<p>I am deciding between Yale or Princeton early action. Can anyone with a good sense of both schools give me a bit of advice as to which school I should choose for early action? (which school I'd have a better chance at early, which one fits my interests better)</p>
<p>A few stats:</p>
<ul>
<li>Asian American</li>
<li>2390 SAT </li>
<li>800 Chemistry / 800 Math II Subject Tests</li>
<li><p>National AP Scholar (perfect score of 5 on 8 AP exams) </p></li>
<li><p>Extremely dedicated cellist (many national & regional awards, have been playing for 10 years)</p></li>
<li><p>Heavily involved in science-related extracurriculars, lots of regional/state awards</p></li>
<li><p>Both of my teacher recommendations are excellent. My English teacher told me I was one of the best students he's had, and I'm sure my math teacher wrote me a great rec as well (and both are great writers). </p></li>
</ul>
<p>I am considering either a chemistry or music degree in college.</p>
<p>Both Princeton and Yale are fantastic universities. They both offer significant focus on the undergraduate experience. Princeton has no law or medical school. Some see this as an advantage because of the sole focus on undergraduates. Others believe that Yale offers some preference to its undergraduates for its law and medical programs so that may be a factor in someone’s thinking. Aside from all the academic criteria, the feel of both campuses is different. Some prefer the pulse of New Haven while others favor the charm of Princeton. Yale has the residential college system but has all Freshmen start living together on Old Campus. Princeton has a hybrid residential college system (some colleges are 2 year affiliations, others are 4 year affiliations) and many upperclassmen participate in the eating clubs or join cooperatives, or continue dining plans through their college systems. </p>
<p>There is no clear cut answer to your question because it depends on who you are as an individual and which college you connected with the most. You should apply early wherever you can envision yourself living and learning. Also, bear in mind that if last year’s cycle is any indication, most applicants at either school will be deferred into the regular pool. I don’t have any concrete information but early admissions at most top colleges confers a benefit primarily to recruited athletes, the talented URMs, and legacy pools. </p>
<p>Good luck with your decision! And remember, you can always apply regular to the other college!</p>
<p>One other difference that may affect your choice. Princeton does not allow double majors. Most student choose a concentration and then add certificates (music performance is one). This is because you will have to engage in original undergraduate research and work culminating in a thesis paper in the department of your concentration. Yale permits double majors but not any minors. Also, some majors are by application only.</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools but if you end up getting into both I’d pick Princeton if I were you. My app was similar to yours in terms of scores / sciency stuff.
Princeton’s just stronger in science / engineering right now. There are several articles in YDN bemoaning the state of science education at Yale.</p>
<p>The comments scare me. The fact that Yale is trying so hard to recruit science majors seems so desperate. Yale is playing catch-up because they’ve been neglecting science/engineering for a long time (consistent 30-40 ranking in undergrad engineering for the third oldest university in the U.S.? What a joke; rankings aren’t everything but that’s just terrible) </p>
<p>You will have more resources and opportunities at Princeton. And Princeton’s top in every field it participates in (econ, philosophy, math, chem [new chem building is super nice], literature, fine arts, the list goes on) so you can always switch majors.</p>
<p>Maybe in several years Yale will be better but until then I’d suggest getting the best undergrad education in the world at Princeton.</p>
<p>Thanks for all of the great, helpful feedback everyone! I really appreciate all of your advice (we don’t have college counselors at my school so I rely on websites/college confidential a lot). </p>
<p>What about the social experience at Princeton? Yale seems to emphasize its sense of community/residential colleges a lot more than Princeton (but Princeton has residential colleges as well!)…could anyone comment on how good/bad the social life is at Princeton?</p>
<p>It’s not any different at Harvard where my son is, You have to “comp” for every activity…the newspaper, the radio station etc…which means you “try out” and basically get hazed for a semester and then only some make it…</p>
<p>Definition of comping from The Crimson:
Comping: 1. Harvard-speak for the sometimes-competitive training process for joining a student group. 2. Still the only way to get on the staff of The Crimson, the Advocate, or the Lampoon.</p>
<p>and actually if you google auditions/try outs Yale. you’ll see the same thing happens there…all HYP still have exclusive clubs as well…at least at Princeton a lot are coed…</p>
<p>It’s my impression that more Juniors and Seniors live off campus at Yale than at Princeton. Correct me if I am wrong.</p>
<p>The Princeton extra-curricular environment is less competitive than the way Harvard has been described to me. For example, the Daily Princetonian is pretty easy to write for. Princeton on the whole attracts people less drawn to overt competition, in my experience, and has always done so. I think it’s the suburban environment, and less brand fervor.</p>
<p>@arwarw Are you implying that all of Yale’s extracurricular groups are open to all? Is the Skull and Bones ‘secret society’ particularly welcoming? There are exclusive groups at any college, H(has somehow been brought into this discussion) Y and P are no exception.</p>