Princeton v. Yale for a laid-back conversationalist who idolizes Tina Fey

Colleges & Universities A-Z Princeton University
1

<p>Hi all! I've been accepted to Princeton and Yale but I am pretty evenly split between the two. Here are my thoughts:</p>

<p>-I live in the suburbs of Philadelphia, and am somewhat of a homebody, so the proximity of Princeton is pleasing, and the distance to Yale is a little scary, esp given that I am basically on a full ride and can't afford huge amounts of travel expenses if I want to go home more often. The distance is a pretty large factor for me, but it can be overcome if I am truly going to be happier/more fulfilled at Yale. (Which is what I'm trying to determine here! )</p>

<p>-I love Directed Studies, but on the other hand I'm not so much of a survey person; I take a while to digest things and I like going in depth. I do really enjoy just hearing other people expound on their thoughts, so that's something I want.</p>

<p>-I'm a writer (I never used to say that, but this year I've been blessed with enough recognition that I can overcome my self doubt and admit that it's something I would love to do for a living in later life) and I love Princeton's writing program (faculty, structure, etc). However, Yale has a nice writing program as well. Hmmm. I can get a certificate in creative writing from Princeton. Jonathan Safran Foer wrote "Everything is Illuminated" for his senior thesis at Princeton Not that I am at all comparing myself to the likes of Foer.</p>

<p>-I'm intimidated by the arts scene at Yale. My overnight host gave me to understand that huge percentage of students take part in it, and I wouldn't want to be excluded just because there was such a surplus of talent. I wonder if I might not feel so intimidated at Princeton? On the other hand, I'd have more of a community at Yale? These are impressions that may indeed be false.</p>

<p>-I need a significant amount of "off" time--time when I can relax, be alone, read, stare into space, reflect. I love that I could take a quiet walk through Princeton on an evening. I like walking in cities, but it wouldn't be quite the same? I also get the impression that there is slightly less frenzy (and I use that word in the most neutral way possible--just commotion, excitement, hubbub) at Princeton than at Yale, if only by virtue of its suburban-hood.</p>

<p>-I am extremely goofy and have driven audiences to hysterics with my comedic monologues (wherever I go, I want to join an improv comedy troupe!). I like making a fool of myself. And I don't want to feel perpetually embarrassed. My overnight host at Yale also said that no one ever feels embarrassed at Yale--and I think that's wonderful. Perhaps Princetonians are more somber? Or more judgmental? I am unsure how much I believe the myths of the social competition at Princeton. I would love some reassurance in that respect.</p>

<p>-Grade deflation. I truly don't care how deflated my GPA is, only that there isn't a culture of competition, paranoia, despair, and whining on campus. I am not AT ALL blaming the undergraduates--obviously it has only to do with the administration--all I'm asking is how much the grade deflation policy affects campus life.</p>

<p>I would love anyone to weigh in on any of the issues I talked about above--thank you so much for helping me to figure out where I'll be next fall!</p>

<p>(Reposting this from the College Search and Selection board--thank you for all your help!)</p>

2

<p>I’m biased because I’ll be going to Princeton in the fall and hope I make friends with someone like you there (Tina Fey/slightly insecure writer–we’re the same person), so my vote goes to Princeton. </p>

<p>You can probably find plenty of down time places around Yale too. I’ve been to both and I would definitely say Princeton takes the cake in terms of relaxing nature-concentrated campus but there’s something pretty tranquil about Yale at 5 am that’s hard to beat. </p>

<p>Good luck making a decision!</p>

3

<p>Thank you Erika! I hope to see you in the fall! (I’m leaning very strongly toward Princeton:))</p>

4

<p>If you come to Princeton Preview, be sure to check out Quipfire (the improv comedy group)!</p>

5

<p>Oh count on it! I’ve been planning to audition since day 1:)</p>

6

<p>" a laid-conversationalist who idolizes Tina Fey" … when I saw that I said to myself, she sounds just like a Yalie. </p>

<p>Though I am at Harvard, my older sis went to Yale and I spent a lot of time there. The place just abounds with good, chill conversation (great intellectual atmosphere, much more so than Princeton), writers everywhere and something like 10 improv comedy groups. Lots of fantastic creative folks in the grad schools (like Drama) to hang out with. Music and theater out the wazoo. Great off campus coffee houses, bookstores for diversion.</p>

<p>I have spent a fair amount of time at Princeton, and it’s a fantastic school, but there is a lot less going on creatively in my obervation. The jocks/engineers and pre-Wall Street types dominate much more than they do at Yale.</p>

<p>Give Yale a good look and DO NOT consider a somewhat longer commute as a major selling point – that’s just silly!</p>

7

<p>

</p>

<p>Absolutely false.</p>

<p>The intellectual atmosphere at Princeton is unbelievably thriving, especially when you have controversial and diametrically opposed professors like George and Singer. If you want intellectualism, you will not have to go anywhere to find it.</p>

8

<p>My son has taken three semesters of creative writing at Princeton. Joyce Carol Oates. Jeffrey Eugenides. Small seminars. It is an amazing program.</p>

<p>Princeton gets quirker and more creative by the week. That said, it’s a little less so than Yale. </p>

<p>What stands out to me is that you need quiet. That’s why I chose Princeton 30 years ago. There is empty space on the lawns and for those of us who need space to think. Visit both places. You can’t go wrong.</p>

9

<p>

</p>

<p>Wow! I’m in awe!</p>

10

<p>We definitly have laid-back people too. My room over looks a volleyball court and there’s almost always people there with beach music to match:)</p>

11

<p>Commute was important in my decision making. Air fare and gas is expensive. I don’t know if that’s an issue for you like it was for me (led me to not even consider Harvard or Stanford, for example).</p>