Hey guys. I’m an international student who got accepted into these to outstanding schools. Unfortunately, I have to face a very difficult choice. Most of the people I know think I’m an idiot because Princeton has much higher reputation than Amherst and that the opportunities it offers far outnumber those of Amherst so there isn’t really anything to choose. However, my attitude towards these matters is always serious and careful.
True, Princeton is better in many ways. However, this school is notorious for its freakishly stressful environment along with Harvard and Yale. And to be honest, I’m not a kind of person who takes excessive stress well. I mean, I used to often freak out and get depressed during the application process and that really prevented me from doing anything right. So initially I was sure that Princeton isn’t a place for me. Even my Princeton interviewer said that studying there is harder than anything I’ve imagined and that many people have to take a year off to calm their nerves. Now that sounded awful.
After I got into Amherst I was almost 100% sure that I’d go there (Ivy results weren’t out yet). The school is awesome. Top-tier institution, intellectual community, close proximity to Boston, etc. Plus the LAC system seems to take care of its students really well, which I find really compelling. I didn’t expect much from Ivies because it’s so hard to get there.
When I found out that I got into Princeton, I initially decided to let it go. But then my friend called me and I explained to her the situation that I described above: stress, doubt that I’d be able to handle it etc. She told me she would totally agree with my decision if I was going to study Engineering, Math, natural sciences and stuff like that. She said that these majors are really hard and that I might not be able to handle the pressure. But the problem is that I’m planning to major in Political Science or International relations, which makes the situation totally different. My friend told me that as a former Stanford IR major, she knows that it’s not that scary to meet all the requirements for this one. Sure, challenges will occur but it’s not that oppressive as others describe. So considering everything that Princeton has to offer me, she advised me to enroll here. As I’m waiting for more advice from those close to me, I decided to ask what YOU guys think about this matter.
Should I just ditch Princeton and choose Amherst (play safe), or should I use the great opportunity and give Princeton a chance, considering the dangers I’ve told you about. Also can you tell me if you know whether it is deadly hard to study IR in a top college? Anything would be helpful. Thanks a lot.
