Princeton v. Stanford SCEA 2018

Colleges and Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Note: I'm posting this on both threads.</p>

<p>Right now I'm pretty torn between applying to Princeton or Stanford SCEA in a couple months. I'd like to know what you guys think. </p>

<p>As a quick bio of myself, I am a white male from S.Carolina, and I plan to major in Chemistry, but I am still VERY likely to change my mind about that. I don't pretend to have a great chance at either school, but I do think I have a shot. My ECs and intangibles aren't great (Debate, Cross Country, normal stuff...) but my scores are all perfect (2400 SAT, val, etc...) Here are some of the specific factors I'm looking for in deciding between the two schools.</p>

<p>Social/Religious Scene</p>

<p>I am a Christian from the South, and my faith is very important to me. (It may be important to note that I'm also pretty politically liberal and open-minded, contrary to the Southern Christian stereotype, so that's not an issue for me) I was wondering which school is the most accepting of Christianity and offers the most opportunities for young Christians. My concern w/ P is that their eating clubs give it a pretty strong drinking culture/ Greek life vibe, which might not mix too well with my Christian faith. My concern w/ S is that Cali is definitely not known as the most Christian-friendly region. I'm curious as to which school would be the best fit for me in this regard.</p>

<p>Chances of Getting In</p>

<p>Since I do love both schools, and will apply to both at some point in the admissions process, I'll definitely consider which school would give me the best chance of getting in SCEA. I know S has a lower SCEA (and overall) acceptance rate, while P has higher average test scores and things like that, indicating perhaps that P's applicant pool as a whole is stronger. I also know S tends to reject rather than defer SCEA. Does one of these schools emphasize test scores and grades more than another (since that's my strong point)? Which one would give me the best chance SCEA?</p>

<p>Chem Program & Opportunities</p>

<p>While I am very uncertain of my plans in and after college, it would be helpful to hear if P or S has a particularly better chem program than the other, and I'd like to know if one school would give me significantly more opportunities after college than the other.</p>

<p>TL;DR- Based on these 3 factors, especially the first 2, which school should I apply to SCEA?</p>

2

<p>“My faith is very important to me … I’m also pretty politically liberal and open-minded”</p>

<p>Sounds like Princeton is the perfect place for you in this regard then. The various Christian groups are diverse in size and focus. In general, Princeton is intellectually diverse and the vast majority of students are very open. There are some laid back eating clubs (some of my Christian friends are active members of a sign-in one for example) and you can also go independent and get a nice suite with a kitchen in Spelman or join a coop and take turns cooking with them.</p>

<p>I feel like Princeton and Stanford are both looking for that “spark” in applicants’ extracurricular activities so I can’t answer your question about that but at least in the past two years SCEA admittance for Princeton has been pretty high. It may have just been the fact that it was re-implemented very recently though…</p>

<p>If you’re doing college visits, definitely check out the new Frick chemistry building. Princeton’s been building a lot lately so several departments have been given more space for faculty. We’ve hired some new professors and gotten shiny new equipment to fill up Frick. One of the new professors from Cornell taught my Gen Chem class last semester and he’s apparently doing some brilliant things in quantum chemistry. More Molecular Bio / Psych faculty will come in with the new Neuro/Psych buildings that are coming next year and the integrative genomics institute (interdisciplinary bio / natural sciences) was completed several years ago.</p>

<p>That was a really roundabout answer but I guess I just wanted to say that it’s an exciting time for the natural sciences at Princeton. Keep in mind that the grad school is small so professors will be interacting with undergrad students a lot more than they will be at Stanford.</p>

3

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</p>

<p>Cali? Isn’t that in Colombia? </p>

<p>You are a really smart guy, and so would not, of course, jump to conclusions based on inadequate information. Why do you think that California is not “Christian-friendly”? I live in an upper-middle class area in California, and there are Christian churches all over the place around here. They seem to be doing quite well.</p>

4

<p>Thanks for the advice guys! And as for the California part, those were just stereotypes I’ve heard from relatives and friends there. I just mentioned that to see if it was true, and I’m happy to hear from you that it’s not.</p>

5

<p>The are multiple Christian groups on the Princeton campus. You did not specify your denomination so I cannot provide a link to the specific ministry for you. </p>

<p>Review the campus ministries and you will find a possible home. The southern Baptists from my area have found like minded students. [Princeton</a> University - Religious Life](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/main/campuslife/religious/]Princeton”>Religious Life | Princeton University) </p>

<p>The Princeton Faith and Action group is popular today and has many active student members. [PF&A</a> |](<a href=“Pfanda.com is for sale | HugeDomains”>http://pfanda.com/) </p>

<p>The Christian Union has a chapter in Princeton. [Princeton</a> Home - Christian Union](<a href=“http://involve.christian-union.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HomePrinceton]Princeton”>http://involve.christian-union.org/site/PageServer?pagename=HomePrinceton) </p>

<p>When I attended the Princeton Evangelical Fellowship members held on campus fellowship worship. [Princeton</a> Evangelical Fellowship](<a href=“http://pef.mycpanel.princeton.edu/]Princeton”>http://pef.mycpanel.princeton.edu/) </p>

<p>Religious music groups include the The Princeton University Chapel Choir, The Princeton Georgian Choir, The Princeton University Gospel Ensemble, The Lux Choir, Kindred Spirit, and The Klezmocrats. </p>

<p>Here is an article on religious life at Princeton. [Princeton</a> Alumni Weekly: Keeping the faith](<a href=“Keeping the faith | Page 2 | Princeton Alumni Weekly”>Keeping the faith | Page 2 | Princeton Alumni Weekly) </p>

<p>Explore the course offerings in the Religion Department. Some of the faculty are considered eminent scholars in biblical study. [Home</a> - Princeton University - Department of Religion](<a href=“http://religion.princeton.edu/main/]Home”>http://religion.princeton.edu/main/) Also in town is the Princeton Theological Seminary [Princeton</a> Theological Seminary](<a href=“http://www.ptsem.edu/]Princeton”>http://www.ptsem.edu/) and the Westminster Choir College [Welcome</a> to Westminster Choir College | Westminster Choir College](<a href=“http://www.rider.edu/wcc]Welcome”>Westminster Choir College | Rider University) . The Princeton Theological Seminary is a five minute walk from Forbes College. While different academic schedules can make it difficult Princeton students can take courses at The Princeton Theological Seminary. Seminary students have conducted fellowship groups in the residential colleges.</p>

<p>Princeton has substance free dorms for students that do not want to be near students that drink. Most of the clubs have a “party room” for beer and dancing and a quiet room for cards and discussion. Many students that do not drink have found a happy home at a club. About one-third of students choose not to join a club and remain in a residential college for their meals and social life. Non members can attend many events at the clubs.</p>

<p>Both Princeton and Stanford have excellent chemistry departments. Princeton has recently built a new state of the art chemistry building and is using the new facilities to attract additional faculty. Here are links to articles on the new chemistry building:
[Princeton</a> University - State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research](<a href=“State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research”>State-of-the-art Frick Chemistry Lab, now open, advances new frontier of research)
[Princeton</a> Alumni Weekly: New Frick Chemistry Lab opens, filled with light](<a href=“http://paw.princeton.edu/issues/2010/10/13/pages/3875/index.xml]Princeton”>New Frick Chemistry Lab opens, filled with light | Princeton Alumni Weekly)
[Princeton</a> University - Sculpture in chemistry lab bonds science and art](<a href=“Sculpture in chemistry lab bonds science and art”>Sculpture in chemistry lab bonds science and art)
[Princeton</a> University - Elements of new Frick lab join to create ‘best infrastructure’ for chemistry](<a href=“Elements of new Frick lab join to create 'best infrastructure' for chemistry”>Elements of new Frick lab join to create 'best infrastructure' for chemistry)
[Princeton</a> University - New Chemistry Building reflects its environment](<a href=“http://www.princeton.edu/main/news/archive/S26/70/64C28/]Princeton”>New Chemistry Building reflects its environment) </p>

<p>Princeton has been known as the Southern Ivy because of the large number of southern students that have chosen to study at Princeton. By the 1790’s forty percent of the undergraduates came from the South. Prior to 1860, 15 southern governors were Princeton alumni. Prior to the Civil War 22 Southern senators were Princeton alumni. At least 200 alumni fought for the South and 155 alumni fought for the North. At least seven Confederate brigadier generals were alumni. There are Princeton alumni throughout the south.</p>

<p>I believe that you would find a comfortable home at Princeton. Good Luck!</p>

6

<p>It is true that Northern California, the San Francisco Bay Area at least, is an extremely liberal spot. And not terribly Christian, over all. That said, I’m sure Stanford has a Christian Fellowship program that would compensate.</p>

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<p>I just did a Google search for “churches Stanford area.” It appears there are about 20 churches within one mile of the Stanford campus. Hardly an area that is “not terribly Christian.”</p>

8

<p>I’m talking zeitgeist. As we secular humanists are wont to do. The churches have been here for ages, I don’t think they are a good indicator of the current degree of religiosity in the community.</p>

9

<p>Hey, South Carolina! I’m from South Carolina. PM me?</p>

10

<p>If this helps at all, my Christian faith is important to me too. I got a chance to speak with a Christian student at Princeton a few months ago. She said that she hasn’t had any problems being a Christian at Princeton. She also said that the Christian groups on campus are excellent. I don’t know much about Stanford, but it must have Christian groups as well. The girl I talked to didn’t join a club. She says it is not a big deal at all, and her choice hasn’t harmed her social life.</p>

<p>I hope this helped! PM me!</p>

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<p>Anything specifically about the liberal christian presence?</p>

12

<p>No clue…I assume that there would be a mix of both liberal and conservative Christians on campus. Do you want a more liberal environment? I live pretty close to Princeton, and I can tell you about the Christian community in the general region, but I don’t know much about the school’s Christian community… All I know is that my friend said she liked it.</p>

13

<p>My son is part of PEF and absolutely loves it. Last year he had freshmen’s bible study early in the week, met with his mentor another night, had church service Friday nights, and went into town to a Baptist church with a group of other students on Sunday mornings if he was not travelling for his sports’ team. When he first arrived on campus he was somewhat concerned with the eating club culture, but it has turned out to be a non-issue for him. In fact he is actually considering joining a sign in club junior/senior year as it would be very handy to take meals closer to the e-quad where he is most often in class. PEF also has special events throughout the school year such as retreats that are a lot of fun!</p>

<p>I’ve heard it said that Princeton is the “conservative Ivy”. I’m not sure that is true as much as it is that most students at Princeton are truly open minded and accepting of his faith, as they would be of others. It’s been a really good experience so far!</p>

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<p>An aside. In my day, all the campus Christians married other Princetonians! No kidding.</p>