<p>Regardless of what you may “feel” for visiting campus for a few days, Princeton will provide the most academically enriching and rigorous undergraduate experience. I must admit, I visited other private schools, and in terms of the atmosphere and the people I met, Princeton wasn’t my top choice, nonetheless, I will be attending this fall. Then again, you don’t go to college to have a super-awesome time; you go there to get educated, and Princeton does the best job at that.</p>
<p>The issue is that once people get in and attend this school, they think they’re all high and mighty relative to the general population. Thus, the feeling of snobbery and elitism is perpetuated. I felt the same way after I was admitted, but I realized it’s ridiculous to think in such a manner. We were admitted to that school to fully take advantage of it’s resources and do something great with the knowledge we gain, not to gloat with this superficial concept of superiority.</p>
<p>:( i say dont start off so pessimistic. That kind of mindset probably inhibits you from putting as much effort as you can into the application …</p>
<p>I’m sorry that so many people have gotten negative impressions from Princeton. Like Jersey13, I’m a “long time inhabitant of central Jersey”, have taken classes at Princeton, and will be attending next year, so I’ve spent a lot more time with students than most people who have visited. I found Princeton by the friendliest of the three schools I previewed (the others were Harvard and Columbia). I am generally a quiet, introverted person, and Columbia made me feel awkward and nerdy. I felt a lot more comfortable at Harvard than at Columbia, but nevertheless I got the impression that I would soon be lost in the crowd of aggressive, competitive undergraduates. This isn’t a negative thing, and I loved everyone I met at Harvard, but I could tell that I wouldn’t be able to thrive there. At Princeton, I found a nurturing, “cozy” environment (possibly reinforced by the location) where people were like me. The students seemed more quirky and pleasant and the professors seemed to care much more about teaching. I also found that fewer people looked down on me for considering other schools at Princeton than at the other two places. I never encountered a hint of snobbery besides the occasional arrogance of a certain type of intelligent person which can be found with equal frequency at similar schools. I certainly didn’t encounter elitism - in fact, as per my recent thread, I felt awkward for NOT having received financial aid!</p>
<p>I’m hoping to apply. I’m a rising senior from a mediocre school in a small town in Jersey. I hope I have a chance. I’m also a black female so URM might give me a boost.</p>
<p>I will be applying. I’m from Texas which seems to send more people there than a lot of others states. I’m an URM and I probably don’t have a chance because of my GPA but the worst thing they can say is no. Then I’ll move on. :)</p>
<p>Princeton is amazing. You should all visit it. Like someone remarked in another thread, it’s like taking the Hogwarts express to Hogwarts (for those of you who continue to squeal at hp), but instead you take the train and a dinky to Princeton.</p>
<p>While I was visiting Princeton, my dad looked over at me during the tour and whispered, “So basically, going to Princeton is like going to Disneyland every day!”</p>
I’m a rising senior from a mediocre school in a small town in Jersey. I hope I have a chance. I’m also a black female so URM might give me a boost.</p>