<p>Princeton has ALWAYS included eating-club costs in its financial aid calculations. Because of the residential colleges, and the rise of at least one food co-op that isn’t an eating club, there is probably a lower percentage of Princeton students in eating clubs today than at any time in the past 60 years (i.e., post-post-war GI Bill bubble).</p>
<p>Duh Pasadena isn’t in Orange County. Apart from a trip to Disneyland in 1969, I have never set foot in Orange County, and I know practically nothing about communities there. I was just trying to come up with some sort of California reference point for the particular kind of suburb Princeton represents. Princeton’s income numbers are pretty similar to Yorba Linda’s.</p>
<p>My son is a senior at Princeton on almost a completely free ride thanks to Princeton’s very generous financial aid. It has been a wonderful experience for him, and he always felt like he fit in from the very beginning. What he loves most is the intellectual side and the accessibility of fantastic professors. He wanted to be part of an eating club even though I took a very dim view of them because they sounded fratty and snotty to me. I was wrong. You don’t have to rush or pledge, you just sign up. Anybody can join, and financial aid stretches to pay for it. It did exactly what he hoped it would do for him: it both widened and deepened the friendship pool, making it easier to really connect up with a great group of friends. His eating club is far from fancy or snotty. It’s pretty tatty really but attracts the creative types and has been great fun for him. I still can’t believe the experiences Princeton made available for him–a great internship in Berlin after sophomore year and an incredible two-month trip to Europe doing thesis research after junior year, amazing venues for discussion with world class minds as a fellow of a society in the humanities, a thesis advisor who has been the kindest, most delightful guide and inspiration you can imagine (as well as being a world famous scholar). Princeton really doesn’t deserve the country-clubby reputation it has. The only thing I would say is that it may be less politically involved than some other campuses.</p>
<p>After 6 years and two kids at Princeton, both in clubs, both on significant FA, would bring up a few more points. The process for all but about two of the “bicker” (selective) clubs is very simple, just “sign in” to join the majority of the clubs. For all but two of the selective clubs, the process is not a big deal and vast majority of students get their first choice, and can apply to more than one club, making process less of a big deal. Two of the clubs remain outside this joint bicker process unfortunately, but even those clubs mostly seem quite diverse and not at all fitting stereotypes of only being constituted of rich preppies. Would also say that the social scene is if anything more egalitarian and less money-focused than many other Ivys or city schools, because no way to spend money in Princeton (no places to go out really to drink/dance and not many places to spend money eating), so the very cheap parties at the clubs means that no one is spending much money outside tuition/eating plan at clubs or dining halls, which is in stark contrast to situation at Columbia/Penn/Harvard/Georgetown according to my daughters’ friends. </p>
<p>I think one can always find similar people in a college community. I know some people have an easy time assimilating and some take time. One person I know found it hard the first year since she felt a large number of students were from the private prep schools. And yes, I read in an article somewhere that there was one student whose biggest issue was her parents wouldn’t pay her 2K monthly shopping sprees But at the end of the day, there are plenty of well grounded kids and I think everyone finds their place.</p>
<p>Interesting article! I would take note that it is written by a freshman. Most Princeton students experience some significant adjustments first year and by second year and beyond find their “groove”. The P/D/F option is available expressly for the purpose of exploring courses outside a student’s natural comfort zone (except language courses, which is unfortunate). I think the greater issue is that almost all Princeton students were at the very top of their class and used to excelling well beyond their peers before coming to Princeton where they find themselves among a thousand others who share their level of accomplishment and talent. In time, I think most find that after they adjust to the new reality, the stimulation of being in this kind of academic environment causes them to thrive. </p>
But at the end of the day, there are plenty of well grounded kids and I think everyone finds their place.</p>