<p>I generally tell kids to go with their gut. That said, if you are choosing Penn or Columbia because Princeton had fewer kids out and about, that’s a flawed data point influencing a big decision. There is somewhat less hustle and bustle, due to the suburban campus and the stretches of lawn, but in terms of groups of students hanging out together, it is my understanding that there’s actually more of that, and more easily found, at Princeton than either Penn or Columbia.</p>
<p>Columbia’s social atmosphere is very distinct. You have to want to get off campus. Penn’s is fun, as I understand it, but even more dominated by fraternities than Princeton by the eating clubs - since the eating clubs are generally more open to the whole student body.</p>
<p>Now, if you are saying that an urban environment feels better and more energizing to you, then by all means do not go to Princeton. The one person I knew who was unhappy there missed city life terribly, and wound up spending her junior year in London just to get her fix:).</p>