<p>The Princeton Review rates Princeton's academics at 88, as opposed to the mid-to-high 90's of such schools as Yale and even Vassar.</p>
<p>Why is this? I have noticed that people who love Princeton love the atmosphere, etc., but nothing about academics.</p>
<p>Perhaps a scholarly Princetonian could fill me in?</p>
<p>Thanks</p>
<p>I think the quality of academics at Princeton essentially speaks for itselfregardless of how a particular college guide decides to 'rate' them.</p>
<p>Those Princetonians who love the atmosphere are the same ones who will be the first to tell you that they feel they 'have received the best undergraduate education in the world.'</p>
<p>A quote from an undergrad (who thrived at Princeton--on all accounts) puts it nicely: "Here.. it's 'What do you want to think about?' For once we are taught how to think, we can do anything."</p>
<p>That certainly sounds serious enough. Thanks, Cassadie.</p>
<p>sweet quote.</p>
<p>Certainly, Rubinator. Are you thinking about applying?</p>
<p>(you should :) )</p>
<p>Yeah, I'm pretty sure I'm going to apply...my aunt is an alumn and she's taking me there in Sept....at the moment, however, I'm loving Yale's Directed Studies program so much I might do Yale's SCEA. I'm pretty sure, though, that Princeton will be up there with my top choices.</p>
<p>BTW, for humanities junkies, does Princeton have anything like Yale's DS?</p>
<p>We have the Humanities Sequence, which is essentially a smaller version of DS or the Columbia Core (only 30 students per year). It is two courses each semester of Freshman year - the first semester is Lit & the Arts and History & Philosophy from the classical period to the middle ages (Homer/The Bible to Dante) and the second is the same two courses from the middle ages to the end of the 19th century (Petrarch/Machiavelli to Nietzsche). The course is taught by 4 or 5 professors each semester - usually a combination of senior professors and younger professors selected for a prestigious 5 year fellowship at Princeton on the basis of prior scholarship.</p>
<p>I loved it, and I think most people who have taken it consider it the best academic experience of their lives. The small size leads to a lot of personal attention from professors and camaraderie among students, the professors are amazing, as, of course, is the reading list.</p>
<p>Yeah, the HUM sequence and DS are essentially the same thing. I'd strongly suggest looking into it. Unfortunately, the website appears to be down (or has it moved?). In any case, know that you would have something comparable to DS in applying to Princeton, if you so chose.</p>
<p>I hear Princeton Review made a mistake about the academics - supposed to be 98. Check the 2004 number, which said the academic ranking was 99.</p>
<p>i heard that the academics at princeton were good so i applied.</p>
<p>who cares what princeton review says. ask anyone and the first colleges ppl name drop are HYP.</p>
<p>How hard is HS to get into, and how do you go about applying?</p>
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How hard is HS to get into
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<p>HS? Do you mean Princeton?</p>
<p>Rubinator, I wouldn't waste any time worrying over how the Princeton Review ranks Princeton's academics. When I sat in on classes at April Hosting I was blown away. You know how in high school you keep looking at the clock and waiting for the class to be over -- at least that's what I do most of the time. At two different classes that I sat in on I couldn't believe it when the professor said it was time to end. The time flew by! I was completely absorbed in what the professor was saying and in the class discussion. I have to admit that this wasn't true in a third class, but that was because it was a science course that was too advanced for me. Princeton's academics are amazing!</p>
<p>yeah, I had to fight to stay awake in a math class I attended, but that was because I really had no idea what they were talking about, except I recognized integration by parts, but that was it. I only had time to attend one class though...but hey, it's princeton--should anyone be worried about not receiving an amazing education there?</p>
<p>I think HS = humanities sequence</p>
<p>I don't think HUM is that hard to get into - I'm going to guess about 2/3 to 3/4 get in. They admit you on the basis of a brief essay on why you want to take the class - so I'm sure if you apply early (I think last year the app went up in late May/early June sound really enthusiastic about it, they'll take you. Additionally, it is common for one or two people to drop within the first week, either because they choose during scheduling to take another class or because they are frightened by the first lecture - so if you want to be ambitious and talk to one of the professors immediately after not getting in, there's a decent chance they'll take you off the waitlist after the first or second week.</p>
<p>The very top one is academic statistics for Princeton...it does say 88 but it may be mistaken, it may not..the second one is the ist of top 100 schools..Princeton and Harvard are like tied for first place..the third on is the top 10 Universities in the WORLD..i must give in to pride & say harvard beat princeton out..but the fact that Princeton is even in the top ten in the world says just how excellent the academics are....... no need at all to worry about that.</p>
<p>if Princeton and Harvard are tied for the best in the US, how can Stanford, Cal Berkeley, and MIT beat Princeton in the world rankings if they are behind in the US rankings....something isnt right with those rankings</p>
<p>The Times rankings are meant for grad schools. Princeton and Harvard are tied #1 in the U.S. for undergrad education.</p>
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The Times rankings are meant for grad schools. Princeton and Harvard are tied #1 in the U.S. for undergrad education.
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<p>The Times rankings are actually undergrad and grad rankings. This places Princeton at something of a disadvantage, since it focuses mostly on its undergraduate program (its forte). Harvard, meanwhile, has a strong undergraduate program (though the strength of a Harvard undergrad program differs from Princeton's strengths), but also has a strong set of grad schools / professional schools to boot. Thus, Harvard appears on the top of the Times rankings, while both Princeton and Harvard appear on the top of the US News rankings.</p>