<p>Freshman and writing seminars count as courses. Writing seminar is actually one of the more demanding classes I took as a frosh. It’s very time consuming.</p>
<p>Repeat: Writing seminar is very time consuming. </p>
<p>Taking it right now.</p>
<p>What kind of research or internship opportunities are there for the students (I’m concerned about ones dealing with science&engineering)? How difficult is it get them? For example, do a lot of freshman do research/internships after their first year?
Thanks!</p>
<p>They actually just posted about that on the admitted students’ website today.</p>
<p><a href=“https://blogs.princeton.edu/admitted/2009/04/research-opportunities-for-fre.php[/url]”>https://blogs.princeton.edu/admitted/2009/04/research-opportunities-for-fre.php</a></p>
<p>"Dear Students,</p>
<p>Since I last posted an entry I have received quite a few inquiries about starting research early. It is wonderful to see how many of you are eager to get in the laboratory! I have taken an excerpt from the Department of Molecular Biology’s webpage for undergraduates where we explain the research opportunities for starting students:</p>
<p>During the freshmen and sophomore years, students interested in the natural sciences enroll in courses that will provide the academic foundations to understand the complex issues being addressed in the research laboratories at Princeton. Prior to the junior year, there is no formal mechanism for placing students in laboratories; rather it is left to the initiative of the interested student. Freshmen and sophomores eager to start working in a laboratory have several avenues open to them. These opportunities include: volunteering in a laboratory, exercising a work-study option, applying to the summer undergraduate research program, or engaging the research for credit option after declaring as an early concentrator.</p>
<p>I strongly encourage those of you with a passion for research to get started early. It is a tremendous opportunity that not many undergraduates get to experience. Please feel free to contact me at any time.</p>
<p>Warmest wishes,</p>
<p>Alison"</p>
<p>Science and engineering research opportunities on campus are quite easy to get. I got one freshman year easily by emailing and talking to professors whose research I was interested in. I also got several REU offers last summer and accepted one of them, and am also doing a NSF funded research project this summer.
From my friends in the sciences, research during the summer is very, very common. During the school year, it’s a little less so because of the time commitment, but is definitely still easy to get.</p>
<p>any comments on languages at Princeton?
well taught in general? some better than others? how long does it take to get fluent from beginner level in russian or chinese, say? is it better stick with a language one kinda knows and get reaally proficient, or try something new?</p>
<p>Languages at Princeton are pretty difficult, especially Chinese and Arabic (maybe Japanese too? I haven’t heard much about it.)</p>
<p>I started taking beginning Arabic here, and there’s around 2 hours of work a night, sometimes more if you don’t understand a particular grammar point well or are behind on the vocabulary (which happens so easily, unfortunately).</p>
<p>I don’t know about the quality of the other languages, but Arabic is taught very well (with the exception of one professor that I find subpar). I’ve heard excellent things about the Chinese department as well. Not sure about the others.</p>
<p>As far as what’s better, it really depends on what your goal for that language is. If you’d like to ever use it in a professional setting, study abroad somewhere, live in a different country, you’ll probably want to become very proficient in at least one other language. If you just want to dabble in languages, or are bored with the language you’re studying then start a new one. </p>
<p>Just remember that if you place into a higher level language class with AP credit, SAT Subject Test credit, or the language placement test, you have to continue in that language in order to get the finish your language requirement earlier. For example, I had a friend who placed into 3th semester Spanish, but she was tired of Spanish and decided to take French. Had she stuck with Spanish, she would only NEED to take a language for two semesters, but now that she changed languages, she’ll be required to take 4 semesters of French.</p>
<p>However, if you completely fulfill your requirement, you don’t need to worry about committing to a new language for two years. You should remember, though, that in beginning languages, you must complete the second semester in order to get any credit for the first. </p>
<p>So if you pick a new language, you’re basically committing to it for a year. If you drop it after one semester, you won’t receive any credit for the work you did in that first semester, and you’ll have to take an extra class somewhere to make it up.</p>
<p>The teachers for Japanese are FANTASTIC. I think the majority of people in Japanese classes enjoy it very much. I’ve taken JPN 101 and am in JPN 102 this semester. JPN 101 is quite easy, but JPN 102 begins to get slightly more difficult and complex. You’ll have a 50 min class everyday, which I actually liked because it was my favorite class. They really focus a lot on you actually learning the language rather than making it all about your grades. The homework is not too hard, usually like ~30min - 1 hr a day. If you have the slightest interest in Japanese, or you just don’t know which language to learn and don’t mind doing Japanese, I highly recommend the class. </p>
<p>I believe the 3rd year and higher Japanese students are near-fluent, especially the ones who did the PII (Princeton in Ishikawa) summer program, where you learn 2nd/3rd year Japanese in 8 weeks in Japan.</p>
<p>how exactly do the deflation policies work?</p>
<p>does it really hurt/help students in terms of overall comprehension of subject matter and grad school placement?</p>
<p>How is the pre-med track (life sciences), as compared to other Ivies?</p>
<p>A silly question perhaps, but one I would like to know: How do people respond when you tell them you attend Princeton? I guess, what’s dropping the “P-Bomb” like?</p>
<p>Adults usually react pretty well. They’re usually impressed.</p>
<p>Younger people, people our age, teenagers… they’re a mixed bag. A lot of impressed people, but especially if you’ve just met them, they may associate you with an elitist/preppy/nerdy stereotype.</p>
<p>I’m checking out the Welcome 2013 website for my son and there is mention of a “microfridge”. I guess this is a microwave and refrigerator combo? Is this the only way people are allowed to have microwaves in their dorm? Also, any recommendations for freshman meal plans?</p>
<p>Well my friend says she’s done the math, and that if you plan on staying on campus for even just one of the breaks, you’re better off with Unlimited. I haven’t checked out the math, but you can check for yourself.</p>
<p>@TheSparrow: Yes, that is the only way you are allowed to have a microwave in your room. However, you can just install a microwave under your bed and fire inspection will never notice it. Also, most dorms have a communal microwave somewhere. </p>
<p>Personally, I’d get the block 235 (even though I’m on unlimited). Let your son try the food from the convenience stores or at the restaurants in town during breaks.</p>
<p>Wondering about my chances…
I attend a Catholic high school and I scored a 32 on my ACT and 1480 on my SAT. I’m Mu Alpha Theta President, a member of the Varsity Tennis team, and an actor through the drama club. I also co-founded a charity with my sisters.
I’m a girl interested in electrical engineering, which I’ve discovered is generally uncommon, but the problem is that I have little to no actual experience with engineering (I don’t take apart appliances at home, and I don’t compete in robotics competitions). </p>
<p>For all of you current students, what do you think my chances are? And what area of my life should I focus on most when applying?</p>
<p>Thank you anyone for any help :)</p>
<p>how does the mailing system work? where would i go to get my mail and how do i know things like large packages are secure?</p>
<p>@BananaSandwich</p>
<p>All student mailboxes are in Frist Campus Center (think mini-lockers). Large packages get sent to the Parcel Room, which is also in Frist. When they finish processing your package, they send you an email telling you to come pick it up slash sign for it.</p>
<p>What are the least and most popular majors in Princeton. Is bio/bioengineering common. My dad does research for Princeton would there be a way I could fit this info into app.</p>
<p>who do i contact if i want to change my contact information (like phone number, email address) in the school’s database?</p>