Hey everyone! So I had a pretty successful college admission results, however, now I face the challenge of selecting a school. I’m uncertain of what I want to major in, but I’m leaning towards law (no specific kind) and I applied to most schools as political science major or public policy. The challenge of choosing a school ultimately comes down to the social life since all the schools I am considering are academically strong. My first ivy league choice was Brown University mainly because I heard that these are where the happiest and chillest students are while having access to the same opportunities and education as other schools, buttt I got wait listed so mi exploring my other great options I’m a sociable and friendly person and what I’m really looking forward is a nice balance between academics and a social life. My family is leaning towards Princeton mainly due its reputation, but I don’t know if it’s the right fir for me. Any advice?
Choices: Princeton University, UPenn, Cornell, UVA, NYU, Duke, Boston University,
Do you want a more traditional campus setting, or little/no campus?
Do you care if the setting is urban or suburban?
Do you need a big-time D1 sports scene?
Looking at overall academic strength, wealth, and access to professors/undergrad focus, Princeton leads this field. But they are all fine schools, and fit and finances are important factors.
Thanks for the response! The schools I’ve been accepted to have all offered generous aid that is affordable for my family income. I have only visited Princeton and NYU, but I won’t have the time to the visit the others, besides Cornell. I do want a more traditional campus setting and I don’t care too much if it is urban or suburban. A big-time D1 sports scene isn’t necessary, but I enjoy the school spirit. I believe the academic strengths of all the schools are great,but I am narrowing myself down to the Ivy leagues and Duke; the distinguishing factor at this point is the social life.
Princeton has eating clubs. Some have a selection process called Bicker, others do not (and are, I think, open...), and not everyone participates -- you wouldn't have to be in one. But they're available. They're social clubs -- eat there, party there, study there, live (I think...?) there. In a big house, instead of a dorm. So, Greek, but without the stigma or hazing catastrophes.
Duke's campus is humongous. They have more of a Greek feel and a pretty decent party scene. Big rah-rah atmosphere, especially with Duke basketball.
Penn is the Social Ivy. I defer to @Penn95 to chime in here.
Cornell is the coldest, and nothing brings people together like a hot cup of joe/cocoa/cider after a long, freezing-cold trek across a large campus. I hear the students are more collaborative than they get credit for and the food is supposed to be quite good.
I’ve spent a lot of time at Duke, Princeton and Penn. Princeton and Duke definitely have a more “traditional” feel. I can’t really comment on how much eating clubs dominate the social scene at Princeton but most of the undergraduates I interacted with were affiliated. I think “Ivy” is the most popular one. Not really sure.
Duke has a good mix of greek + non-greek selective living groups. I think the new residential system has “houses” that students can return to for all three years (freshmen live on East campus). Nice way to foster a sense of community.
I agree with Princeton and Duke as top two choices from this list b/c of the traditional campuses, social scene.
My gut feeling is that Princeton will have more quiet wealth and more upper crust vibe. Duke has pretty visible wealth and more kids with a bit of chip on their shoulder b/c they didn’t get into Princeton, lol. (I know that’s cliche, but I think it’s kinda true.)
Duke has better weather, but, honestly, I’d pick Princeton.
First years at Duke live on East campus which is a short bus ride from main campus, just fyi. It’s a great location near restaurants and stores – just something worth knowing. Duke also has new West Union which is the BEST food hall on a campus I’ve seen. I find the Gothic architecture of the main campus a bit boring after awhile – all looks pretty but the same.
But we walked around Princeton about 18 months ago and I thought it was simply an amazingly beautiful campus with a lot of different types of buildings. (Ok, yes, a couple on the edge were not so attractive.)
The mainstream social scene revolves around the Eating Clubs. The Eating Clubs are located around one street known as 'The Street'. The different clubs have various themed parties throughout the year and also just random open parties. There are I believe 6 Eating Clubs that are exclusive and you must 'bicker' to try and get an invitation with various reputation that you can Google and see. The aforementioned 'Ivy' is where the 'beautiful people' join based on stereotypes. Underclassman that wish to participate in this scene will go to the parties of the various clubs to try and get to know the upperclassmen so that they have a successful bicker Spring of Sophomore year. Plenty of alcohol available to anyone with a PUID at parties open to all students. Exclusive parties will be where UGs are begging members to get on the guest list.
There are also 'sign in' Eating Clubs where you don't have to bicker and can join just by signing in as long as there is space. So if you bicker and it's not successful you can try to sign in but then there might not be space.
Then there are Co-ops which are similar to sign in clubs but it's just a eating/dining thing where you all work together to cook meals - you'd have to help on specific days/meals. So these are themed like Vegan, Vegetarian, Halal, etc.
For people that like small parties these happen all the time in people's rooms and are known as 'pre-game'. Alcohol is pretty much tolerated by Princeton on campus so even in the freshman/sophomore Res Colleges there are plenty of pre-games every week. There is sub-free options in every Res College if that's your style.
There are plenty of people that chose not to do any of this and take part in various social activities like movies, gaming, etc. You can definitely find your tribe.
Academically speaking Princeton and Cornell will be the tougher of the 2 choices and since you’re not in Engineering I’d say Princeton is the toughest even though Woodrow Wilson school isn’t as tough as far as schools at Princeton. As pre-law Princeton will prepare you for Law School as well as any school in the country. The requirement of a 2 junior papers and a senior thesis will only help.
Among your seven choices, it is easy to scratch off BU & NYU (since you are not admitted to Tisch or to Stern & because you want a traditional campus setting).
Eliminate Penn since you did not apply to the Wharton School & a couple of your other choices are better for non-business degrees.
No reason to select Virginia when Duke & Princeton remain as easily affordable options.
Scratch Cornell as too hilly & too cold in light of your acceptances to Duke & Princeton.
That leaves Duke & Princeton. Tough choice. Neither is anything like Brown University. Princeton is an intense academic experience. If you are ready to work & worry, then Princeton is the easy answer. If you want a bit less stress & would like to try out for a good basketball team, then consider Duke.
@Futurestudent18 Close to 50% (ballpark) of the undergraduate students at both schools receive some form of financial aid. So there will be plenty of people who aren’t “wealthy”. Having said that, the median family income at both schools is in the neighborhood of $187,000.
Thank for the thorough input! It’s nice to know that some eating clubs aren’t as exclusive as other. I wouldn’t want to spend my time hustling to get into social scenes when other places are inviting and just as fun. I’ll most likely attend the Woodrow Wilson School if I commit to Princeton and hopefully that particular school will help prepare me for law school as well.
Thanks for helping me narrow down my choices! I agree with your list. My only concern about Princetons tough academic experience is my GPA; when I apply to law school afterwards, I hope the Princeton name would accommodate enough for a lower number.
Thanks for the links. The statistics were interesting. Princeton seems to perform well in everything excluding income mobility. GPA deflation is also definitely something I’m considering. I hear many things about the difficulty of making what high achievers consider good grades.
Thanks! Do you mind providing a couple of reasons?