<p>My s is a freshman at Duke who never even applied to any Ivies because he preferred the friendly, non-elitist atmosphere at Duke. His hs girlfriend is a freshman at Princeton who chose it because of rankings and she is very unhappy there and is considering a transfer. I think you have to decide what is most important to you and where and with whom you would like to spend the next 4 years of your life and not worry so much about prestige -- they are both great schools.</p>
<p>I'm going add my son's opinion of his visit to P, but this thread really points out that it has to be an individual "comfort level" decision. Son couldn't attend prefrosh, but went the week before and had a fabulous, interesting visit (with not even a hint of "elitist" attitude mentioned elsewhere). When we picked him up after a couple days and walked around campus he knew tons of people and felt completely at home. If it was up to him he would have spent the rest of the semester in a sleeping bag on the floor and never gone back to HS! According to him, the students were brilliant, hard-working and friendly, the classes and profs outstanding, and the campus beautiful. Son is just a regular, middle-class, public school kid who felt welcomed and included by everyone. He went with an open heart and attitude, and was met with the same.</p>
<p>It's such a great feeling when a school is a perfect fit!!</p>
<p>I will probably attend Princeton...it's just such a huge adjustment for me. I have wanted to go to Princeton since forever, and I think that it was just a bit outside of my comfort zone. I have lived in Texas (with 300+ days of sunshine a year) for my entire life and have never even been farther north than North Carolina (haha, what a "northern" state) ever until last week. I think that the weather might have been kind of difficult...not because I can't handle cold, but just because I'm so unused to it being rainy for 3 or more days in a row. I know that's something I'll have to adapt to if I go to Princeton. Also, I consider myself a really generally athletic person...I work out every day, I play different sports, I'm happiest when I'm full of endorphins and exhausted, and I just felt like Duke had that a lot more than Princeton. That being said, considering that I am not interested in a career as a personal trainer, I'm pretty sure athletics should not be the sole deciding factor of Duke versus Princeton.</p>
<p>j07 - there are lots of kids who are athletes at Princeton, and I don't mean the serious ones only. There's a lot of participation in club sports. And many many kids go to Dillon and work out. Apparently, even at 10pm which I don't understand....</p>
<p>That said, go with your gut. If Duke feels more right to you, there is little downside.</p>
<p>j07, glad you chose princeton!</p>
<p>On behalf of the Class of 2010, welcome!</p>