<p>So I had my Princeton interview and my interviewer was a conservative debater who had graduated in 2005. We had great things to talk about I recently found out that princeton allows the ROTC on campus, something that other top schools sadly do not do.
I personally am economically liberal and socially very conservative, so i wanted to ask how conservative is Princeton? It seems from my observations that it is more conservative than comparable academic schools, but is this true?</p>
<p>As with all Ivies, it’s socially liberal, I think. And probably fiscally somewhat conservative, due to the individuals in higher income brackets. Still, I’m sure there’s some form of conservative base there, if a small one. I believe I read an article on the Princeton Republicans after the election; it did say they were the minority, though.</p>
<p>There is a conservative base, with several different groups fostering conservative ideals. They are the minority on campus, but they are a vocal minority.</p>
<p>I’d say that many people here are pretty conservative economically, actually more than I thought before I came. I’d estimate that about half of the people I know are economically conservative. Social conservatives are definitely a minority, although as someone mentioned they are pretty vocal. Just google Robert George.</p>
<p>Conservatives are definitely the minority on campus, but there are lots of opportunities to get involved with other conservatives, such as The Tory, Anscombe Society,etc.</p>
<p>Political poll on campus: ~15% McCain, ~85% Obama.</p>
<p>It’s liberal in numbers but not in commitment, if that makes any sense - like most ppl are liberal as a matter of principle but aren’t engaged in the same sort of liberal activism that is common at many universities.</p>
<p>hmm. really interesting, because I thought princeton was the most convservative of Ivy Leagues?</p>
<p>^^ that’s compared to the rest of the Ivies perhaps, but princeton by itself is still liberal.</p>
<p>In the context of the Ivies, Princeton and Dartmouth are supposed to be the most conservative, I believe (though I could be wrong). However, that’s when compared to other IVIES. They are, by definition, a hot bed of east coast liberalism. (Which, for the record, is fine by me. =D )</p>
<p>Haha yea. Its all relative.</p>
<p>Well, if you are anything like me (a working-class social democrat from Canada), then Princeton is indeed a conservative place – more conservative than any major university in Canada, at least. My interviewer affirmed this.</p>
<p>Yeah it was surprising to me that my interviewer was conservative and was a recent alum too. It seems as if Princeton may be the most conservative of the Ivies I applied to which certainty inclines me toward going there more if I get in.</p>
<p>I’ve found Princeton to be a very mixed bag in this regard. On one hand, there are some very Democratic/liberal groups and people on campus, and the campus overall probably leans to the left, but there is also a sizable conservative faction on campus (example: the Anscombe Society). If anything, it makes Princeton a lot more interesting to have such a wide variety and heterogeneity of political/moral worldviews.</p>
<p>conservative on social issues… jeez, stay away from the ivy league plz</p>
<p>^^Gotta love open-mindedness</p>
<p>On a more serious note, I have noticed alot that when I mention I am socially conservative people instantly insult me. I have never done the same when a person expouses a liberal viewpoint and i would just ask that others would do the same.
What I want from a college is not to have the same views expressedd that would be boring, but to be in an environment where I won’t be dehumanized and insulted because I have a different opinion and that is what I hope Princeton will be and what I am looking for.</p>
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<p>It’s because your social conservative viewpoints are based on religious doctrine. I have some socially conservative views (less immigration, abolish affirmative action, abolish welfare, and many very politically incorrect ideas). But I can substantiate these opinions without appealing to “faith” or religion or God. People don’t take your arguments seriously because you holding them is, primarily, founded on your religious beliefs.</p>
<p>LESS IMMIGRATION, ABOLISH AFFIRMATIVE ACTION, ABOLISH WELFARE! Impossible!</p>
<p>…and then there’s me, with my ‘Voices for Choices’ bag and and “nationalize the banks!” pins. =P Although, in my defense, I generally don’t jump all over people for expressing conservative views. Argue with them in an appropriate setting, yes, but for the most part I wait till the introductions are over. Part and parcel of being a liberal in the south, I think. =P</p>