<p>It’s incredibly difficult to get into either one. This question comes up a lot on CC. Realistically, I would say it is “easier” (if you can use the easy word) to get into the one you are most passionate about. If you have all the prerequisites, switching between the two (AB and BSE) is very easy so they don’t admit you strongly based on your preference. And there is a significant amount of switching from what I understand from my freshman son. </p>
<p>Apply for what you love. Forget about the odds…the difference is fractional.</p>
<p>If my friends belong to a eating club(exclusive), can I eat meals withthem if I am not a member?</p>
<p>Yes. There is a program called “Meal Exchange” between the clubs and the residential colleges that allows you to eat with your friend at their eating club, and then have your friend eat at the residential college with you. There may be some timeframe in which things have to occur, but the general idea is you both have to eat the same number of times in both places (unless either of you want to use some of your guest meals).</p>
<p>More info on meal exchanging—I don’t think there’s any limit to the number of exchanges you can do, but they all have to be completed in the same month and be the same type of meal (like lunch for a lunch, dinner for a dinner, etc). I’ve meal exchanged with my friends in other clubs and it’s definitely a great/easy program that I think is underutilized.</p>
<p>How long is the senior thesis usually?</p>
<p>@cantiger: Thanks. </p>
<p>I plan to go into medicine and I know Princeton doesn’t have an official pre med program. So the two popular undergraduate majors are biomedical engineering offered by the school of engineering or Chemistry offered by school of Arts and Sciences. Right now I have no clue as to which one I would eventually pick but I am definite about going into medicine. That being the case, should I apply to school of arts and sciences or school of engineering?</p>
<p>You can go into medicine from either science (AB) or engineering (BSE) as long as you have the prereq’s (bio and orgo I believe). If you choose engineering you will need all the first year prereq’s for engineering (MAT 103/104, CHM 201 or 207, PHY 103/104, COS 126, and writing sem). You will need 4 courses first semester and 5 second semester. I believe the AB track is 4 courses each semester and I am not sure what the prereq’s are as my son is in engineering. </p>
<p>You can switch back and forth between them once accepted so it really depends on what you love. Because of this flexibility it’s not significantly easier to get into one than the other. If Princeton locked you into one or the other then it might be easier to get into one of them - but they don’t. They know people will switch - and they do! A lot. Bottom line - if you love biology then apply AB. If you love engineering apply BSE. </p>
<p>My only thought is that if you want more flexibility in course selection you should look at AB. First year in engineering you essentially can choose 2 electives for the entire year unless you place out of prereq’s (not always advisable). There are also engineering tracks that are non ABET accredited that require that you take less courses than the ABET tracks.</p>
<p>Once more thing - if you choose the AB track you need to attain a minimum level of proficiency in a second language which is not required of the BSE track. This can be completed while at Princeton.</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure you’ll also need some sort of physics as a premed, so the engineering requirements will help you out there. Most of the premeds I know are molbio majors (AB), though I’m not sure why.</p>
<p>I actually know a bunch of AB premeds who aren’t doing MOL or EEB. Recent med school admission trends actually suggest that doing a bio major doesn’t increase your chance of admission. A number of premed students are Classics majors, and some even do Woody Woo</p>
<p>My roommate majored in Woody Woo and then went to Harvard med school. She is now a leading cardiologist.</p>
<p>How many “free” weekends do students typically have in a given semester? I know that the admissions websites talks about NYC being only an hour away, but I really do want to get involved in campus organizations and perform well in my studies.</p>
<p>I’m hoping to visit NYC or even just go shopping at GSP mall (my aunt lives in Paramus) for more moderately priced, no-sales-tax-cuz-it’s-Jersey maybe like once every two months? I’ve found it’s a great way for me to relieve stress. However, I will point out that I’m super appreciative of the safety and quiet town atmosphere, taking walks and biking sounds superb to me.</p>
<p>I guess to rephrase the question (although I would still like it answered), how spontaneous can you be in your schedule without jeopardizing academic and extracurricular commitments?</p>
<p>Thanks in advance!</p>
<p>All weekends are free. How you use your time and juggle any commitments you choose to take on is completely up to you.</p>
<p>@Skylar789 - it totally depends on your major. and topic. my guess is avgt for a BA candidate is about 100 pg +/-</p>
<p>As a proud princeton alum, I congratulate the class of 2017.</p>
<p>@thehumanist: You will almost certainly be “free” on weekends; the rest depends on time management. 
But in my experience taking a daytrip to NYC once every 2-4 weeks is totally reasonable – I personally probably make it to NYC once a month. And especially freshman year, do take advantage of the free trips! (Broadway, etc.) They’re super fun.</p>
<p>@Skylar789 </p>
<p>You couldn’t have picked a better time to ask about the senior thesis. Most are due within the next three or four weeks. The length really depends on your department, but also if you are doing anything besides the paper itself (performance, directing a show, a project). For Politics it has to be between 90 and 125 pages. For Econ they say between 60 and 80 pages. Philosophy and Psych are around 40 pages, although Psych is also likely to include some kind of study as well. English is approx 80 pages. Comp Lit between 50 and 80 pages. </p>
<p>Not totally sure for engineering departments though. Depends on if you’re doing a project I think.</p>
<p>TBH I think independent work (Junior paper(s) and Senior Thesis) is hands down the best thing academically about Princeton. For the most part, you get to pick whatever topic you’d like within your department, and there are so many resources and funds available to do original research, travel, conduct surveys, etc.</p>
<p>Thank you for the response! :)</p>
<p>Also, I’ve read on news articles about a certain level of apathy and conformist tendencies at Princeton. Could somebody maybe compare their experience at Princeton to their hometown or something? What is the level of self-segregation that takes place?</p>
<p>Hi everyone! I was just admitted to the class of 2017, and I am in the process of deciding where to go, so I had some questions about life at the school in general (the academics are unquestionably incredible).
What do students do during the weekend? I know there’s no standard answer, but still, what are the most popular activities on campus? Or do many leave and go to Philly or NYC?
Also, how helpful is the career center to help find internships/jobs?
Do the residential colleges have particular aspects that differentiate them from the other ones, or are they all very similar?</p>
<p>How’a the gay scene at Princeton?</p>