I have been accepted to both universities, but have had my heart set on UCLA for so long. When I visited the the UCLA campus, I immediately fell in love with the environment and knew I could easily assimilate into college life there; it offers a perfect balance of academics, research, and sports, not to mention great weather. In addition, I got a full scholarship so I would essentially pay nothing to attend. My Princeton financial aid package was also pretty good but I would have to take out several loans and do a work study to cover all the costs. However, the idea of graduating debt free at a great school like UCLA sounds amazing! I plan on majoring in biochemistry and possibly pursuing the premed track. I’m not very familiar with the premed program at Princeton so I would greatly appreciate any insight. I realize that the grade deflation policy will not work in my favor, especially if I apply to med school. With that, convince me why Princeton would be a good match for my undergraduate studies. And please don’t just say because it’s more prestigious and part of the Ivy League. I obviously already know that 
As a Princetonian from the LA area who grew up a bruin fan, I couldn’t imagine turning down P for UCLA. Not really sure where to begin, so I’ll just say that Princeton’s grade deflation policy is officially over as of last year. Have you visited?
Um, Princeton is pretty fine.
Uclabound1, you have worked so hard to achieve admission, and while it might not be your top pick, it sounds like Princeton is by far the best offer you have. I’ve seen some of your earlier posts. Good luck with your choice.
Cutting across the grain a bit here, I actually would suggest that if you have always had your heart set on UCLA, why not attend? Princeton is a phenomenal school but if it’s not your heart’s #1 choice, you may come to resent the loans, the weather in the north east, and a whole host of other things. Life is not all about an Ivy education. It would be worth it to visit and see how it feels to you if you can, but it also may not be right for you! No one on CC can tell you if you will like it…you need to check it out for yourself. Good luck!
If you need to be convinced, go to UCLA.
I’m going to go against what most other posters have said and say go to UCLA. All of the reasons you’ve listed so far clearly show it’s your first choice. If possible, go to the Princeton Previews. If you’re planning to go to medical school, go to UCLA debt-free! Keep your GPA as high as you can in undergrad and save your money for med school.
In my opinion, I think the quality of teaching/resources available at the top 30 schools in the country is almost exactly the same. You’ll also have more opportunities to really shine at UCLA than you would at Princeton.
You don’t sound like you need to be convinced. You obviously love UCLA-so go there
That said, if you do decide to go to Princeton, it’s definitely worth the money.
Thanks everyone for the quick responses! Although I really like UCLA, I’m still open to advice/suggestions. Thanks for the update @hoagiehaven I didn’t realize Princeton ended grade deflation last October! That was a major con for me. And hopefully I’ll be visiting Princeton in late April.
Does anyone have first hand experience or know someone who is/was premed at Princeton? It would be super helpful if I could contact them.
Lastly, will going to Princeton increase my chances of being accepted to a top medical school. How much do med schools factor the prestige/selectivity of your undergraduate university?
^bump
DO NOT I REPEAT DO NOT GO TO PRINCETON FOR PREMED
It’s funny because all the people I know who have graduated from Princeton had a VERY hard time getting into med school. One person I know graduated with a near perfect GPA and decent MCAT yet still found it VERY difficult to get into med school. UCLA would be a faaaar better choice for pre-med + you already love it. Don’t waste your time at Princeton lol.
Anyway, it seems like you alre
Dude, just go to UCLA. Why are you trying to convince yourself to go to another school when your dream, affordable option is waiting for you with open arms?
@uclabound1 If you reread your post above, you will see that you already answered your own question. Also,the concept and reality of being debt free is huge. True freedom comes from accepting responsibility and not owing anyone anything.
Read this
http://www.aei.org/publication/acceptance-rates-at-us-medical-schools-in-2013-reveal-racial-profiling-and-affirmative-discrimination-for-blacks-hispanics/
Good luck.
Obr0123
As you are a junior in high school, I am somewhat skeptical about the basis for your statement that “all the people I know who have graduated from Princeton had a VERY hard time getting into med school.” How many people is that actually? Even if one of your parents is a doctor, it is highly unlikely that they have known more than a handful of Princeton students who applied to medical school relatively recently.
I have been a fairly active Princeton alumna for a long time, have two children who have attended the school and know about ten students who applied to medical school in the past 7-8 years. All of them but one got into one of their top choices. The final one did get into medical school, but not one she was particularly happy about. She had a fairly mediocre MCAT score however.
To the OP - you have two excellent choices. Obviously, I believe that Princeton provides an extraordinary undergraduate education - wonderful professors with whom you can develop strong relationships from the beginning of your time at school, an administration that is focused on the undergraduate, unparalleled resources that are dedicated to making the undergraduate experience as rich as possible, a beautiful campus, and a smart, happy, diverse and generally low-key group of peers. I would advise you to visit and see what you think.
Full scholarship vs student debt. Go to UCLA.
You’ll need all your money for med school.
Are you considering the other schools you were accepted at? OP is at MIT CPW weekend, so it may all change come Monday.
@0br0123 I don’t know what other way to put this other than you are completely and totally incorrect. I’m not sure who your sources are but they are neither accurate nor representative of students who go into Pre Med at Princeton.
THIS is actual statistics coming directly from Princeton, not some unknown “friends” whom no one can confirm.
Princeton states:
How well do Princeton University students do on the MCAT?
In the last four years of the MCAT (Jan 2009-Aug 2012), the national mean for examinees was a 25.1 (a little over 8 in each of the three multiple choice sections), and about 32% of examinees scored in a competitive range (i.e. 29-45). Princeton’s mean score was a 32.4, with 82% scoring in the competitive range.
What percentage of Princeton University applicants get into health professional schools?
Princeton’s acceptance rate for students to medical, dental and veterinary schools is well above the national average. More importantly, our students feel well-prepared for their professional school, and do well once they’re accepted.
Which medical schools do Princeton students apply to and attend most often?
Many choose to attend public medical schools in their home state, where financing options are favorable and support networks close at hand. Many also choose urban areas with diverse patient populations. Med schools matriculating the most Princeton applicants over the past four years are Columbia, U Penn, Johns Hopkins, Harvard, UMDNJ – Robert Wood Johnson, New York University, Mount Sinai, and Case Western.
I really, really am irked when posters give advice on false and misleading information. At least get the facts straight. OP, go wherever you feel most comfortable. Don’t look over Princeton just because some anon says that their friend had a hard time getting to med school as Princeton will prepare you incredibly well for it. Best of luck.
@midatlmom I have a cousin and many senior friends and friends who have already graduated sooooooo
@Homeless2Princeton WHOOPS hmmmm wonder if your answer is biased
If you are enthusiastic about UCLA and are lukewarm about Princeton, go to UCLA and be enthusiastic there, and yield your spot at Princeton to someone else who is enthusiastic about Princeton. Most optimal arrangement, no?
4thfloor -I believe that the OP has never visited Princeton, so I’m not sure if it’s a question of being lukewarm about Princeton so much as having visited and loved UCLA. Hopefully, the OP will be able to visit Princeton and then be able to make the most informed decision.
Obr - the fact is that Princeton students get accepted to medical school at an extremely high rate (approximately 90%), which is why your statement that all the Princeton students you know have a hard time getting into medical school strikes me as misinformed at best. At any rate, I agree with Homeless2Harvard - the OP should make his/her own decision and not rule out Princeton on the basis of anonymous comments on this website.