Are the RUMORS about Princeton TRUE?

Applying to College
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<p>Are the RUMORS about Princeton TRUE? </p>

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<p>I have heard a great deal about Princeton lately and I need help in understanding whether what I have heard is accurate. I recently spoke to my counselor, who told me that Princeton is the "epitome of Ivory-Tower elitism and snobbery" and that the school has a "disasterous effect on students who are not white, who are not preppy, and who are not rich." She said that at Princeton, there are few, if any, fraternities, and that instead, the school has 'eating clubs,' where students are accepted or rejected based on shifting criteria made by groups of students. She said that hazing is common at these eating clubs, and that not only are the clubs central to any type of social life at the school, but that white, rich, snobs make up the admittance committees who decide whether to reject or accept those who apply. </p>

<p>Is this true? It's hard enough to get past Princeton's role in the creation of the CollegeBoard, but as someone who was accepted, I am considering jumping ship due to this counselors words. I know that would not be wise, but is this accurate?</p>

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<p>most rumors have a grain of truth to them, but i know a few people at princeton and i know lots of people going there, and those rumors are mostly ********. to wit, of the 13 kids going there from my school, 1 is white. princeton actually has huge asian and other minority populations; what you're talking about is an old stereotype that's not relevant. if i were you, i'd be more concerned with the overwhelming elitism of the surrounding town; i've lived in princeton my whole life, and the people here are not exactly what you'd call down-to earth. the university kids are much better than the townies in terms of being down-to-earth, since princeton's generous financial aid opens up all sorts of opportunities to non-white, non-rich candidates. </p>

<p>basically, i think your counselor has a chip on his/her shoulder (probably rejected or something) and that you should discount his/her advice.</p>

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<p>Besides the name, how are eating clubs different than frats?</p>

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<p>in my experience, people like to make up stuff/greatly stretch the truth about prestigious colleges to console themselves because they are upset that they could not/cannot get into them. denial, you know?</p>

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<p>The zeitgeist of Princeton is such that snobbery and elitism are embraced. Eating clubs are scarcely like fraternities, but nice try. Yes, Princeton is more classist and elitist than are Yale and Harvard. No, not every Princetonian is classist and racist. No, the classism there is not generally willful, but instead organic. There are also, clearly, myriad great things about Princeton. I'd suggest you visit before you end up applying, just as I'd suggest you visit any other schools before you apply.</p>

<p>[url=<a href="http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=20&app=college%5DNash%5B/url"&gt;http://college.mychances.net/view/?id=20&app=college]Nash[/url&lt;/a&gt;]&lt;/p>

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<p>Coluhopeful has also posted this thread in the Princeton forum. However, according to the post below, Colu has not been accepted to Princeton (because he/she is currently a junior) and is generally looking at small LACs. Thus, I am extremely skeptical about his/her motivations for this post and I doubt that it is true. </p>

<p>05-26-2006, 10:43 PM
Junior Member</p>

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<p>Hi. I would really appreciate any thoughts on whether these schools are reaches, matches, or safeties:
Middlebury
Amherst
Swarthmore
Haverford
University of Chicago </p>

<p>Also, Nasty, snobbery and elitism are hardly embraced at Princeton, nor is the classism "organic". I think that part of the problem with Princeton's reputation is that people who know nothing about the current Princeton insist on repeating old stereotypes every chance they get. The school is extremely diverse, the percentage of students on financial aid is over 50%and most of the current students are extremely down-to-earth, interesting, and highly intelligent individuals. Of course there are snobs and preppy students at Princeton, just like there are at Harvard and Yale and any number of other schools. However, they do not define the school and they represent an extremely small percentage of current students.</p>

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<p>I will not waste my time attacking the character and intentions of those who have attacked my character and intentions. The purpose of CC is to respond to questions and to discuss issues in current education. I think it is disgusting that people find it appropo to demonize those with who's QUESTION they may disagree.
I have no obligation to post on this site. I do so because I want to. Furthermore, I think it is beneficial to CC, and Colleges like Princeton, that questions like this are raised. Now I have a question: who are you all, and what gives you the right to disparage me???</p>

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<p>midatlmom .... Its not l;ike he ever lied in his post... give him a break
I think its good to know... lets prospective students look at what the "holier than thou" Ivies truly are</p>

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<p>um...actually Coluhopeful did lie: "...but as someone who was accepted, I am considering jumping ship due to this counselors words..." yeah, so let's not attack midatlmom, cause she's probably right :)</p>

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<p>People do sometimes lie on CC. I think it is perfectly legitimate to point out when this happens. Certainly, no one can expect to come on CC and make up things, and not have anyone call them on it. Trolls are a waste of everyone's time.</p>

<p>In my experience, people who respond "how dare you" and yet don't back up or explain their original claims are the ones who are lying. </p>

<p>In the present case, reading through the OP previous posts, I can't tell if we have a senior or junior. One post said a senior and a number list some senior year grades -- but why would a graduating senior, already accepted at Princeton, be asking about reaches, matches, and safeties a few days ago? Besides, one has to commit to a particular school by May 1st.</p>

<p>Last fall, the OP was looking into schools. There were a number of lists. None included Princeton.</p>

<p>I also looked at the OP's stats and they don't look like the sort that would get one accepted at Princeton. (Although the stats do seem to change between posts as someone on another board pointed out.) Besides, someone who did make it into Princeton would have researched the school thoroughly way before now.</p>

<p>I saw how on the Princeton board the OP was identified as a troll as well.</p>

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<p>Troll? Lies? Don't any of you have a reason for being on this forum besides to attack the character of others? Doesn't anyone here have a life???? Seriously, who makes up silly slogans and labels people 'trolls,' lol. It's more than a little pathetic! Besides, the senior year grades for both posts were predicted, as were the SAT scores for the 2nd posting on middlebury. But those weren't even my grades, or my scores, I did that for someone else who's worried about college and her chances....you all need to seriously mature, grow up, and do something with your lives before you go on to college and become the most-hated-people-on-campus....seriously!</p>

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<p>but then you have over double the posts that I do...</p>

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<p>
[quote]
But those weren't even my grades, or my scores, I did that for someone else who's worried about college and her chances....

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Yes, that's the ticket!</p>

<p>But wait -- see the actual previous threads. </p>

<p>One thread title --'What Will I Do??" One post -- "lol. I went to visit it, along with two of the other schools, and I loved it. Other schools will of course be considered, but I am very interested if anyone could share their opinions on my chances, or on these schools in general." Another post -- "bump, bump, bump. I need help in choosing what colleges I should look at. Please respond." Someone asked if OP had a hook like geographic location, and the response was -- "I live in northern florida??" </p>

<p>Another thread -- OP starts out -- "Hi. I would really appreciate any thoughts on whether these schools are reaches, matches, or safeties..." No mention of a "friend." Indeed, a later post says --"anyone else have any thoughts on my chances at these schools."</p>

<p>Third thread -- OP asks -- "Hi. I would really appreciate any thoughts on what schools anyone thinks I should apply to." In response to answers, the following -- "I'm not a minority (Although being one would be great!) My parents will not pay for anywhere west of the Mississippi. I will not be applying for need-based financial aid." A bit later -- "Does anyone have anything positive to say about NYU? Just wondering....if I were female, I could apply to Barnard. Oh well......"</p>

<p>Fourth thread -- OP starts out "Hi. I would really appreciate any thoughts on my chances of admission to Columbia College." Repeatedly throughout the thread are mentions of "I" and "me."</p>

<p>All threads contain the same statistics that are now attributed to a friend. None of them mention an interest in Princeton.</p>

<p>The purpose of CC is to exchange information, advice, and points of view. That purpose is not met when people don't tell the truth, which happens periodically on this forum (and others -- the term "troll" is a well-known one and a wide-spread phenomenon).</p>

<p>I'm already grown up and have children in college. I dare say I know more about what it takes to survive there and have a successful life than a high school student. What I've learned, for instance, from my practice of law is how to tell when people aren't telling the truth. Three good signs:</p>

<ol>
<li> The story doesn't make sense. Check.</li>
<li> The source is outraged when people question the story. Check.</li>
<li> The story changes when people point out how it can't be true. Check again.</li>
</ol>

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<p>The CollegeBoard and Princeton are unrelated. Educational Testing Service, who - in a weird complex way - is related to CB lists their address as "Pinceton, NJ" is technically in Lawrence Township, NJ. </p>

<p>Neither the CB nor ETS have a relationship with Princeton.</p>

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<p>Ooh boy. The "is Colu lying" drama is far more entertaining than any discussion of Princeton could be. (For the record, though, and for whatever it's worth, I have an older friend I respect very much at Princeton, and he's turned out all right, though I won't be applying to Princeton myself)</p>

<p>It's good to question the value of the top universities and to further debate. But it's not good to post made-up evidence to try to start a fight or defame an institution.</p>

<p>It seems that Coluhopeful (hopeful for Columbia, you'll note, so he wouldn't be "jumping ships" from Princeton) is starting to revert to a troll's classic "lol u nerds" defense. I find it rather laughable. It's the kind of thing that comes along every once in a while to solidify my superiority complex. =D</p>

<p>If Colu can suddenly give a satisfactory explanation, I'll apologize. 'Til then, I'll keep following his responses, amused.</p>

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<p>Depends on who you talk to.</p>

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<p>"Ooh boy. The "is Colu lying" drama is far more entertaining than any discussion of Princeton could be. (For the record, though, and for whatever it's worth, I have an older friend I respect very much at Princeton, and he's turned out all right, though I won't be applying to Princeton myself)
It seems that Coluhopeful (hopeful for Columbia, you'll note, so he wouldn't be "jumping ships" from Princeton) is starting to revert to a troll's classic "lol u nerds" defense. I find it rather laughable. It's the kind of thing that comes along every once in a while to solidify my superiority complex. =D
If Colu can suddenly give a satisfactory explanation, I'll apologize. 'Til then, I'll keep following his responses, amused."</p>

<p>LOL Tetra, you're the man. That post made my day.</p>

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<p>
[quote]
Is this true? It's hard enough to get past Princeton's role in the creation of the CollegeBoard, but as someone who was accepted, I am considering jumping ship due to this counselors words. I know that would not be wise, but is this accurate?

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Were you actually accepted or not? And if you were, what's this talk about your other post? I don't want to attack your character, I just want to know the truth, because people are accusing you of lying but you're not defending yourself in this respect. By just lashing out against the people accusing you without a real answer to your accusation, you're making it look worse. Are you trolling or aren't you?</p>

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<p>blah blah blah</p>

<p>all i kno is the OP is full of it and several members have proved him to be a pathetic liar</p>