<p>
[quote]
-Friendly laid-back summer camp atmosphere vs I'm not going to try to describe Princeton's atmosphere, but it's different imo.
[/quote]
Okay, I lived on S's campus for a month during the summer, where I had the chance to talk to S students...and they said that while in the beginning it's basically Camp Stanford, people buckle down and the whole "summer camp" thing goes away. It's still amazing, but it's not camp by any means. I'd like to know what you think of the atmosphere at P.</p>
<p>
[quote]
- I like the dorm unity and feel as well as dining hall, library, buildings, campus better at Stanford
[/quote]
Yes...and you have an entire residential college with which to ally yourself. I guess it just comes down to personal preferences for residential life. I personally think Stanford's is too fragmented, whereas Princeton's is much more cohesive for the entire student body. I could go on and on about why I strongly dislike Stanford's theme and ethnic housing, but there's no point if that's what you like. Again, just me.</p>
<p>
[quote]
- I want to do IR, which is obviously more prestigious at Princeton, but apparently was invented as a major in Stanford!?
[/quote]
You have a lot of opportunities to do a lot of things with IR/IA at Princeton. Not only do you have IR within the politics department, not only do you have IA in the very prestigious WWS, but you also have the Princeton Institute for International and Regional Studies, which brings together scholars from around campus and around the world for an ongoing dialogue and research of IR/IA issues our world faces.</p>
<p>
[quote]
- I'm more of a liberal vegetarian than popped collar preppie
[/quote]
I'm certainly not the latter...and I'm going to Princeton, as are many others in the class who aren't "popped collar preppies." It's time for the public to dispell the whole "homogeneous Princeton" stereotype. Our class is one of the most diverse (if not the most) in the history of the university. That in itself should say something.</p>
<p>
[quote]
- I don't want to hurt my chances for success in an east coast life.
[/quote]
Good. Come to Princeton :p Actually, a Stanford degree will take you very far as well, but having the East Coast experience and the access to the multitude of resources available over here (especially since you want to end up there) will, in my opinion, boost your chances of finding an excellent job post-grad or even provide great resources for grad school studies.</p>
<p>
[quote]
- I feel that it comes down to me liking Stanford environment and Princeton academics, although I also feel like this is a gross simplification since Stanford has great academics and Princeton has a great environment, so I am scared to even say this thought out loud.
[/quote]
You're right. They both have it all. But it comes down to which lifestle you prefer more. The West Coast is different from the East Coast, though you say location really doesn't matter to you. You'd be surprised how much weather impacts the overall disposition of students. Princeton students now are raving over the beautiful reintroduction of life into their world because of the shift from winter to spring. Seasons are great, and I for one can't wait to experience them (finally) after eighteen years of basically having summer and (a poor excuse of) winter.</p>
<p>You're right, the decision is coming up soon. I honestly hope you end up choosing Princeton, but you've just got to either look deep inside and say, "Stop kidding yourself, dude. You know you'd be best off going to [insert school name]." Or perhaps wait for that grand epiphany that comes at the most random of times. Either way, best of luck! :)</p>