<p>Well the bit about Princeton students being happier (because of being in suburbia) is debatable but I'm sure not everyone thinks the 'burbs suck. It's just a case of "the grass is greener on the other side" because I live in NYC and I want to leave it for college, and perhaps even live elsewhere after graduation. A lot of people want college to be a change of atmosphere and they want to be in a different setting than the one they grew up in. When I was visiting Princeton, the tourguide specicially said "Princeton is not a college town" but all I could think about was how much grass there was. :p</p>
<p>Personally, I'm not really sure how big a role Urban v. Suburban plays in the college decision process, especially when it comes down to Harvard vs. Princeton. Princeton is a very upscale, densely populated, sophisticated suburb within spitting distance of NYC and Philly. It's not exactly Wal-Mart's and Cracker Barrel's (although US 1 is decidedly suburban sprawl). And Cambridge is not exactly midtown-Manhattan. Cmoing from NY, I actulaly think it has a more suburban than urban feel to it. </p>
<p>And lastly, when it comes to these hyper-selective schools, most kids are lucky enough to get into one. Very few have the luxury of choosing between H and Y and P. So yeah, I don't think the surrounding areas effects the choices as much as people might assume.</p>
<p>Tons of people apply to Columbia because of New York City. They are so proud of that. It depends on the student, but the campus/surroundings definitely had a big impact in my decision. After the academic quality, I think it was the most important factor for me. I was (and am) just so thirsty for grass and clean air lol. But yea, Harvard and Princeton aren't extremes at all. Also coming from NY, I thought Boston was kind of a lame excuse for a city, but I am a diehard new yorkers who can't stand Boston's shoddy subway system.</p>
<p>word. im not a big fan of boston, period.</p>
<p>new yorker born, and not raised.</p>