<p>I really wish I could elaborate more, but I wouldn’t even know where to begin!</p>
<p>I guess one thing I could say to those who might be caught in the Harvard-Princeton-Yale quarry is that unlike both Yale and Harvard, Princeton is completely 100% focused on the undergrads. The professors’ number one priority is for undergrads, and the grad students are essentially there only to provide support/advice/intellectual stimulus for the undergraduates. I think that focus is pretty unique amongst almost all of the higher tier schools I can think of. When you come here for undergrad, it’s like being a superstar on campus. I don’t know how to describe it, but if they started putting chocolates on our pillows every night I don’t think that many people would be surprised. We’re completely spoiled, especially by the professors, who, in general, love meeting new freshman more than anything! </p>
<p>Ask me questions!!! I"ll tell you anything!! I want you all to come soooo much! (And I’m hosting both weekends for Princeton Preview so you could end up in my room! )</p>
<p>i’m in and looks that is where i’m going. I knew of the pure undergrad focus which I like, but also heard rumors of a grade deflation policy and competitiveness and kids study their butts off… is that so?</p>
<p>Sooooo grade deflation…
As you can imagine it’s pretty unpopular in the student body. No one likes to average their grades out to an A and then get an A- on their transcript. So we moan and groan about it a lot, but I also think a lot of people complain that they’re getting deflated when they really just didn’t earn an A. It’s ridiculously hard to gets A’s.<br>
That being said, grad colleges/employers know this, and so when they do see A’s on your transcript they’re really impressed. I don’t think it hurts us in the long run and I know the university throws out tons of stats about how we still get employed just as much and so on and so forth, and I’m inclined to believe them, although there are definitely students who are really vehemently opposed to it.
As to the competitiveness aspect, in my experience that’s not true. I mean, obviously, we all got into Princeton, so we’re all naturally super-competitive and super-ambitious. That being said, about 2 seconds after getting here, if not before, everyone resigns themselves to getting SIGNIFICANTLY lower grades than they’re used to, so it’s not actually vicious. From my personal experience, I’ve been in math classes both semesters and have only survived through working in groups to solve problem sets and studying before exams. I consider the people in my classes my personal tutors. In all classes, people who miss borrow each other notes and before exams tons of people cluster up to have study sessions and go through each others notes and such. I mean I guess there are definitely people who want to keep to themselves and not help anyone else, but in general, we’re all just normal people and if you need help, people will help you.</p>
<p>Oh, and about studying our butts off. Yes. We work A LOT. </p>
<p>But in general it’s because we choose to have it that way. If you got into Princeton it’s because you made good grades taking the hardest classes while playing four sports and opening a homeless shelter in Nicaragua or whatever. The same goes for us once we get on campus. Everyone joins loads of extracurriculars, and in general those are the big time drains, not work. So you can actually regulate how busy you are.</p>
<p>Also, the work isn’t so bad because it’s vastly more interesting and more relevant than 90% of what you learn in high school (ok, I went to a horrible public school so I may be biased there) and it will really challenge you and you will learn from it. There’s no such thing as busy work here.</p>
<p>Finally, you usually take 4 classes, 5 max. So yea, each class is assigning loads of work, but you have loads more time than in high school or even at another college where you might be taking 6 classes or so. </p>
<p>There’s definitely time to do the extracurriculars you want, have fun and just relax with your friends, sleep, and get your work done. So some days you may have to cut out one or two of the above to make it work, but in general it evens out. I mean I’m here procrastinating by writing essays on College Confidential, in between doing work until about 6:15 when some friends and I are trekking to Forbes for dinner (it’s pasta night mmmmmmmm) and then I’m going to a music concert, immediately followed by a study break with my Resident Grad students, and then will probably go out to the Eating Clubs.</p>
<p>any suggestions on how to practically better deal with the shock of “…SIGNIFICANTLY lower grades…” besides mental preparations so as to smooth out/shorten the journey to reach the point of acceptance…</p>
<p>Honestly, just being mentally prepared makes a big difference. Also, it’s better when you realize that everyone is in the same boat. I know two juniors who have yet to make their first A’s and not for want of trying. In the end I think it’s actually better that way. We’re coming from being the best at everything, so I think being in a place where you are by no means the best is a humbling experience that builds character. </p>
<p>Sorry if that sounds cheesy lol I swear I’m a normal person.</p>
<p>How should I look at the advantages to choosing one of these?? Offered full scholarship at all…Chemistry is my main interest and probably end up in med school…</p>
<p>I am in a tough spot having to choose between Harvard/Princeton/Penn…what made you choose Princeton? My major is chemistry and probably pre-med track</p>
<p>Ok, so picking a college is obviously a very personal choice, and without knowing you it’s hard for me to just lay out reasons I think you should come here (Princeton!!) and it could easily just not be the right place for you (but it is!! )…</p>
<p>Also I obviously don’t go to Harvard/Penn/etc. so I can’t speak for them…</p>
<p>as far as chemistry goes though, we did JUST (I want to say maybe just a few months ago) open a GORGEOUS brand new Chemistry building that’s considered pretty much the best facility of its kind, all modernized and what not, and it’s been drawing lots of publicity for our chemistry and other science departments, and is likely to attract a lot of a Chem professors/researches/upcoming students which will definitely bolster that department and its world renown… always good if you’re planning on being in that department…</p>
<p>Also we’re working on the new “science” neighborhood that’s all interdisciplinary and all of the science buildings are connected. The Physics and Computer Sci building is brand-new too, like 1 yr old or something. If you’re interested in that kind of stuff I don’t know enough about it, not being a super-science-y person but you should definitely search “New Frick Chemistry Lab” and the science neighborhood and things and find out about them.</p>
<p>Heyy! so Hey guys I am accepted to Jonhs Hopkins biomedical engineering, MIT, Yale, Stanford, Tufts, an Princeton (I didnt get any rejections WOOHOOO). I really want to study bioengineering! How does Pricneton do in engineering generaelly, and bio engineering specifically, when compared to JH, MIT, and Stanford? and are the certificaes worth it at Princeton? Any help will be appreciated :)</p>
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