<p>Alright, so I’m writing up The List and still having some qualms about whether or not I even want to apply to Princeton. I was hoping that some current students can give me feedback.</p>
<li><p>Eating clubs. I’m a non eating club person and want to know, are you honestly ostracized? Is there anyhting fun to do on weekends if you don’t join a club?</p></li>
<li><p>Location. I live in Jersey. I don’t want to be in the same state for my entire life. I want something new and being close to a city would help. Princeton though is totally surburbia. Have any students felt limited cause they weren’t super close to a city? Does it put a damper on social life?</p></li>
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<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>Well Princeton is close to NYC and Philly (~ 1 hr tops) by train, so it's great for weekends. Most kids who choose to go to Princeton (like me) like the fact that the campus doesn't disintegrate into a major city in the evenings.</p>
<p>Personally I'd consider applying to West coast schools like Stanford; I probably would have applied to Harvard or Stanford instead of Princeton had I grown up in New Jersey.</p>
<p>Hey twiggerific, I think you've asked two good questions.</p>
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<li>I'm so/so about the eating clubs, and I haven't felt any pressure to go to the clubs, nor any great division between students (i.e. "those who go to the clubs" and "those who don't go to the club"). It's definitely a scene that attracts a sizable portion of campus on Thursday or Saturday, but it's far from the only option, and if you don't go to the Street, you'll be far from alone. And absolutely no one will care; people are more mature than that.</li>
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<p>Also, since you asked about joining a club, remember that you wouldn't join a club till you're almost an upperclassman anyhow. If you don't join a club, you always have your residential college activities, as well as NYC or Philly.</p>
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<li>This is trickier, since the whole point of college is to grow, and it's legitimate to argue that going somewhere new may help with that. My suggestion would be to apply to Princeton, see if you get in, and once you do, visit to see if campus atmosphere feels too "familiar". I know a good number of NJ kids here, though, so you may decide you're fine.</li>
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<p>The city/suburb thing also goes along the same lines - it's always nice to try something new. But again, I'd say that unless you absolutely KNOW you don't want to be in a suburb, however close to cities, at least apply and see if you like campus once you have options in your hand. Cities are great, no doubt, but remember that suburbs can often offer safety as well as a unified campus culture, which are both great reasons to at least have that option open.</p>
<p>Hope I helped with at least some of your questions.</p>