<p>I decided to turn down Princeton, and I feel beyond awful. I'm having reoccurring nightmares about how I should have gone there, and every time I meet someone who is going there, I can't help but feel a pang of jealousy. My reasons for not picking Princeton mainly had to do with me not liking the "party scene," but know, I realize, that that would only be as big of a deal as Id make it be. I don't feel excited at all about going to the college that I picked in the fall, and when I received a mailing from them just recently, I didn't even want to open it. Like most people here, I worked so hard throughout high school, and I always imagined that this occasion in my life should be happier. At first, I was so busy that I just tried to ignore how awful I felt, and shortly after, I tried to convince myself that I wasn't excited because I was just burnt out. I don't know.</p>
<p>I realize how ungodly awful that I must sound. I don't know what to do at this point. Part of me feels like I should just suck it up and make the best of things, but the other part of me is like "it's still your life; you can still control what happens to you."</p>
<p>Anyway, to the point of this thread: Is there anyway that I can switch schools still? Is it completely and utterly too late to change my mind? Would Princeton ever consider taking a student (such as me) back? Did I mention that I feel really awful?</p>
<p>You can call the Princeton admissions office. No harm done there.</p>
<p>But I do not know what your chosen university will say.</p>
<p>Imagine the envelope had come from Princeton. Do you think you would have felt happy? Or are you just having a sort of post-traumatic stress from the admissions process:).</p>
<p>send an email to the dean and call the undergrad office, it looks unlikely but you can give it a shot.</p>
<p>i know you might not think so now, but i think MIT is really great! the geeky culture looks really fun with the geeky humor and hacks. it's an acquired taste, but one that i'm certain you'd grow to love over time. i think MIT is a cute place. too bad i didn't get in there.</p>
<p>aww i kinda understand how u feel. i was TORN between stanford and princeton, but in the end i chose stanford because i felt more comfortable and at home there. </p>
<p>some days, i really miss princeton and its gothic architecture and harry potter feel...and how ppl are so pampered there and the huge focus on undergrad. but i was put off by the grade deflation and the fact that ppl seem to study study study all day.</p>
<p>but i think i made the right choice to go to stanford .</p>
<p>I was torn, too. Ultimately, it was really hard to make a decision, but now I feel great about my choice. It is easy to get "burned out" when it comes to your school choice, and this can lead to a lot of feelings of regret... but it is natural, and you have four years to get excited about whatever school you choose.</p>
<p>BTW, I felt horrible saying no to Princeton, and I will always bear a lot of goodwill and respect for P.</p>
<p>err... I have typos in that, and the lack of the ability to fix them is really bothering me. Anyway, thanks for the help. I'd appreciate it if you all could keep it coming.</p>
<p>I do know someone who sent in a decision saying "yes" to a university for this fall and changed on May 14ish, but panickedly calling/emailing both admissions offices repeatedly. So give it a shot.</p>
<p>Let us know what happens. If this was Princeton v. Stanford or Yale or Harvard I would totally let it go. But if it's MIT and you are worried, you might want to give it a try to go to Princeton - just because it's different enough from the other top schools that maybe you have identified a real desire in your case to have more of the traditional liberal arts education.</p>
<p>I agree with alumother. How would you feel if you were able to make the switch? Would you be upset by the fact that you were no longer able to attend MIT (if that is in fact the school you choose)? If you truly believe that you would be happier at Princeton, I would definitely call the admissions office to see if it is even an option. You should try and have a cohesive story ready--I don't know if I would dwell on partying, so much as the academic breadth available at Princeton and how you're not sure what you want to major in and need the type of education Princeton offers.</p>
<p>Aww, you sound like you need a big hug first!</p>
<p>I also agree with Alumother about the post-traumatic stress possibility. But if you're absolutely sure about Princeton (and you sound like you are), I think it's still possible. I would imagine they'd just make one less "waitlister call" this week. I know this girl who successfully made the switch from Stanford to Yale very recently, so if you call up the admissions office and sound sincere enough, they'll probably let you in if there are still spaces. But do it, like, NOW. Good luck!!</p>
<p>Everyone has buyer's remorse, remember that. Had the reverse situation had happened, you might feel the same way about enrolling at Princeton and turning down X school. Think about that, too. There were reasons you picked a school over Princeton, and they were probably important to you. Look on the bright side - you're going to love where you go, and if you don't, that's what transferring is for!</p>
<p>I think MIT is every bit as exciting as Princeton. Stick with MIT, really. I agree with jazzguitar that there's a reason you chose MIT - and even if that reason somehow turns out to be invalid, there's nothing you could possibly lose at MIT. I promise you you'll fall in love with MIT.</p>
<p>Hey cardigan, if you truly feel like you want to switch, do contact both schools and make your case, and contact them SOON. Be persistent, and patient, and apologize profusely. However, admissions officers from both schools understand what it's like to make a college decision, and they want you to be happy. They'll also probably be willing to at least talk things over with you, so that you can put into coherent thought exactly what you're feeling.</p>
<p>I know a girl who switched into MIT after deciding on WUSTL, so MIT should be pretty forgiving.</p>
<p>Let us know the result. It can't hurt to try. And again, it's best to be happy with where you're going next year. I think it's been sufficiently after May 1st that this isn't a case of buyer's remorse, but rather, you have a gut feeling that Princeton's better for you.</p>
<p>I personally know of a friend in my year who had initially turned down Princeton and then contacted the AdCom because he had changed his mind. They let him in so I think you'd have similar luck. :)</p>
<p>I would say that it is very possible that they will still admit you if that's what you really want. You are increasing their yield lol.. but I am sure that any school you chose over Princeton must be quite amazing as well.. </p>
<p>I was worried about Princeton's social scene as well.. but now I am convinced that there is truly a place for any type of person there.
Oh and biology is known to be one of Princeton's strongest depts.</p>