<p>When I spoke to the Dean of Admissions (Princeton), he appeared appalled by the probability that a student would want to apply to Princeton to attempt to get into the Woodrow Wilson School. (unfortunately, that student is yours truly). </p>
<p>I remember him saying "one shouldn't apply to a school for the programme, but for the school culture and general atmosphere etc." He also added that it was not smart to go to a school for a programme because the level of education at all the top schools are similar.</p>
<p>So is anyone guilty of choosing a school for the programme.. or are our actions perfectly justifiable?</p>
<p>I'm of the exact opposite opinion a schools "culture and general atmosphere" all tend to be the same: sex drugs and drinking, oh and liberal academics that insert their politics every other word. I don't understand why people visit colleges. You can't get a feeling for a school over 1 visit. I bet $10 if you would return a week later you'd get a different feel. I'd bet $20 if you came to the school you'd get an even more different feeling. Chose a school based on what you want to do with yourself, what program you want, what you want to study and who do you want to be taught by for the next four years. Everything else will be, give or take, the same at most schools.</p>
<p>That is if you want to be something that princenton has a great program in, go for it. The buildings at princenton and the feeling you get from a 3 hour pre-canned, polished tour shouldn't make a difference. As for the culture I believe it will be more or less the same at most schools. Now of course there will be connesiurs on this website who will point out fine differences and tell us how different students are at different schools but that's because they are missing the big picture. Look at it from a global scale and all American students are approximately the same.</p>
<p>The dean of admissions at Princeton is a woman, Janet Rapelye. You may have spoken with an admissions officer. Perhaps he meant, don't apply to a school SOLELY (especially Princeton) for a program which you might not get into (the Woodrow Wilson school). At Princeton, only half the students who want to get into the WoodyWoo get in.</p>