<p>Hi What are the main differences between undergrad Princeton and Columbia? Since these two have very similiar admission statistics, I am not sure for which I should apply for early admissions. I know Columbia is located in New York City and has a core curriculum, but any other differences that are striking between the two? </p>
<p>I know there are previous graduates from my school who have gone to Columbia but haven't heard anyone to Princeton. So should I try out for columbia then?</p>
<p>I think you need to read the schools' respective websites and do a little research in your local library. Princeton and Columbia are strikingly different schools, and only idiots would base their choices on admissions statistics.</p>
<p>You really ought to visit both before making your decision. Kelly_'010 is very much right in saying that Columbia and Princeton are extremely different schools. You'll probably find one much more to your liking than the other.</p>
<p>First, location (which you mentioned)...Princeton's in a small town that's equidistant from two of America's largest cities (NYC and Philly), while Columbia is in Manhattan. Second, Princeton's better : ). Third, I think Princeton as more of the place to go if you want to go into scientific research (like becoming a professor), though that's certainly not always the case, and Columbia as a place for journalists and writers. That's not a hard and fast rule, and a huge generalization, but perhaps someone would like to correct me if this is totally off base???</p>
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Third, I think Princeton as more of the place to go if you want to go into scientific research (like becoming a professor), though that's certainly not always the case, and Columbia as a place for journalists and writers. That's not a hard and fast rule, and a huge generalization, but perhaps someone would like to correct me if this is totally off base???
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<p>That is off-base. Columbia's journalism school is the best in the country, but it's graduate-only. Undergraduates at both institutions go on to a wide variety of careers--there is no real tilt at Princeton toward those seeking academic careers nor any at Columbia toward those seeking journalism careers.</p>
<p>Bravo, GR Elton. OP, you simply must go visit the two schools and learn as much about them as you can. You won't find any unbiased information here.</p>
<p>Yes, as everyone else has said before, visit the schools. I was in a similar position when deciding what school to attend. Columbia is great, NYC is awsome (for some people), and the Juilliard joint program is very alluring. However the lack of an authentic "college community" turned me off. But that's just my opinion.</p>
<p>I was kind of joking, kind of serious. Columbia offered my family NO financial aid whatsoever...not even loans, which is funny because the tuition for one year is about half as much money as my parents make combined. Meanwhile, Princeton gave plenty (and i mean plenty) of money in the form of grants</p>
<p>'yoke' as in both 'you meant it was a "joke" ' and 'yoke' as in "Columbia's meager financial aid makes a much greater burden". Double entendre, you see. </p>
<p>As I see it, Columbia can and will manage to offer less financial aid to middle class ppl because so many students from middle class families are breaking down the doors to go to school in the big city. Apparently being in the middle class these days is the same as being a millionaire. They fail to understand that the poverty line is an emergency threshold, and that people who are somewhat above it may still need a good amount of assistance, especially those who live in larger families and with other kids going to college.</p>
<p>I'm in the exact same boat as you man! I narrowed 25 schools down to these two. I want to be a lawyer, and I wan tto attend a great law school, so I dont know which school will help me do that. Sadly, the only reason I would want to go to Princeton is the fact that they are ranked 1 in the nation/world and the academic quality is A+ is Columbia much different?</p>
<p>Don't make the mistake of choosing a school of relatively comparable quality and reputation for its ranking...if everything about the Columbia experience appeals to you more, you'll be a more satisfied college student and probably more successful in the long run.</p>
<p>The two main differences I immediately think of are (1) the very very different settings and (2) the undergraduate v. graduate focus. Columbia puts a lot into their many graduate schools, while Princeton is dedicated primarily to its undergraduate programs.</p>
<p>uh oh... well the only reason princeton appealed to me was because they don't look at freshman year and the academics are good... no school is perfect.. imagine putting stanfords grade inflation, ucla weather and beaches, maybe Columbia's location in NYC, and Princeton's academics.... I'll guarantee you that school will never go below rank 1 . : ) </p>