<p>I attended Princeton undergrad and MIT as a grad student. I was not a math major. Both universities are top ranked for mathematics. Do not make a decision on Princeton or MIT based on opinions on the respective math departments. Consider the total undergraduate experience at both universities. </p>
<p>MIT is serious science. Everyone wants to be a scientist or an engineer. MIT offers an outstanding education in math, science and engineering; the best in many fields. MIT is great if you want to concentrate on math and science. Princeton is better for students whose interests go beyond those fields. MIT does not make as much effort to graduate students who are well rounded academically. MIT enables students to pursue their specialized interests. MIT is very good for students that are committed to their major. Princeton encourages students to switch majors. Princeton wants students to take courses out of their comfort zone.</p>
<p>Princeton offers an outstanding education in math, science and engineering, AND the liberal arts, AND the fine arts. If you want to major in math and to take economics, attend campus plays, go to a football games, study a foreign language, become a creative writer, study literature or philosophy then Princeton is the choice. Your roommates at Princeton will be foreign language majors, future attorneys, science majors, economic majors, future politicians, future college professors in the liberal arts, etc. </p>
<p>MIT is big city. Princeton is located in a small town. MIT’s buildings look like office buildings or an industrial park. Princeton looks like Medieval castles. </p>
<p>Princeton has 5,113 undergraduates and 2,479 grad students. MIT has 4,232 undergraduates and 6,152 grad students. Princeton is more focused on undergraduate education. MIT is 55% male, 45% female. Princeton is 51% male, 49% female. </p>
<p>The mathematics education available at both universities is outstanding. However, the student life at the two universities is very different. Consider the educational environment that you want for the next four years. What activities do you like to relax, want do you want to do to have fun? I suspect that if you spend one day at each university you will know which environment that you prefer.</p>