<p>I'm not saying this is true, but one of the teachers at my school whose friend is a pton professor said that "while yes, the students at princeton are smart, they aren't really intellectuals. They perform well on tests, but they don't really seem to embrace the true value of learning."</p>
<p>I'm not saying this is right or wrong. It just seems like something that belongs on this thread.</p>
<p>
[quote]
If you want to go to Yale, you should. It's an amazing school. Different people can be comfortable in different places. I don't get why you feel you ought to make yourself go to Princeton if you like Yale.
[/quote]
As an '09 Yalie, I thought I should add a more intellectual perspective to this discussion. ;)</p>
<p>Once you get to Yale, Princeton, and Harvard, the sense of academic greatness is all around you - no matter which one you choose. This includes the aura projected by the star professors, the general feel of the campus, and the manner in which your classmates express themselves. As others have pointed out, there is a difference in expression at these schools. I got no impression that Yalies were more intellectual than Princetonians, although I did feel that Yalies were slightly more down-to-earth. (Not by much, though - I'll admit that.) I agree with aparent5 and A.S.A.P. - if Yale's atmosphere (and 'manner of expression,' if you will) appealed more to you, it is likely that you'll be happier there. In that case, I'll see you on campus in the fall. :)</p>
<p>You Princetonians can now resume your feigned intellectualism - we all know it's a sham. :p</p>
<p>princeton yale and harvard are three flavors of the same genre.</p>
<p>the flavor is whats being argued.</p>
<p>but how is it that princeton is the one with the incredible school of political science, yet it is yale has the most politically charged campus? that was the distinct flair of yale that i got when i visited: politics.</p>
<p>princeton, being relatively isolated, isnt as fast-paced as the more urban schools. and about drinking, you will find plenty of alcohol at any college (except maybe the military academies...and brigham young).</p>
<p>To the poster who remarked on Yale's drinking, I suppose you didn't notice any drinking going on at Ptons "eating" clubs. Nope.</p>
<p>If the op is a girl, I think it's fair to say you will be somewhat amazed at the amount of drinking that goes on with the males at both of these fine institutions.</p>
<p>And I don't mean that the women abstain. It's a matter of degree.</p>
<p>theres nothing wrong with partying...on the side.</p>
<p>That's what Penn's for ;)</p>
<p>looking forward to hitting you up for those penn parties! :p</p>
<p>I'm really happy that you guys aren't in the "which school is better" argument and are just sticking to your impressions.</p>
<p>Although it seems that you already seem to know this, I would just like to reiterate the fact that you have 3 of the greatest institutions in the world literally wanting you more than 90% of the Earth's other brightest students. You can't go wrong with any decisions and just follow your heart. Maybe you have the resources to be able to contact alumni from both schools and gather more impressions, maybe you don't. Just close your eyes; which school comes to mind before the conflict of which to attend appears? Which school do you see in your dreams first? Which "flavor" do you feel could help you accel and achieve your goals? Just follow your gut; intuition usually is never wrong.</p>
<p>P.S. Can someone here send me your ECs or whatever, cause I would really want to be in lki's position in 4 years:)</p>
<p>Yale is very good for political science too. Perhaps Princeton seems less politically charged because the opinions are divided. pton is more balanced bc there is more conservative representation, whereas if you only have one side, well...the political scene seems bigger</p>
<p>I can only tell you that my single most intense intellectual experience ever was sitting in my dorm room in Brown, studying for the Literary Criticism exam. Ever, Ever, Ever. 27 years later, working with some of the brightest people in software. Still holds true. As my D said during this latest April hosting - "Mom, this makes my brain feel good." </p>
<p>Brown, BTW, is a Princeton dorm if that wasn't clear...</p>
<p>Hahaha, I was like, "ALUMOTHER has betrayed us!" Good call, though.</p>
<p>Brown Hall, Brown Hall, Brown Hall. Tigers do not betray eachother, even us arty edgy hippie intellectual ones:)</p>
<p>I'm not being a crank or anything when I say this, but your "princeton students NOT intellectually up there" looks like a pretty firm statement to me that's meant to be more inflammatory than a question. I have a feeling that no matter what we say, that will still be your gut feeling. Guts are big feelings, and choosing between princeton yale and stanford come down to the tiniest of distinctions. Go where you'll be happy, and if that's Yale? Awesome stuff - Yale is beautiful and wonderful in every way.</p>
<p>just, Princeton is better.</p>
<p>no, joking -- don't be afraid to let it come down to the feel you're personally getting. I don't agree with what you think, but it's you who's leaning towards Yale now, not me. Go for it if you feel like you belong there. Good luck!</p>
<p>Agree that the OP belongs in New Haven. Just for the record, for anyone who may find this thread in a search in the future, take a look at today's Prince for a sense of what's going on intellectually and otherwise on campus. It's a good issue to look at, because this is the one leading up to Princeton's biggest social event of the year, Houseparties (the three-day extravaganza with a formal dinner dance, a semiformal one, brunches, and lawnparties outdoors with rock bands).
<a href="http://www.princetonian.com%5B/url%5D">www.princetonian.com</a>. You will see:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>an article about a coalition of students protesting Senator Frist's anti-filibustering by filibustering round-the-clock at the Frist student center</p></li>
<li><p>several impassioned letters and columns, pro and con, about the proposed appointment of a pro-Palestinian history professor who is currently at Columbia</p></li>
<li><p>an interview with a new alumna who published her senior thesis as a novel (Ruby Tuesday, HarperCollins)</p></li>
<li><p>a review of a second novel by a well-known young alumnus whose first one, also his senior thesis, was a NY Times bestseller, as well as an interview with him</p></li>
<li><p>an article about a controversy over a slogan used by an international student organization and considered offensive to Latino students</p></li>
<li><p>an article describing a senior's thesis in visual art</p></li>
<li><p>a humorous piece in which the writer unsuccessfully asks professors who are Princeton alums to offer their insights re the "meaning" of Houseparties </p></li>
</ol>
<p>You will also see:</p>
<ol>
<li><p>a Houseparties survival guide</p></li>
<li><p>"You are cordially invited," listing the bands and entertainment at the various eating clubs for Houseparties</p></li>
<li><p>articles on beer and cocktails</p></li>
<li><p>articles on vacations, movies, and a California band that will play on campus today</p></li>
</ol>
<p>Today's Prince gives you a flavor for the balance I see at Princeton. Students are very engaged intellectually, in all sorts of ways. They also know how to have fun, and they enjoy their evolving traditions.</p>
<p>neat post, aparent!</p>
<p>I<em>wanna</em>be-Brown,
In my view, the "non-intellectual" reference you heard comes off as a little third-hand, & a bit much of a generalization. My D who recently returned from April Hosting experienced P'ton as being very much an intellectual place, with like-minded students as intellectual as herself. </p>
<p>lki,
All the comments from aparent5, from A.S.A.P., & from the various students posting here also resonate with my D as to the different atmospheres between P and Y (meaning campus feel, not intell'l vs. non-intell'l): Y more rah-rah (about itself) and "out-there" and high-energy, P more understated & low-key. Style, not substance. Philntex said it best: cross-acceptances to several Ivies for hundreds of students should put to rest any "lower" standard of intellectualism of one vs. the other. My D met several of these cross-acceptees on her trip. (She is one, too.) My D prefers low energy to high energy, and Contained vs. "Zany." Some people thrive on "zany" as an aspect of academic inspiration & motivation; other students are more positively influenced by forces of equilibrium.</p>
<p>And I like that you're having a conversation with others and with yourself about choices. Students tend to perform best within the atmosphere that appeals most. Just remember that a lot of factors go into that atmosphere, not all of them being about "reputation," & not all being about image. Personality types & style preferences do figure in, so you might want to take to heart the observations of the Y & P parents on this thread (ASAP & aparent), & determine where you fit in. </p>
<p>(Y,P,S: all on a par intellectually; Y and S significantly influenced by the presence of prominent & renown grad schools; again, some students particularly need & want the latter -- even merely "being around" the graduate presence while an undergrad inspires & drives them. However, I do notice that many of the current Yale grad students in the History dep't received their undergrad degrees at P'ton. Just something to consider.)</p>
<p>Different atmospheres, not superior or inferior, in my view.</p>
<p>In all honesty, I wouldn't (and didn't) make my pick of University based on what student body seems more "intellectual." When you're looking at Princeton and Yale, you're splitting hairs--face it, they're both great schools. In my opinion, I think it's rather arrogant to be making a decision based on that.</p>
<p>Pick the spot that's right for you, plain and simple. If you like the feel of the Yale student body, then go for it. Myself, I would rather be around a more relaxed, casual crowd, where you know everybody is smart, but they don't necessarily act like they are, or make it known that they are.</p>
<p>Considering the extent to which HYP share applicants, there really isnt a significant difference in the student bodies at any of those three.</p>
<p>
[quote]
P.S. Can someone here send me your ECs or whatever, cause I would really want to be in lki's position in 4 years
[/quote]
Why? Trying to emulate a successful applicant here won't get you into Princeton - there's no formula, and Princeton doesn't want to admit the same type of person year after year.</p>
<p>Sorry that was directed at you (I know you aren't the only person asking) - I just find it a little annoying, and it is my rant for the day... :)</p>