeton, sometimes they give me a funny look. It's not your typical college. But I wouldn't trade it for anything. The best thing about Princeton is the people - a lot of incredibly quick/bright/witty people. There's not much I would want to change either. The size of the campus ~5000 undergrads is just right, the classes have been great, etc.

Taking a drive down Nassau Street and past the front gates of Princeton will tell you a lot about what you can expect from your time as a student -- at least in terms of ambience. If you are totally at home in a place where the Mercedes outnumber the Toyotas in the parking lot, and where shopping at the Gap is slumming it, then you will easily find yourself at home on campus. That is not to say that you will necessarily hate Princeton if you prefer thrift shops, used cars and coffee houses, but you may have to search a little harder to find comrades in arms. You will eventually find them, though -- there are people of all types at Princeton. But you should be aware that it is much easier for some people to fit in at Princeton than others. If you are, say, coming from an urban public school where only 15{4a082faed443b016e84c6ea63012b481c58f64867aa2dc62fff66e22ad7dff6c} of the students are white, you may find that Princeton's claims of racial and socioeconomic diversity ring false. If you don't like the idea of having to prostrate yourself before your peers in order to prove yourself worthy of socializing with them, you may find the notion of eating clubs distasteful. And if you are on financial aid and don't want to bankrupt your parents, you may be disappointed to find that the (typically quite expensive) eating clubs dominate the upperclass social culture. But even if you felt all these things, you could still find a place. There is a four-year residential college now, and you can find a social niche that suits you if you look for it. But you may have to look for it unless you are coming from a place like Choate (in which case, you will fit right in with very little trouble). In terms of daily life as a student, it depends somewhat on whether you're a science/engineeering student or a liberal arts major. If you aren't taking a science, chances are good that you'll have Fridays off. Seriously -- three-day weekends are the norm for a lot of students, and that's part of the reason that Thursdays are a big party night on campus. If you're a hard science or B.S.E. major, forget about it. It's normal weekends for you. Either way, you'll probably spend more time studying than you do in class. That's not because class time is short, but rather because classes are challenging, and you have to be prepared. Many social gatherings revolve around study groups. But most students at Princeton are used to working hard, so it's generally not too overwhelming. You'll still have time to go out to The Street (if you want to) on weekends, or to take frequent study breaks with friends at Hoagie Haven or the Wa, or just at the Frist center. For all the studying, nearly all the students find time for a social life. To be honest, one of the best advantages to going to a school like Princeton comes after you graduate. The name recognition -- worldwide -- is instant and impressive. The mere fact of having gone to Princeton undeniably opens doors that might otherwise have been closed. (Sometimes you will have to work to convince them that you are not a snob as you put your foot in that open door.) And those are the advantages before you consider the alumni network, which is quite strong. Alumni of Princeton tend to be extremely devoted (and generous) to the school. If you choose to be a part of it, the Princeton experience can continue quite actively for the rest of your life.

It's cold in the winter. I'm from NY, so this may sound silly, but there's a difference between taking a bus or driving to school and walking across campus in the cold and snow. Luckily, the gorgeous Princeton spring completely makes up for it.

The best thing about Princeton is the fact that it is a large, ultra-smart, hugely ambitious community. Every student, from the drunken frat boy to the physics nerd, is interesting and smart. In order to get into Princeton, you need to do something that sets you apart from the rest of the applicants, and for the most part that is clear when you meet the student body. Although someone may seem completely normal and friendly, he is actually a medal winner in the National Spelling Bee or an Olympic fencer. You never know who you will meet or who they will one day become.

Princeton is sweet. The students here are extremely intellectually curious, and yet very normal at the same time. It's easy to think that everyone at Princeton must be a total loser who spends every waking moment buried in a textbook, but everybody's actually real chill. Like any internationally renowned university there are definitely some freakishly smart, socially apocalyptic kids at Princeton, but your average Princetonian is normal. The town is wonderful too and is filled to the brim with quaint mom-and-pop boutiques and preppy shopping. School pride is pretty high: it's hard to believe there's many people that aren't proud to go to Princeton. The basketball and football teams draw a solid crowd if they're playing well but the stands tend to be empty when the teams suck. Lacrosse is big too and their games are pretty sick. Students complain about college administrators regardless of where you are and Princeton is no exception, but they do a good job in general. All in all it's a great school.

Best thing about princeton is the campus. The place is beautiful, and such a joy to live in. The people here are great as well - they know how to work and how to party.

the eating clubs make the school. the casual afternoons on the TI front lawn will remain as some of my favorite times. the night life is also centered around the clubs and generally, I have enjoyed it, although the limits the social options a bit.

Size is great, not too big, not too small. Princeton the town is a little small, but there are 5 malls within a 5 minute drive, so you can't really complain; you don't need a town with a 'nightlife' because the eating clubs provide that, and for free, for everyone with a student ID card. The administration is great and undergrad-focused, with the grad students often having to plead for attention since the faculty, money and resources give first priority to undergrads. Some of the recent controversies have been grade deflation, elimination of early decision, expansion from 2-year to 4-year residential colleges, and changes in the alcohol policy. School pride is probably greater here than at any other school in the nation--almost every alumni gives money back to the university after graduation, and a large majority return EVERY single year for Reunions.

My favorite thing about Princeton is everyone living on campus together and there being a strong sense of community. That being said the smaller size can make for some awkward interactions with people you sort of know or dislike. The town is endearingly small. Going into town definitely does not feel like getting off campus, and having a car and doing things like going lasertagging on Route 1 is refreshing.