<p>We visited Princeton with our daughter yesterday. She left feeling frightened by the whole experience. The emphasis at the information session was what can the student do for Princeton. Her other college visits were more to the tune of , what the university could do for the student. I know the competition is high for Princeton and she still has some interest and excitement about applying there but as a parent I felt that Princeton is all about work, producing a publish worthy senior thesis, and a who you know place rather than a nurturing place for someone to grow and enter the world as a young adult. The tour leader who was very enthusiastic about Princeton, said the juniors have little time to go abroad, write 2 junior papers, so most don't have the time to study abroad. The school schedule is also very different from other universities.
Please tell me the students are not overly stressed and have time to enjoy extracurricular activities. I'm just trying to keep everything in perspective for her as a concerned parent.</p>
<p>Like most schools, Princeton is all about each student finding the correct balance. There is no doubt that the workload is demanding, probably more so than most schools. But there is ample opportunity for extracurricular activities, particularly for students who manage their time well. Some students do cut back on their outside activities as juniors and seniors as they focus on their junior papers and senior thesis. Study abroad is not as prevalent as at many other institutions, but I believe about 10% of students study aboard, with a high percentage of students in the Woodrow Wilson School taking advantage of the opportunity to study at places like Oxford. My observation is that Princeton offers many and varied supports for students. Probably the best testimony to the quality of undergraduate experience at Princeton is the fanatical loyalty of its alumni.
Princeton is not for everyone, but I would not dismiss it for fear that your daughter will lack either a nurturing environment or opportunities for enriching experiences outside of the classroom.</p>
<p>Way nurturing. I have a D who writes for the paper, dances in a dance group, belongs to an eating club and does pretty dang well in school. Of the most selectives, it has to be the most friendly. </p>
<p>Not kidding.</p>
<p>It isn't for everyone. If you want to be in a city, or you prize edgy over all else, you will hate it there.</p>
<p>Kids don't study abroad because they like it too much on campus.</p>
<p>Not kidding.</p>
<p>Yours, fanatical alumna and v. happy mom of sophomore.</p>
<p>i met a girl just yesterday who went to princeton. she had always planned to study abroad, but she almost didn't because she loved being on campus. she ended up having to force herself to go to oxford for a semester because she was having such a great time at princeton. she said multiple times that she was jealous of me for being an incoming freshman- her princeton years were the best of her life. she was incredibly genuine and definitely dispelled any doubts i had.</p>
<p>oh yeah, and when i visited in september i stayed with some students and i was really surprised at how laid back they were. they stayed at dinner for a long time just talking and joking, and then they hung out in a dorm and walked around and stuff... i don't even remember them mentioning homework or anything.</p>
<p>Not sure what you mean about Princeton being a place where it's about whom you know. </p>
<p>As others have said, students often don't choose to study internationally during junior year, but it is extremely common to study or work abroad over the summer, and there are many programs to help students organize and fund that. </p>
<p>It is true that the thesis and jp are stressful, but alumni regularly describe these as some of their most important academic experiences. Princeton students are really good at having fun. I wouldn't worry about that. In part I think maybe what you got a dose of on that tour was the administration's attempt to portray the campus in a certain way, because they feel its reputation is that it's too social and lighthearted. Yes, Princeton students work hard, and they enjoy leading and participating in a wide variety of organizations, but they're a bunch of young people on a gorgeous campus, enjoying the springtime even while finishing up their theses. There is an energy level at Princeton that a student either welcomes or feels uncomfortable with.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input. I guess when we were on the tour the student was too impressed with who's son and daughter went there, and how many papers there were to write but never showed us a dorm, eating hall or any social place. So we got the feeling that it was all work. The information session was not laid back, nor reassuring. Guess we didn't go on a good day. I have several friends who went to Princeton and visited many weekends from my school in D.C. during college. Knowing them I thought Princeton was worth looking at. I feel my daughter is capable and seems to want to be challenged and stimulated intellectually. I thought Princeton was like that but was hoping that it would also keep her socially stimulated as well. She is not a partier (happy to say) and is a bit reserved and I don't want to see her locked in a library for 4 years. Words from current students are very helpful. Thanks again.</p>
<p>Princeton also does not know how to say NO to a student. If the student wants to do something academically different they will let him/her do that. This year my son a sophmore wanted to get involved in reasearch. Three prof. would have him (no money). He wanted to take a course, but didn't have the prerequisit. No problem. He wrote the professor that he would work on his own and was allowed to take the class. The kids are amazing. One of his friend is in Engineering, but he also is in one of the dance companies. Yes and they do work hard.</p>
<p>I'm a current freshman at Princeton and people definitely know how to balance their lives to include both work and play (with perhaps a greater emphasis on the latter). The nature of so many of the extracurriculars at Princeton is that they are addicting, so students spend a lot of time in them and have a blast. As only a freshman, I've already become involved in some four or five extracurriculars and can never decide to cut any of them, because they are just so enjoyable. Grade grubbing (except maybe for premeds :p ) is basically dead and frowned upon. It's a refreshing change from high school.</p>