<p>“Whatever you do do it quick because it might free up a space at Columbia for other waitliters.”</p>
<p>ok, the decision is a serious life-affecting one for ivyleaves, I would suggest taking some time, doing some more research and re-visiting the campuses if you can, it doesn’t matter if he decides now or in a few days.</p>
<p>Ivyleaves, princeton is top notch in all three you that you mentioned, but columbia is also very strong in all three. I doubt there’s much of disadvantage to studying those three from here, people get into top gradschools and get top jobs all the time, mmeyers was talking about MS, which is not completely applicable to BS, but still relevant.</p>
<p>Princeton is a very different campus and has a very different feel to it. One of my best friends spent a week at princeton and then 4 days at columbia with me. He found a stark difference between the two. He was a little disgusted by princeton’s “arrogance, affluence and exclusivity.” He said he felt like an unwanted guest at an eating club when he met people. He felt at home at columbia calling it more laid back, friendly, diverse and balanced. He is obviously an extreme case and clearly either had a horrible experience at princeton or just was a complete misfit. But worry about fit, because they are very different student bodies.</p>
<p>princeton is more academic, more undergrad focused, less liberal, more resource rich, has better alumni connections.</p>
<p>Columbia is more well rounded, less undergrad focused but still heavily undergrad focused, more diverse and liberal, more into community service, more political, more beauraucratic, more involved with off campus stuff, more enterprising, less elitist, and close but not as strong in the academic disciplines you mentioned.</p>
<p>If you chose princeton, it’ll suck to see you go, but the choices are great either way.</p>