Columbia/ Princeton (I know another one, but this one is different I promise!)

Colleges and Universities A-Z Columbia University
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<p>Hey so I'm a senior, will be grauduating in about two months and will have to make a decision about college in less than one. The thought of making that decision really stresses me out. Initially Columbia was my first choice. I applied to Princeton to increase my chances of getting into at least one Ivy League. I also applied to Harvard and Yale. Well I got waitlisted at Harvard, didn't get into Yale, but got into both Columbia and Princeton. Yay! So you think my choice would be easier right? Afterall Columbia was my first choice. Wrong. I'v never been so confused before in my life. I'm really attracted to the idea of going to one of the "big three." Who wouldn't right? I'v visited Princeton and the campus is gorgeous. They really focus on the Undergrads AND I got a great financial aid packet. Nevertheless, frankly their Grade Deflation policy scares me (I went to a really competitve high school and I am not sure I want to spend another four years in that sink or swim environment--since everyone is essentially going to be competing for a limited number of As). Don't get me wrong, I know any ivy is going to be competitive but it says a lot about the school when their policy is directly geared towards facilitating that combative, stressful atmposphere instead of one of camraderie etc. Also Princeton students have the LOWEST gpa of all the ivy leagues because of this policy. To make matters worse, they have this reputation for being--well Snooty. YUCK. </p>

<p>Now Here are the things I like about Columbia: New York City, seems to be more diverse than Princeton as a whole, Their core program seems really cool, Campus: not as pretty as Columbia but still really pretty. Also a current student called me from the school like last week at 9:00 just to welcome me and Chat about the school, my expectations, and to see if I had any questions he could answer for me about Columbia. I found this really thoughtful and it just reaffirmed my idea of Columbia as an embracive and accomodating place. I didn't get as good of a financial aid packet as I got in Princeton though..so theres that (Its about a 2000 dollar difference). </p>

<p>So anyway I'm Stuck. I could use feedback, guidance..someone to choose for me. ANYTHING WIll Help.
PS. I will also be visiting both schools nex week for Preview programs so that should be helpful too!</p>

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<p>$2000 isn’t that much…you could make that in one summer with a summer job. I’d go with Columbia, personally. Is that “extra prestige” at Princeton really going to benefit you at all?</p>

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<p>I know, but 2000 dollars over the span of four years is 8000 dollars. Is columbia really worth spending that 8000 dollars on…plus there’s princeton’s focus on Undergrads to consider…</p>

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<p>First of all, congratulations! These are both great schools. There are many reasons to choose either one. The one basis on which I would urge you NOT to make your decision is the notion that Princeton is one of the “big three”. As a Harvard alum, I hate that phrase. While I loved my time at Harvard, there are far too many people who, if admitted to Harvard, feel they have to go there “because it’s Harvard,” when another school would have suited them better. As I’ve posted before, my son was admitted to Harvard and Columbia and chose Columbia for reasons particular to him. I would have been happy to have him choose my alma mater, but I have no doubt, and he has no doubt, that his choice was the right one for him.</p>

<p>Columbia and Princeton provide fairly clear contrasts. From location (urban v. suburban/rural), to curriculum (Columbia’s core is very distinctive), to political ideology (Columbia may be the farthest to the left of the Ivies while Princeton is probably farthest to the right), to social life (Columbia has no equivalent of Princeton’s eating clubs), the cultures of the two schools are quite distinct. Pick the one you think is right for you, and then don’t look back. </p>

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<p>Sounds like your mind is already made up!</p>

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hello
is it too late to write here, but I have many doubts that I would like to go to a university like Columbia but I would have to go to Spain as a foreign student, and there is some possibility of entering anything to prepare to enter something like pre university college as they say in the US ???
really I need help
thanks
my gmail is m.jesusboschg@gmail.com

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MODERATOR’S NOTE:

Well, it’s in the wrong place, since this thread is for the college class graduating in 2018. Start a new discussion with your question. Closing thread.