<p>I am currently having trouble choosing between Princeton and Columbia, for Early Action. I have gone through many forums and gleaned as much information as possible about the two institutions. Yet I couldn't find sufficient details about the diversity of the student body at Princeton. I was told once that there is a relatively high population of Indians in Princeton than there is in any other Ivy League college. Is that true? Also I would like to know more about the environs. Thanks</p>
<p>There is definitely a substantial and prominent Indian-American contingent at Princeton, no idea how it compares to Columbia, the stats don’t break out Indian-Americans from more general category of Asian-Americans. There are quite a few arts groups focused on Indian genres (Bangra for instance). Not sure what you mean about the environs. In terms of Indian Americans living there? Or just more generally? The two big differences between Columbia and Princeton are the locations and the core curriculum. Columbia very urban and somewhat cramped campus, many many students live off campus after first year or two, social life more focused on going out in the city, which is exciting but also very expensive, so social life there tends to be quite stratified by wealth (also in terms of apartments where upperclassmen live, roommates may need to be financially similar in what they can afford). Princeton is in suburb that has little if anything that attracts students off campus other than a few restaurants, the campus is large and gorgeous, but NYC and Philly aren’t far if one feels a need to go urban or get to arts events outside the orange bubble. Almost 100% of undergrads live on campus all 4 years, social life is completely campus-based, and as a result, despite the reputation for WASPy exclusivity, there is much less of an emphasis on spending money for much of anything (even the most snooty eating clubs are serving cheap beer and charging $5 to get in). Columbia has a much more rigid set of core requirements, Princeton has lots of distribution requirements, but not hard to comply even without trying.</p>
<p>As for the environs, yes, I am wondering about the Indian American population. New Jersey is quite known to be holding a high population of Indians right? So is the campus’ social life by any chance influenced by that?
So is it hard to find on campus accommodation in Columbia as an upperclassman? Also, is it true that there isn’t much Alumni support at Columbia(in terms of funding the college’s/students’ activities), relative to other Ivy League schools?
I would also like to know about the opportunities for theater at both Princeton and Columbia. Which one offers better possibilities?</p>
<p>I think there was an article in the DP that mentioned a very vibrant Indian American “environment” at Princeton. </p>
<p>I’m not sure why you’re asking for info about Columbia in this forum…anyways Princeton has one of the highest (if not the highest) rates of alumni-giving according to several rankings of this metric. Alumni love Princeton! I didn’t see Columbia anywhere there and I feel like Columbians aren’t as attached to their school. Read some articles in their student paper–that’s where I got this vibe from. </p>
<p>Also Princeton has the largest per-capita endowment so…more money per student but again, most universities aren’t really spending their endowments.</p>
<p>Highest alumni giving rate for quite a while now.</p>
<p>Also, I think we have like 60% of students on need-based, no-loan financial aid (avg grant = 40,000$) and between 40-50% students who are of color.</p>
<p>There is a big Indian-American community in New Jersey. Restaurants along the highway to Princeton from New York are only one point of evidence. The town of Princeton itself however is not particularly Indian per se.</p>
<p>The students speaking here can talk more directly to the Indian and Indian-American student presence.</p>
<p>Princeton itself is a little under 3% Indian-American. A little over two miles away, in West Windsor, about 15% to 20% of the residents are Indian-American.</p>
<p>Current Student here. The indian population is actually quite small. Not even close to what you would expect. I don’t know how Columbia is, but there are few indians here. But those that are here tend to have a strong cultural identity with their clubs/groups.</p>
If you go south about 25 miles to North Edison, NJ, at least 50% are Indians, and nearby Iselin has a street like Indian town.
I am pretty sure that their influence on Princeton is almost zero.</p>
<p>There are TONS of South Asian/Indian cultural groups that are not only active and prominent on campus, but really fun and open to everyone. To name a couple: Naacho (South Asian dance company, I have a lot of friends in there and they love it), SASA (South Asian Students Association), etc.</p>