<p>Sure, I can give you a description...I am in an eating club. There are 10 eating clubs, and between 75% and 80% of juniors and seniors are in one. 5 of the 10 are "exclusive," meaning that they require a selection process known as "bicker." The other 5 are non-exlusive and are known as sign-in clubs, meaning that anyone can choose to join them and slots are allotted based on a lottery---(if you want to be in a particular sign-in club, there is usually not a problem).</p>
<p>Bicker clubs require a 3 Day bicker process in February of one's sophomore year, which can be likened to a fraternity "rush." I am in a bicker club, and the one I am in involves three days of meeting members, playing informal games, etc. Undoubtedly, it is a stressful time as any selection process is.......but I had a really good time. At the end of the three day period, members select sophomores via a vote. Each bicker club has its own system of selection (one does interviews, others vary on the game thing).</p>
<p>Bicker is a stressful tiem, but most have positive experiences and eventually wind up in a club that they like. Clubs usually accept 50-60% of those who bicker and they are all co-ed, so they make for a really good social atmosphere. Agreed, there are things about the eating clubs that I don't like and that others don't like, but no college has a perfect social life. </p>
<p>If you have any questions about the eating clubs......or consider them a reason you don't want to attend, send them my way. When I chose princeton, one of the things I was most wary about was the eating club system, and I can help you separate myth from fact.</p>
<p>There are about 10 frats (small, each has between 30 and 40 members) and 3 sororities (larger, each has maybe 100-120 members). As a result, maybe slightly more than 15% ofthe campus is involved in Greek life and it does not dominate the social scene. However, some frats and sororities tend to have large presences at certain eating clubs so if you go to a particular club, Greek life seems to larger than it is. Additionally, it is fair to say that the average frat/srat member goes out more than the average person, so if you go party at the eating clubs, you may see many Greek members/athletes. </p>
<p>I am in a frat and it is something I really enjoy and it is an important part of my social life. However, of my close group of friends, only 2 are in my fraternity, and by no means does it control my social life...we do lots of sober events as well, so it's a good group of friends to have.</p>
<p>As far as AC goes, some buliding have it, some don't...it's only really desirable for the first two weeks of school and the last two weeks, so it's not that big a deal. All dorms have heating.</p>
<p>Now that you've broached the eating club topic, I'll toss in a few more questions.</p>
<p>I know only some of the clubs are bicker...but do you feel that it contributes a sense of elitism to the social scene? I've gathered that Princeton kids tend to be very witty and more socially apt than other Ivies, but sometimes (and I dont mean to generalize or stereotype or what have you, I would just genuinely like to hear a current student's thoughts) overly pretentious...what do you think?</p>
<p>...thanks for taking the time to give such thorough answers. it really does help us giddy seniors out.</p>
<p>I can't totally speak to the eating clubs, since I'm only a frosh, though I will say, that I've found the social environment very welcoming. I've met a ton of amazing people at Pton, and while I would say that a few fit the pton stereotype, by no means do all. As far as I can tell, people are generally bright, fun, funny, witty, and all around great. Obviously that doesn't go for everyone, but I've certainly met more people I like than dislike.</p>
<p>I completely agree with jssballet that the majority of people I've met, even freshmen year, are likeable, personable, and sincere. I'll also say that, sure, I've met several pricks. I would expect any elite institution to have its share of pricks -- some people just like to feel like they are privileged.</p>
<p>With respect to eating clubs, certain members of certain clubs probably feel that they are "elite," but I feel like this holds true for any university that has a fraternity/sorority scene (or any social scene with selectivity). In all honesty, I feel that at times, the eating club scene can be divisive, in terms of changing who you see on a regular basis, etc. However, the campus is small enough that there is a great deal of interaction between people of different eating clubs and among those who are not in eating clubs. Personally, I feel the eating club scene's positives greatly outweigh its negatives and that though it seems like an unnatural social framework, the bulk of people involved in it will tell you that overall they've had positive experiences.</p>
<p>I think Princeton is a place where you need to be comfortable with having your social life almost entirely on campus---there is little to do off campus. I actually have made use of its proximity to NYC many times, so that provides a nice outlet, but don't expect hoards of people to hop on the train and hit up NYC on a given night. The eating clubs are the predominant social scene, and that works well for the vast majority of students, but there are certainly some who don't like it.</p>