<p>Hi,
I am deciding between Princeton and Yale. I want to major in Environmental Science which Yale has, along with a 5 year Masters program while Princeton only has an Environmental Studies Certificate program. (I'm not really interested in any of the majors...) So does this mean it would be better to go to Yale? </p>
<p>I've read the old Yale vs. Princeton threads and it seems Princeton rules in sciences while Yale dominates in humanities. Does this go for Environmental Science/Policy as well?</p>
<p>I want to major in Environmental Science and perhaps go to medical school...</p>
<p>All opinions and comments appreciated.</p>
<p>I am planning to go to Bulldog days and April Housing.
But I wanted to know academically speaking...</p>
<p>Well namooangel, even though Yale has a dedicated program in Environmental Science, Princeton's environmental science "certificate" actually involves many great courses in a variety of disciplines, as environmental science is actually made up of many many disciplines from politics and policy making to biochemistry to geosciences to anthropology to ecology. In fact, I think majoring in a dedicated Environmental Science major could actually make you less well-rounded when you finish up. Princeton has courses with PEI (Princeton Environmental Institute) in the Woodrow Wilson School of Public and International Affairs, which is a policy powerhouse. </p>
<p>In addition, many students who are pursuing the Environmental Science certificate (like I will), find that its very useful to have the more formal education in the hard natural sciences. Many people I know are getting the certificate with a major in Geosciences, some do it with Civil Engineering, some do it with Chemistry, and I'm looking to do it with Ecology and Evolutionary Biology because of my interest in wildlife conservation. </p>
<p>I think you have to look deeper than what you see in the Course Announcement or on the websites of these schools. Just because a school has a major in something doesn't mean that its good. I'm not saying that Yale's major is bad, because honestly I don't know, but I am saying that its better to scrutinize more closely.</p>
<p>thank you so much tokyorevelation 9, i didn't think of it in those terms...</p>
<p>I agree with tokyorevelation. The environmental science certificate isn't "just a certificate" and is designed to expose you to the many fields that inform environmental science.</p>
<p>The fact that you have to major in something else can be thought of as allowing you to specialize in a particular aspect of environmental science.</p>
<p>Also, it is important to consider that Princeton is one of the strongest of the Ivies in the natural/physical sciences.</p>
<p>Princeton also has connections to a radio station in CA that does environmental programming and kids do internships there.</p>
<p>Namooangel, what an agonizing but privileged choice you have to make! Congratulations on your multiple acceptances! Below are links to some interesting articles about environmental activism on campus and faculty research related to environmental issues. Both Princeton and Yale are wonderful institutions. I don't think you can go wrong with either. I would encourage you to visit both campuses, talk with professors in the relevant departments and then trust your heart. Good luck and, again, congratulations!</p>
<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/06/0619/10a.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/06/0619/10a.shtml</a> = Prof. Ward's work related to global nitrogen cycle</p>
<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/07/0219/1a.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/07/0219/1a.shtml</a> = environmental activism on campus</p>
<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/06/0410/7b.shtml%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/06/0410/7b.shtml</a> = research on methane emission controls</p>
<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/98/1207/pei.htm%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/98/1207/pei.htm</a> = studies on the effects of trace metals on ecosystems</p>
<p><a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/02/0311%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/02/0311</a> = "Green" campus initiatives by Princeton administration</p>
<p><a href="http://web.princeton.edu/sites/PEI/environmental.html%5B/url%5D">http://web.princeton.edu/sites/PEI/environmental.html</a> = Program in Environmental Studies</p>