<p>So I was accepted to Princeton as well as Columbia...I want to study politics and go to law school, maybe do some diplomacy or human rights law one day. Which should I choose? I'm leaning heavily towards Princeton because of prestige but Columbia has NYC, so...I'm Hispanic, so there's that, NYC is much more diverse, but apparently almost 45% of Princeton is composed of students of color...all in all, what do you guys think? I can't visit either so the decision is hard. Where will I fit in and what place will give me more opportunities?</p>
<p>Both Columbia and Princeton have excellent politics programs, but Princeton's is ultimately superior in terms of faculty quality and especially accessibility. One professor I recently spoke with who went to Columbia (granted, he studied philosophy and went there in the early 1990s) said that the difference in professor-student closeness between the two schools is shocking. He said that students wouldn't even think of inviting a professor to dinner there, whereas at Princeton the practice is common and basically institutionalized through dinner discussion clubs. I've consistently found that professors here (including and especially in politics) are extraordinarily friendly and accessible to undergraduates. So if that matters to you, I'd say go for Princeton.</p>
<p>Also consider the (huge) differences in academic requirements. Columbia has the Core, Princeton does not. This has a ripple effect on the sorts of classes people take, what students know, etc. This is obviated by the fact that Princeton has the humanities program, which is similar to the core if you want to take it; but, as a general rule, you can't expect most Princetonians to know about classics in literature, history, philosophy, etc.</p>
<p>Admission to law school is a wash. Each school will prepare you equally well, and each has effectively the same prestige. It is, for better or worse, basically contingent upon GPA and LSAT score at this level.</p>
<p>As for diversity, you won't have a problem at Princeton: it is plenty diverse. It was rated, for instance, the</a> number two college for Latinos by one magazine.</p>
<p>Finally, although Princeton is indeed not New York, there are opportunities to attend cultural events in the city. If you really want to live in an urban environment, of course, perhaps Princeton is not the right choice. But if you don't mind suburbia, then don't let it strongly affect your decision.</p>
<p>Princeton is marginally more prestigious than Columbia, but I would only say "Harvard" has a leg up on ANY school....name wise ;) Columbia Poly Sci is traditionally very strong.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/05/03/political_science.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.columbia.edu/cu/news/05/03/political_science.html</a> is truly more prestigious.</p>
<p>Also, really visit the two schools and see what you think about the Eating Clubs.</p>
<p>Princeton > Columbia any day.</p>
<p>but what about the grade deflation? if both schools are about the same in admissions to law school...wouldn't grade deflation hurt you?</p>
<p>Unfortunately Princeton, over the past few years and over the next few years, is implementing heavy grade deflation (being met by futile resistance from some of the faculty). When my brother was there, he was in the bottom half of his class and getting B+s
That would be completely different now.
Columbia, as a whole, is more fun. You've got NYC, and since you're hispanic I think you would probably like it more there. At Princeton, the only other hispanic people are the ones in the school. At Columbia, you have all of NYC to look at.</p>
<p>2007 Hispanic Magazine Top Colleges For Latinos</p>
<p>Hispanic</a> Magazine</p>
<p>Actually, there is a large Hispanic community in the Princeton area and an even larger one ten minutes away in Trenton though, of course, NYC is just larger in every way!</p>
<p>Grade deflation is something in which many Princeton students take a certain pride and graduates acceptance rates at the top graduate schools in the country have actually increased since the policy was put into effect.</p>
<p>Both Columbia and Princeton have powerful political science departments. At the undergraduate level youll get a great education at either. Princetons Woodrow Wilson School is a particular magnet for those planning a career in politics.</p>
<p>Here are the most recent 2005 (primarily reputational) rankings of graduate programs from USNWR. Individual departments may have strengthened or weakened since this was created:</p>
<p>Search</a> - Political Science - Best Graduate Schools - Education - US News and World Report</p>
<p>I'm going to Princeton, but that's because I like the area. It's laid back. If you like the city and more energy-filled stuff, then Columbia is what you want. Academic wise, although Princeton's known to be a bit better, it really depends on the kind of campus and location you like</p>
<p>Academic-wise...ok ;) At the undergrad level minute differences between the two (both ways) are trivial. Also, if you attend Columbia you do have the benefit of SIPA=Woodrow Wilson School and the other top grad professional schools that Columbia offers, e.g. Law, Business, Journalism etc. See which school you like by visiting for a day or weekend, and then decide.</p>
<p>anyone else? I'm not convinced either way...:/</p>
<p>heart - what kinds of things do you do for fun?</p>
<p>for fun, I suppose I'd be involved in activities like writing for a magazine, political activism, or just hanging out. I read your post on that thread about social life, and it sounds about right. I don't mind eating clubs and will probably join a sign-in club, but I'm good just hanging out too.</p>
<p>OP:
academically you'll do fine at either place
socially you'll do fine at either place (altho I think of Columbia, not Princeton, whenI hear "political activism")</p>
<p>the main difference is the setting</p>
<p>Columbia = campus within a major urban environment; it is a defined campus, but you're right in the city; easy transportation; easy to be distracted by all that NYC has to offer</p>
<p>Princeton = rural campus, with access to NYC or Phillie (about an hour); small upscale shops nearby; mainstream stores (Target etc) are accessible but not within walking distance</p>
<p>So, the question is: Do you want to be in a pretty setting, secluded from the world (ie, Princeton), or do you want to be within walking distance of an urban world???</p>
<p>And do you want your social locus to be your university, and as such in some ways large, or your group of friends, and then, in some ways, smaller?</p>
<p>Columbia's social life does apparently fragment into smaller groups that blend into the city night. At Princeton the groups are visible and findable. It is really really hard to be lonely at Princeton.</p>
<p>On the other hand, it is possible that Columbia has more political activism. Princeton is liberal, but clean cut in ethos, if that makes sense. I did go to school with someone who has since become very involved in immigration and another in organic cashew farming in Costa Rica but they were a little unique.</p>