<p>I’m not familiar with the programs you are interested in at either school, but I did have to make a Columbia/Princeton decision, so I’ll try to give you a quick breakdown of my personal opinions/observations.</p>
<p>They are definitely two very different campuses, and if you have a chance to visit both it would definitely help you.</p>
<p>Columbia is obviously urban, which is a pretty stark contrast to Princeton, which is located in a smaller town, but with access to the city for the occasional getaway.</p>
<p>In regards to the mentioned “arrogance, affluence and exclusivity” :
Personally, I did not see much arrogance or exclusivity on my Princeton visit… everyone I met seemed pretty friendly. Everybody views the eating clubs differently, so that really is more about personal preferences. Some may see it as elitist and exclusive, others view it as a way to bring together social life on one street and bringing much of the campus together. I’m not sure how I feel about it yet, but it’s not one of my major concerns. However, I will admit that there is definitely a feel of “affluence” about the place. Its style (as far as what people wear) is probably a bit more preppy, though I didn’t sense a prevalent “preppy” attitude. I definitely saw a few ‘alternative’ people, so I think there is a niche for those who lie outside the mainstream. I do think Columbia has a much stronger liberal presence, and is more politically active (there is some political activism at Princeton too, but definitely not as much)</p>
<p>I think Columbia is a great school, if you’re looking for a more urban campus. It has a much bigger feel to it than Princeton does, and I do think the location gives it a “fast-paced” and “bustling” feel, too. Princeton is a more typical campus, almost idyllic (IMO, it looks like Hogwarts). I don’t think one is necessarily better than the other, and it’s completely subjective.</p>
<p>I hope this helped you… remember that these are just my first impressions, so it may not be entirely correct.</p>
<p>Good luck!</p>