<p>I would really appreciate objective advise. </p>
<p>I have grown up in Princeton my entire life; my dad is on the faculty, and my parents have long raised me to go to Princeton (I go to a local Princeton feeder school). I had always imagined myself in the Princeton P-rades growing up. They say that Princeton has some of the best reunions/alumni network in the world. </p>
<p>I applied to Yale early just to keep my options open, but I was deferred, and put that idea away. </p>
<p>Now I have been accepted into Yale. I have visited both preview weekends, and there are so many great things to take away. I am considering doing premed and maybe chemical engineering. The programs are both great, and I think we would just be splitting hairs. </p>
<p>My loyalty lies to the Princeton (almost all of my friends are/have committed there). But I feel that if there was one place to leave Princeton for, it would be Yale, where the undergrad focus is no weaker, and I would have the chance to face new challenges and discover myself. If I turn down Princeton, I feel that I would throw away all of my childhood dreams, but if I turn down Yale, I feel that I would give up that one chance to go out and discover myself. </p>
<p>As a parent, I encourage you to embrace the opportunity to “go out and discover yourself” in New Haven. You already have your arms around Princeton. There’s much to be said for experiencing college away from what’s known and comfortable. Your love for and ties to Princeton won’t diminish.</p>
<p>Funny, my child who gets along well with both parents tells me he won’t apply to any of the great universities *in our home state *since he wants to venture out from where he grew up. There are some new challenges and maturity that come with not being that close to home.</p>
<p>Well, you won’t get objective advice here or on the Princeton board.</p>
<p>I suggest you post your query on the Parent’s forum or on the Harvard forum. </p>
<p>I predict that the overwhelming advice you’ll get from objective sources will be to go to Yale. But then I cannot claim to be objective in the Princeton v Yale dilemma. My daughter faced that choice last year and she chose Yale. It wasn’t even close.</p>
<p>Going to Yale is NOT your one chance to go out and discover yourself. That said, I would talk to your parents and also analyze if there is a $ differential as your dad is on faculty. Both are good schools. Princeton could both feel safe and claustrophobic. Yale could be both exciting and alien. There is not a bad choice here.</p>
<p>I was in pretty much the same spot as you are last year at this time. I was a Princeton legacy who had gotten into Yale and fallen in love with it and had a testy dad to deal with’ Here’s my plea for help last year on CC:</p>
<p>A year later, all I can say is that Yale has exceeded my expectations – I just love the place. There is such a diversity of people here and such a general spirit of kindness and helpfulness it’s hard to describe.</p>
<p>I won’t let this become a Y is better than P rant, because I don’t think it fundamentally is. It is just obvious to me that “breaking away” will do so much for you, even if it is only about 125 miles. Trust me, a year from now you will be a happy camper in New Haven, and will barely remember the anguishing decision you now face.</p>
<p>By the way, Dad has calmed down, and I even got him to wear a Yale cap once. He’s slowly turning …</p>
<p>Both are extraordinary schools and you are blessed to be in this predicament!</p>
<p>Look at the rankings of the disciplines you want to major in…and look at the track record for jobs etc.
Consider the financial impact of the two.
Princeton Junction is lovely. Like Camelot!
New Haven is grittier.
Y’s residential college system offers something you won’t get at P.</p>
<p>“”
Look at the rankings of the disciplines you want to major in…and look at the track record for jobs etc.
“”</p>
<p>Really not important for undergrad - Yale and Princeton are both amazing.</p>
<p>Other points are valid though.</p>
<p>At which place did you feel more at home? Getting away from home, from your old group of friends, all the people you knew in Princeton would be very good imo…</p>
<p>Princeton felt very familiar…almost a little claustrophobic because I recognized so many faces and buildings. </p>
<p>Yale felt new and exciting, a little overwhelming at times; at the same time it strange not being in Princeton - but I sense that I wouldn’t necessarily feel this way in two months.</p>
<p>Here’s an article somewhat sympathetic towards Princeton. It is several years old, and somewhat out of date (e.g., Yale does offer free WiFi to visitors), but perhaps some of the points are still valid:</p>
<p>All students at Yale begin their freshman year as members of a residential college, living with other members of their college. They continue this living arrangement for all 4 years, unless they choose to move off campus. Even if they do, they are still members and have access to all facilities.</p>
<p>If you went to boarding school then my advice may be different as you would have had the chance to develop an independent sense of self (sorry I am a Kohutian analyst ) but if you have lived home then often it is time to stretch your wings-- even more importantly to discover that when you get into a bit of hot water that you can bail your self out and will be ok. Unless you are the unusual kid that can truly make the psychological break even though it is so easy to call and say you will be bringing over the wash and how about a home cooked meal then a large past of the college experience which is to fail and discover that life does not end will be lost.</p>
<p>That said, I have know professors’ kids who have done well–but they and their parents adhere to very strict ground rules.</p>
<p>What kind of tuition break do you get because your dad is on the faculty? I like Yale better, but that might make the difference. They are both great schools.</p>
<p>As a parent, I would encourage you to forge your own path and go to Yale! You will discover things about yourself that you might not if you stay within the comforts of your second home, Princeton. Good luck, no bad choices here!</p>
<p>Another parent here. Both are great schools, and if $ is a factor then I would stick with Princeton. Otherwise, I have to weigh in on the side of those who say ‘try something new.’ We live in Boston and made an agreement with D that she would not even apply to anything w/in 50 miles of home (= no Harvard, no MIT). In the end, she chose Yale and couldn’t be happier.</p>
<p>i’m trying to make the same decision as you, johnyonthespot96. it’s a tough one, isn’t it? i </p>
<p>given that you’ve grown up in princeton, i’d have to say that if your parents can afford the full tuition at yale, i’d go there if i were you. i guess the faculty tuition mustn’t be a deal-breaker, because you wouldn’t be posting if that were the case. </p>
<p>as for me, I still haven’t decided. today i’m leaning toward yale, mostly because of the enthusiasm and warmth of the students during bulldog days. but i’m still thinking it over, and am not completely sure that will be my final choice.</p>
) but if you have lived home then often it is time to stretch your wings-- even more importantly to discover that when you get into a bit of hot water that you can bail your self out and will be ok. Unless you are the unusual kid that can truly make the psychological break even though it is so easy to call and say you will be bringing over the wash and how about a home cooked meal then a large past of the college experience which is to fail and discover that life does not end will be lost.</p>