Princeton from a Parent's Perspective

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
21

<p>So far, I'd have to say the Son #1 had a much better experience at Notre Dame then #2 has had so far at Princeton. Part of that is personality and part is the place. ND did a much better job of welcoming the kids. At ND, the kids "drink the Koolaid" the first week. It seems that the kids drink it much later at Pton.</p>

<p>The academic calender s**ks - very stressful Christmas break. This will change since Princeton seems to ape Harvard.</p>

<p>I am withholding judgement on Pton for now. By this time of my first son's freshman year, I felt like part of the Notre Dame family and only have good things to say about the school (and I went to Michigan, for heaven's sake.) Princeton has a lot of problems as well as a lot of positives, but so far the negatives outweigh the positives</p>

22

<p>As a parent, my impression is that the academic calendar is very forgiving at Princeton. I think that the schedule is more open to be accused of being cushy than rigorous.
Of course, the schedule itself is unimportant. How students take advantage of what is available is the point. I can't imagine that the opportunities could be better at any other place.
Similarly, the grade deflation policy is not important. Paying attention to the academic calendar and grading policies have absolutely nothing to do with the education, IMO. Worried about your kid being on the honor role? Get over it. Welcome to the adult world.<br>
Fair or unfair, more will be assumed of your Princeton student than your Notre Dame student, no matter their accomplishments, short of being a Rhodes or a Marshall Scholar. More will be assumed of my Princeton daughter than my Dartmouth son, equally smart and creative as they may be. The way it will be.
They are both blessed to this state school graduate, and to most of the rest of the world.
(For what it is worth, Harvard and Princeton have had roughly the same schedule for decades. I don't know of any pressure to alter this. Why change? Not bad for students and even easier for faculty.).</p>

23

<p>Grade deflation does bite you when you least expect it. I just found out today I got a B+ for a 93% in a science class.</p>

24

<p>My sophomore D is happy at Princeton, engaged in her courses and extra-curriculars. Next semester only one of her courses will have more than 25 students. She's found professors accessible and interested in her educational progress; classmates and friends bright, motivated, and supportive; and graduate students who lead precepts intelligent and responsive. Grade-deflation has not been an issue for her.</p>

<p>Diversity exists in race, ethnicity, economic background, religion, sexual orientation, political persuasion, and national origin. </p>

<p>The Princeton campus is beautiful, walkable, and safe. There is always something to do on weekends: a movie, lecture, student performance, or theater event at the McCarter. New York City and Philadelphia are easily reached: students go on residential college- or course- sponsored trips to see Broadway shows, off-Broadway shows, museum and gallery exhibits, music performances, etc. The eating clubs are there if you want them, but they're not the only game in town for eating, socializing, or entertainment. </p>

<p>Many students are involved in one of the several arts-related activities in theater, dance, or music. Others are involved in community service projects in Trenton and other nearby towns. Or they write for the newspaper or one of the other publications. Or they belong to a group based on an affinity or specific interest that advocates for a cause, sponsors special meals or bazaars, knits hats to give to shelters, organizes a farmers market on campus, or takes a ski trip or runs together. </p>

<p>My D is glad she chose Princeton, even though she had other excellent, equally highly-regarded options that would have put her in a social/cultural/geographic milieu more familiar to her.</p>

25

<p>Sorry crackberry...an often told tale of Princeton grade deflation at its worst. My D. was 5 or 6 percentage points over the class median in a junior science class (one of the intimate ones over 100 students) and got a B+ too. Unfortunately, grade deflation is not harmless. It discourages prospective scientists. Further, Princeton's reputation only carries so far. For example, I believe the average Princeton med school accepted student is a 3.4 GPA versus 3.6 national average. Yes, Princeton gets a little advantage over 'middle quintile SAT' colleges but not as much as you think given that the average kid at Princeton is top 1 or 2% SAT score. I wish other graduate and professional school data were available as I think Princeton's grade deflation actually hurts society by not getting bright kids into top programs. Contrary to Danas, this isn't a case of just growing up. The general population respects Pton but I don't know that the professional and graduation schools do as much as one might think. Med school (not that is more important than any other program) only gives it a slight advantage, less than the difference between an A minus and B plus.</p>