Emory vs. Princeton

<p>As a parent, I can't read this thread and not comment. Emory is an excellent institution. My S was admitted there but has chosen to go elsewhere. However, he would have received an excellent education at Emory. Regardless, if my child was admitted to Princeton (full disclosure, he applied and was not) and he was indecisive between those two schools......well, there is absolutely no doubt where I would push him to go and that's to Princeton University. Your child has the unique opportunity to attend one of the great educational institutions in the world. Emory is a great place, but, really.....unless there's financial aspects involved (e.g., scholarships, f/a), there's no choice here.</p>

<p>I don't have any allegiance to either school. I do think Emory is one of the top schools in the country and I'd be proud if one of my kids went there. That said, I don't think giving up Princeton (or Harvard, Yale, MIT) would be a good idea; maybe my view is outdated but these schools are the best and there's a reason for that: best students, faculty, post-graduation opportunities, all that, plus an "oh wow" name to follow you the rest of your life.</p>

<p>If he loved Emory on a visit and hated Princeton, that's different. Btw Princeton's weather isn't that bad...as a New Jerseyan our winters are generally mild (but not like Atlanta's).</p>

<p>don't fool yourself atlanta gets cold</p>

<p>Emory is a good school but c'mon I would have loved to have a shot at Princeton and with some money to boot. That's a lottery ticket.</p>

<p>Seconded.</p>

<p>But hey, I'm sure there are plenty of kids who chose Princeton because they felt they "couldn't not" and don't like it. People come to Emory because they choose to, not because they feel they have to, which makes for a pretty happy student body.</p>

<p>ED makes for happy student bodies.</p>

<p>Emory is nice, but Princeton is Princeton.</p>

<p>Jmbarr, I dont know of many Emory grads that actually chose to be there. In fact I hear that many of them chose it after they were rejected from other schools. But all in all they were happy with their choice.</p>

<p>As a parent, I would ask your son why he likes one school versus the other? How committed is he to a career in accounting? Would he want to take business classes as an undergrad or would it be preferable to get an undergraduate degree in say, economics and then apply for a M.B.A. in the future? I also think you could probably negotiate with Emory to match Princeton's offer so that should not enter into the equation. Although Princeton is more recognized, and quite a number of responders here have stated their preference, I am not sure it makes that much difference in the long run, especially if he is happy with his college choice and does well there. Like many important decisions we make later in life-jobs, marriage, etc., they are not based on "prestige" only but on many factors. The balancing of competing priorities, defining life goals, finding out what works best or fits best for him are important processes for a young man to work through. It is important for him to make his own decision, define what is important to him, and then make the most out of his decision. As a parent, I would enthusiastically support him, regardless of my own personal preference. Afterall, he is the one going to college.<br>
Many years ago I encountered a somewhat similar situation when I chose a LAC over an Ivy League university, and am grateful that my parents allowed me to make my own choice.</p>