<p>Re your last question, I trust you are aware that NYC is considered by many to be the cultural capital of the United States. It's not about shopping.</p>
<p>My d was making the same decision you are and she opted for the more intense campus culture of Princeton. She loved the quad at Columbia but did not like the idea that after freshman year you may end up living several blocks away from it. She did find lots going on on the Columbia campus and plenty of support for and enthusiasm about campus groups. Both schools offer all sorts of trips to NYC cultural and sporting events. </p>
<p>She was interested in the Core at Columbia but knew that Princeton offered a humanities sequence as well as freshman seminars that were also appealing and were, by contrast, all taught by senior faculty. She worried that the Core would take up so many course slots she would not be able to explore; Princeton has distribution requirements, but these are pretty broad and easy to fulfill. Princeton has a larger endowment and more funding for travel abroad, etc. My d was very attracted to the senior thesis opportunity at Princeton and there is funding for travel to do research for it. </p>
<p>Columbia, being in Manhattan though far uptown, is convenient for internships in the arts, media, and finance; Princeton students do these in NYC also, but in smaller numbers during the school year and more often over the summer. Both schools have sororities and fraternities that attract students who never thought they would go Greek, but I think it's fair to say that Princeton's social life offers more of a "scene." If you are into events like formal or semiformal dances, etc., you will find those at Princeton. My d figured after college she would live in NYC, wear black, etc. ;) There is a huge Princeton alumni community in NYC (and obviously at Columbia), which means lots of networking opportunities. Columbia's quad has beautiful architecture but my d found the Princeton campus lovely and inspiring, and although Manhattan is very safe if you know where to go, as a prospective undergrad she appreciated Princeton's safety.</p>
<p>If you are involved in extracurriculars at Princeton (a big way people make friends) you will never be bored at Princeton. The biggest problem is finding time for all the activities, events, speakers, trips, etc. available. Many of the faculty and visiting faculty live in NYC, so you are definitely not isolated.</p>
<p>I suggest you visit before making a decision. I am sharing with you my d's reactions but there is no right answer to your question. I think my d perceived a higher energy level at Princeton, but you'd be wise to do your own exploring in person.</p>