<p>@swimom: sorry, I know this is the parent thread, but the short answer: upperclassmen. Seriously. This is much easier in departments where there is an actual sense of community amongst the majors, but I think that for just about everyone, word of mouth trumps what little “advising” we have. =/</p>
<p>I agree with tiger14. In my son’s case, I acted as a sort of advisor, as he declared a major that was just about the same as I had had 30 years before. Not to say I did as good a job as I could have. </p>
<p>Don’t worry too much about grade deflation, however. Unless your kid wants to go to law or medical school, or off to Wall Street or consulting, the grade deflation shouldn’t have too much effect.</p>
<p>Now, if you have an athlete, that’s a different matter. Princeton athletes, from what I’ve seen second hand, spend a serious amount of time on their sport. I’d ask the teammates and the coach to give advice.</p>
<p>This reminds me of how we felt about he “advising” our older one got at Harvard. He was helped most by departmental advisors once he settled on a concentration. That big decision – the concentration – was made pretty much on his own in a lot of confusion, and it was probably not the best decision given his interests and strengths. </p>
<p>So Princeton sounds somewhat similar. I am telling my younger one who will be Princeton Class of '16 to do as much research, exploring and thinking as possible over the summer so that her “decision” is as settled as possible by fall. Really study the course catalogs, departmental requirements and, if possible, even take a look at online lectures slides, readings, etc. Then think hard and honestly about what she wants to be doing four years hence – grad school, professional school, wall st, nonprofit . . .</p>
<p>For some kids it’s so linear and easy, for mine not so straightforward.</p>
<p>From the sound of this, I don’t think Princeton’s advising is that atypical among its peer institutions.</p>
<p>Finally, I do think these types of schools assume a high level of self-directedness in the incoming freshmen. While the resources at their disposal will be huge, there may not be a lot of hand-holding and ultra-personal guidance.</p>
<p>My DS is a freshman and has seemed to had a fine advising situation. Met with advisor before school started and was given good advise on 1st semester courses. Not sure if he met with them before choosing spring courses–that may have been laid out at beginning of year. Met with advisor again to plan next year. He’s doing the pre-med route so he’s also met with the pre-med folks about his courses. He originally thought he’s major in chemistry. Then he considered biology. Now he plans to meet with advisors in chemistry, molecular biology and EEB to figure out which way he wants to go. He seems to be able to get meetings as needed so far. Maybe departments vary on this?</p>
<p>Just wanted to say that my D decided to go to another university. It’s not that Princeton wasn’t a great choice. It was. Their parent loan program seemed ideal and easy. However, in the end, their “students graduating with no debt” statement (which she heard many times) was a little bit of a put off for her because it seemed a bit misleading and somewhat disingenious. She would be incurring debt (not much for Princeton, but still enough in her eyes) while two other reputable institutions were quick with their offer, unwavering, and sincere. Also, though not Princeton, they are excellent schools. </p>
<p>For her, it was a very difficult decision. There was literally a rush to the post office. If it had been any other school than Princeton, they would have been easy to eliminate. She easily ruled out Yale, Carnegie Mellon, Duke, etc…but Princeton, she discovered during this process, was her dream school. The intellectual community seemed so alluring. The Princeton Preview was stimulating. Yet, her practical side prevailed and she chose another school–still excellent. She’s hoping that with the money she will save by not going to Princeton now, she will be able to concentrate on her education with a clear concious and, with hard work, she will go to grad school and, who knows, maybe try again. She’s extremely happy with her decision. I have to say, I’m so very happy for and proud of her, as are all of her teachers and family.</p>
<p>Now, I’m also happy for this opportunity for a waitlisted student – yeah to them! Congrats to all of you parents and to your future and present Princetonians. College confidential is really great. I will start this process all over again in a few years.</p>
<p>My S is also a freshman at Princeton and we have few complaints about advising. He is a BSE student and he found the engineering advisors accessible and helpful. The biggest problem for engineering at Princeton is they have to declare their major at the end of freshman year and he did not know which engineering dept to choose. To help in that decision, he took a pass/fail course called principles of engineering where they sampled a bit from each dept and each dept also held open houses to talk to students. This level of information and involvement ended up being crucial; based on all that he chose mechanical engineering. Also, the handbook online for each dept really laid out which courses were essential for sophomore year which also made it easier when it came time to choose classes for next year. I don’t know how advising is handled for the AB students but it was pretty hands on for the BSE students. Don’t know if it will continue to be going forward when it gets trickier in choosing courses since there are several different directions to take in mechanical but for now it has been helpful.</p>
<p>I think it’s different for the BSEs. Those guys have to take so many classes:).</p>
<p>razzyreb,</p>
<p>My son decided not to attend Princeton, either, but he was offered an amazing financial aid package there. He actually chose a more expensive school (by about 3K a year). Bummer! But he feels it was the right decision.</p>
<p>Princeton’s a fantastic school and you parents are in a special league all your own! :-)</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. As I ask around, advising seems poor at many colleges. With the cost of college, the blood, sweat & tears our kids put into it, & the fact that It’s Their Future, their whole lives depend on what they decide when they’re in college, it seems in many cases, advising should be much better.</p>
<p>The professor who’s assigned to be your advisor freshman year is often not very helpful, but there are so many other people who you can talk to and get advice from. Go to your res college’s advising mall every semester (it has upperclassmen from every major who you can talk to). Go to major choices events from departments you are interested in. Get to know upperclassmen and professors in your field(s) of interest. Talk to the director of studies in your res college. In terms of picking classes freshman fall, talking to upperclassman at all the orientation events is super helpful, as they’re often a lot more knowledgeable about this sort of thing than professors are.</p>
<p>I’m helping my daughter on the official freshman Move-In Day on next Saturday (9/7). Besides the Opening Exercises and the Pre-rade on Sunday, are there any other activities or recommendations for a parent to watch or do that weekend?</p>
<p>I don’t remember attending opening exercises - aren’t they held in the chapel for students only? There should be info on the U website - in the past, parents were invited to master’s receptions at the residential colleges and that was about it. Pretty low key. A lot of parents don’t stay for Sunday because that event is mid afternoon. Doesn’t mean you can’t use your time exploring the campus and town on your own. Did your child attend one of the orientation programs? If so, they might have some planned events with their group, like meals. </p>
<p>Congratulations and enjoy this time. As everyone will tell you, it flies by.</p>
<p>And keep us posted</p>
<p>When our son came last year he was part of the international students’ group so we did not get to be on campus during the regular move in weekend (he was there over a week earlier). We would have loved the chance to watch the pre-rade and opening exercises - I hope you enjoy it and post how it went! </p>
<p>I checked the Princeton Tigers page and it appears that most sporting events are off campus that weekend except for a couple field hockey games. The arts public events calendar lists a few options as well [Princeton</a> University – Public Events Calendar](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/events/]Princeton”>Events | Princeton University)</p>
<p>We will be on campus moving our sophomore son into his residence so we’ll also be looking for a few things to do while we are there. I can say that if the weather is nice, the grounds are beautiful for a stroll and the buildings (particularly the chapel, if open) are beautiful and make for some excellent pictures to add to the family scrapbook! The graduate college which overlooks the golf course, the rowing house and the Firestone library (if you are allowed in) are breathtaking.</p>
<p>Parents do not attend opening exercises. They are in the chapel and it’s students-only. Also, I am sad to report that Firestone is under construction and so you miss the breathtaking-ness of the outside. It’s still pretty nice inside, though.</p>
<p>Yes 93tiger 16 - you are correct that parents do not attend opening exercises. I was referring to the live simulcast that parents can watch live from elsewhere on campus but I should have clarified this.</p>
<p>Congrats, Slushy, om your Princeton student. We dropped our daughter off for OA last year at 11am…moved her in after the long line moved thru the skating rink…had a brief reception in the college dining hall wherein we met the college administrators and resident advisors…then drove the 4h home. We returned for the Parent’s weekend in October which offered an opportunity to attend various seminars, college meals, and tour the Physics lab (along with a Freshman parent Sunday brunch, complete with choc chip scones…apparently, a college treat). . On other trips we have toured the campus slowly and stumbled in on the organist practicing in the beautiful campus church and a legal debate sponsored by the James Madison Society. it is a lovely place to amble but you won’t see much of your child; the kids are busy! Our daughter loved every minute. Relax and have fun moving in!</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your input. Yes, I was referring to watching the simulcast of the Opening Exercises and then watching the Pre-rade. I’ll just enjoy the scenery and then some. For those interested, I found out that folks can watch selective live events (including the Opening Exercises) at Princeton: [Princeton</a> University: WebMedia](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/WebMedia/]Princeton”>Princeton University Media Central).</p>
Hello, this is my first post and I am trying to resurrect this thread so parents of the class of 2019 can use it. Our son (an international from far away) will be starting at Princeton on September and I am keen to contact with other parents.
My daughter is class of 2017
@Longdistancemum - our son is an international, class of 2016. Feel free to PM me if there is anything specific I can help with!